Current members
* Jamey Jasta – vocals (1994-present)
* Chris Beattie – bass guitar (1994-present)
* Wayne Lozinak – guitar (1994–1996, 2009-present)
* Matt Byrne – drums (2000-present)
* Frank Novinec – guitar (2005-present)
Former members
* Larry Dwyer, Jr. – guitar (1994–1996)
* Dave Russo – drums (1994–1996)
* Matt McIntosh – guitar (1996–1999)
* Jamie "Pushbutton" Muckinhaupt – drums (1997–1999)
* Lou "Boulder" Richards (deceased) – guitar (1997–2002)
* F. Sean Martin – guitar (2000–2009)
Studio albums
* Satisfaction Is the Death of Desire (1997)
* Perseverance (2002)
* The Rise of Brutality (2003)
* Supremacy (2006)
* For the Lions (2009)
* Hatebreed (2009)
* The Divinity of Purpose (2013)
* The Concrete Confessional (2016)
* Weight of the False Self (2020)
Bitter Truth
Hatebreed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How many ways to fail
How many ways to die too soon
You can't choose one it chooses you
Some of the choices, we make
All along the way, can destroy us
The bitter truth cuts both ways
The stories written in our eyes
I'd rather suffer for the truth
Than prosper from a lies
How many ways to judge me
How many places to wash ashore
How many ways to feel nothing again
Another mistake I once thought was a friend
Some of the choices, we make
All along the way, can destroy us
The bitter truth cuts both ways
The stories written in our eyes
I'd rather suffer from the truth
Than prosper from a lie
The bitter truth cuts both ways
The bitter truth cuts both ways
The bitter truth cuts both ways
The bitter truth cuts both ways
Some of the choices, we make
All along the way, can destroy us
The bitter truth cuts both ways
Some of the choices, we make
All along the way, can destroy us
The bitter truth cuts both ways
In "Bitter Truth," the American metal band Hatebreed explores the concept of choice and how it can affect an individual's life. The lyrics suggest that although people have the power to choose their paths in life, some of the choices they make can be self-destructive. The opening lines describe the different ways that people can meet their end, from failing to dying too soon, invoking a sense of helplessness and inevitability.
The song's refrain repeatedly emphasizes the idea that the "bitter truth cuts both ways," suggesting that it is equally painful to both face the truth and to live in a lie. The song seems to advocate for the former, with the lyric "I'd rather suffer from the truth than prosper from a lie." The bridge of the song introduces the idea of judgment and washing ashore, perhaps referencing the idea of being punished or cast out from a community if one's choices lead to negative consequences.
Overall, "Bitter Truth" is a powerful anthem that speaks to the struggles that people face in making choices and taking responsibility for their actions. It encourages listeners to confront the truth head-on, even if it might be painful.
Line by Line Meaning
How many ways to languish
There are countless ways to feel hopeless and dispirited
How many ways to fail
There are numerous ways to fall short and disappoint ourselves
How many ways to die too soon
There are infinite ways to lose our lives earlier than expected
You can't choose one it chooses you
We can't always control the negative experiences that befall us
Some of the choices, we make
Some of the decisions we make
All along the way, can destroy us
Throughout our journey, some of these decisions can bring us down
The bitter truth cuts both ways
The harsh reality can affect us positively or negatively
The stories written in our eyes
Our experiences are evident in the way we express ourselves
I'd rather suffer for the truth
I would rather face the consequences of reality
Than prosper from a lies
As opposed to gaining from deceit
How many ways to judge me
There are endless ways to criticize and assess me
How many places to wash ashore
There are countless places we can end up lost and adrift
How many ways to feel nothing again
There are various methods of becoming numb and indifferent
Another mistake I once thought was a friend
Someone I wrongly trusted who turned out to be an error in judgment
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: CHRIS BEATTIE, JAMEY JASTA, MATTHEW P. BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind