No One's Listening
Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

They painted up your secrets
With the lies they told to you
And the least they ever gave you
Was the most you ever knew

And I wonder where these dreams go
When the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming?
No one's listening anyway

Your voice is small and fading
And you're hiding here alone
And your mother loves your father
'Cause she's got nowhere to go

And she wonders where these dreams go
'Cause the world got in her way
What's the point in ever trying?
Nothing's changing anyway

They press their lips against you
And you love the lies they say
And I tried so hard to reach you
But you're falling anyway

And you know I see right through you
'Cause the world gets in your way




What's the point in all this screaming?
You're not listening anyway

Overall Meaning

In "Acoustic #3," the Goo Goo Dolls sing about disillusionment and the ways in which people's secrets are manipulated by others. The first verse acknowledges that people's secrets are often exploited through lies and deceit, but even in the face of this, people tend to hold onto the little bits of knowledge they have rather than risking losing it all. This is reflected in the line, "the least they ever gave you was the most you ever knew."


The chorus questions the value of dreams when the world seems determined to stomp them out. The question "what's the point in all this screaming?" suggests a frustration with trying to be heard and understood, particularly when we feel alone and unsupported. This is emphasized in the second verse, where the singer describes feeling ignored and isolated. The line "nothing's changing anyway" suggests a sense of hopelessness - no matter how much we try, the world will continue to be indifferent to our struggles.


The song's bridge describes the insidiousness of manipulation and the ways in which people can be complicit in their own mistreatment. The line "you love the lies they say" suggests that sometimes, we want to believe in a false reality or narrative, even if that means ignoring the truth. The singer acknowledges that he has tried to help the person he is addressing, but ultimately they seem to be too far gone.


Overall, "Acoustic #3" is a poignant commentary on the frustrations of trying to make our voices heard in a world that often seems indifferent to our struggles.


Line by Line Meaning

They painted up your secrets
Your hidden or private truths were distorted with lies by others around you


With the lies they told to you
The people around you constantly fed you with lies and untruths


And the least they ever gave you
The littlest amount of truth or support was given to you


Was the most you ever knew
The little information you had previously was already the most you could acquire


And I wonder where these dreams go
I am curious about where your dreams disappear when life becomes complicated


When the world gets in your way
When life and its problems obstruct your path to success


What's the point in all this screaming?
Why bother shouting and crying when nobody seems to care or pay attention?


No one's listening anyway
Nobody is genuinely interested in hearing or understanding your problems


Your voice is small and fading
Your voice becomes feeble and insignificant over time


And you're hiding here alone
You choose to isolate yourself and conceal your feelings


And your mother loves your father
Your mother remains with your father not out of genuine love, but because she has nowhere else to go


'Cause she's got nowhere to go
She has run out of options and has to settle for what she has


And she wonders where these dreams go
She, too, is puzzled as to where her dreams have gone in life


'Cause the world got in her way
Life's challenges and obstacles have impeded her progress in accomplishing her dreams


What's the point in ever trying?
Why bother making an effort when nothing ever changes?


Nothing's changing anyway
Regardless of any efforts, the situation remains the same without any progress


They press their lips against you
Others try to manipulate or deceive you by acting lovingly with false promises


And you love the lies they say
Hiding behind the charming façade are lies that you deliberately choose to believe


And I tried so hard to reach you
I put forth a great effort to approach you and assist, but it was of no avail


But you're falling anyway
But then you still choose to fall for the same calculated manipulations


And you know I see right through you
You are fully aware that I understand the reality of these lies behind the deceptive mask


'Cause the world gets in your way
The burdensome weight of life's problems makes it difficult for you to make the right choices


What's the point in all this screaming?
Raising voices and making noise is pointless when nobody is attentive to the real issues


You're not listening anyway
Even if you claim otherwise, your actions prove that you are not ready to accept or hear the truth




Contributed by Gabriel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

CaptLateNight

They painted up your secrets
With the lies they told to you
And the least they ever gave you
Was the most you ever knew
And I wonder where these dreams go
When the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming
No one's listening anyway
Your voice is small and fading
And you hide in here unknown
And your mother loves your father
'Cause she's got nowhere to go
And she wonders where these dreams go
'Cause the world got in her way
What's the point in ever trying
Nothing's changing anyway
They press their lips against you
And you love the lies they say
And I tried so hard to reach you
But you're falling anyway
And you know I see right through you
'Cause the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming
You're not listening anyway



All comments from YouTube:

Kelliann O'Flanagan

Am I the only soul that wishes there were like 50 more lines in this hauntingly beautiful melody????!!!

Tiffy Jean

no ur not

Katlyn Klassen

Short is what makes it bes

Rachel Fay

Pandemic Year 3 She Got A Divorce

Jennifer Hendrickson

You're not. This is one of my very favs by them (amongst many favs, but this one is near top of the heap). It's just gorgeous and unforgettable.

Annie Kotich

You’re right, so understated. Love !

2 More Replies...

Daniella Taylor Kelly

This literally got me through some of the toughest times when I was a teen growing up in a volatile household.

Dmnthygtshlds2

That's beautiful I'm glad you discovered it when you did

CaptLateNight

They painted up your secrets
With the lies they told to you
And the least they ever gave you
Was the most you ever knew
And I wonder where these dreams go
When the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming
No one's listening anyway
Your voice is small and fading
And you hide in here unknown
And your mother loves your father
'Cause she's got nowhere to go
And she wonders where these dreams go
'Cause the world got in her way
What's the point in ever trying
Nothing's changing anyway
They press their lips against you
And you love the lies they say
And I tried so hard to reach you
But you're falling anyway
And you know I see right through you
'Cause the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming
You're not listening anyway

Christopher

The best Goo Goo Dolls song most have never heard.

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