Valerie
OFFICE - The Weeknd Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

There comes a time in a man's life
Where he must take responsibility
For the choices he has made
And there are certain things that he must do
Things that he must say

Like I love you
And I need you
I only want you
And nobody's going to know if it's true, ooh

I never thought I'd feel this kind of hesitation (to put)
My hand on another girl
I wish I didn't have to lie
I wish I could let you know

'Cause I love you
And I need you
I only want you
And nobody's going to know if it's true

Valerie (oh, Valerie)
I know you can see through me
(I know you can see through my lies)
Valerie (oh, Valerie)
You just choose to never know
(No, you just don't know what I do, what I do, oh, Valerie)
Valerie
Why pretend to trust in me?
(I don't know why you try to trust in me baby, but I think I know)
Valerie (I know, Valerie)
You'd rather this than be alone, oh, oh, oh

'Cause I love you
Woah, and I need you
I only want you, oh
And nobody's going to know if it's true, Oh
'Cause I love you, ooh
And I need you
I only want you, ooh
And nobody's going to know if it's true

And I love you
'Cause I love you baby
And I need you
When I need, need




I only want you
And nobody gonna know, ooh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Valerie" by The Weeknd explore themes of responsibility, honesty, and the struggle of balancing personal desires with the commitment to a romantic partner. The song reflects on a moment of internal conflict experienced by the singer, where he realizes the importance of taking responsibility for his actions and the choices he has made.


The opening lines set the stage for introspection and self-reflection, as the singer acknowledges his need to take responsibility. He understands that there are certain things he must do and say, such as expressing love and commitment to his partner, to maintain a healthy relationship.


The chorus reveals the singer's struggle with deception and his desire for honesty. He expresses hesitancy in engaging with other women and wishes he didn't have to lie. The repetition of "I love you" and "I need you" emphasizes his genuine feelings for his partner. However, the lines "And nobody's going to know if it's true" suggest that he feels the need to keep his loyalty hidden, potentially due to fear of judgment or a desire to preserve his independence.


The bridge section brings a specific person, Valerie, into the narrative. Valerie seems to possess a deep understanding of the singer's true self, as indicated by the lyric "I know you can see through me." However, the singer hints that Valerie chooses to ignore certain aspects of him, possibly to avoid confronting the truth of his actions. The lyrics also touch on the fragile trust within their relationship, with the singer questioning Valerie's decision to trust him despite his behavior.


Ultimately, the song highlights the conflict within the singer's emotions. He professes love and the desire for honesty, but he also acknowledges the complexities and contradictions of his actions. The lyrics depict a struggle between loyalty, personal desires, and the fear of loneliness.


Line by Line Meaning

There comes a time in a man's life
At some point in a person's life


Where he must take responsibility
They must acknowledge their actions


For the choices he has made
For the decisions they have made


And there are certain things that he must do
There are specific actions they must take


Things that he must say
Words that need to be expressed


Like I love you
Expressing deep affection


And I need you
Revealing a dependency


I only want you
Desiring solely one person


And nobody's going to know if it's true, ooh
It will remain a secret


I never thought I'd feel this kind of hesitation
Unexpected doubt has emerged


My hand on another girl
Touching someone else in a romantic manner


I wish I didn't have to lie
Desiring honesty


I wish I could let you know
Wanting to disclose the truth


'Cause I love you
Because of intense affection


And I need you
And the reliance on the person


I only want you
The exclusive desire for the person


And nobody's going to know if it's true
And no one will discover the authenticity


Valerie (oh, Valerie)
Addressing the person named Valerie


I know you can see through me
Aware that the person perceives the truth


(I know you can see through my lies)
(I know you can perceive my deception)


You just choose to never know
They deliberately avoid knowing


(No, you just don't know what I do, what I do, oh, Valerie)
(No, you are unaware of my actions)


Valerie
Referring to the person named Valerie


Why pretend to trust in me?
Questioning the act of feigning trust


(I don't know why you try to trust in me baby, but I think I know)
(I don't understand why you attempt to trust me, but I have a suspicion)


Valerie (I know, Valerie)
Valerie, I understand


You'd rather this than be alone, oh, oh, oh
They prefer this situation over solitude


'Cause I love you
Because of deep affection


Woah, and I need you
And the dependency on the person


I only want you, oh
The exclusive desire for the person


And nobody's going to know if it's true, Oh
And no one will discover the authenticity


'Cause I love you, ooh
Because of intense affection


And I need you
And the reliance on the person


I only want you, ooh
The exclusive desire for the person


And nobody's going to know if it's true
And no one will discover the authenticity


And I love you
And I deeply love you


'Cause I love you baby
Because I love you, my dear


And I need you
And I rely on you


When I need, need
During times of necessity


I only want you
My sole desire is you


And nobody gonna know, ooh
And no one will find out, ooh




Lyrics © ANTHEM ENTERTAINMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ABEL TESFAYE, MARTIN DANIEL MCKINNEY, CARLO MONTAGNESE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@ani.xvi_6970

Twenty eight - the song title itself, has a double entendre. Firstly, there are twenty eight grams in one ounce of cocaine.
Abel is known to be a user so
this could be of reference to his drugs. Secondly, twenty eight is officially the first bonus track of HOB (27 songs altogether in HOB/EOS/THURSDAY with twenty eight being the 28th bonus and last song from HOB.

Video interpretation - the girl on the bed represents valarie “I left my girl back home” valarie is depicted in this menacing ghostly figure haunting Abel throughout the video in which at the end he is seen walking back to her. In this way, valarie also represents his old OG fans - without us, Abel wouldn’t be where he is, so in a way he is thankful to us but also upset because the fame won’t leave him.

The nude women - represent the mainstream world, they only want him for his fame and he doesn’t seem phased by it. He simply just sits back and observes them, he sees these females as sexual objects, to feel good and nothing more. In the lines “Hey, there lonely girl did you have to tell your friends about the way I got you screaming my name” - a literal reference to his older fans. Abel wishes that his fans kept his music on the “down low” because now he can’t get out of the spotlight. Similarly, this can be used as a sexual reference to females sharing their encounters with their friends.

The Line - “I shouldve left you in the Club” has two meanings. A) his fans, they could’ve been the “one” if they didn’t share his music w the world. B) cocaine, Abel being a heavy cocaine user can’t get enough of it, his addiction is following into his everyday life and he can’t escape it.

Lastly, the interview - Abel has never been the type to hold interveiws and hates being in the public eye. With his first performance being the Toronto mod club July 2011, He didn’t think he would blow up. From House of balloons, no one even knew what he looked like. After the ‘girl’ (his fans) shared his music with the world, he is receiving this unnecessary undivided attention in which he doesn’t not show any interest to. Towards the end of the video he rolls his eyes. - This, showing how being in the spotlight and media bores him.

This being my very first Abel song (since I was 11/12) holds a very close place to my heart. So, this is my analysis on the video.



@neer_chaudhary_17

Certainly, here's a breakdown of each line:

1. "His house is not a home to you": Suggesting that the partner's residence doesn't feel welcoming or comfortable.
2. "But you decide to go ahead and lay down, lay down": Despite the discomfort, the person chooses to stay or be intimate with their partner.
3. "There are no words to describe the depth of your indifference": Describing the partner's lack of care or concern.
4. "'Cause I see you're here to stay": Realizing that the partner intends to remain in the relationship despite the issues.
5. "Should've known to pick my fate, oh": Reflecting on past decisions and the consequences they now face.
6. "I'm so wrong, I'm so wrong (To let you in my)": Acknowledging regret for allowing the partner into their life.
7. "To let you in my home (Now you know where I sleep)": Regretting letting the partner into their personal space and life.
8. "Never felt so damn weak": Feeling vulnerable and powerless in the situation.
9. "Hey there, lonely girl": Addressing the partner, possibly suggesting a sense of isolation or sadness.
10. "Did you have to tell your friends": Questioning the partner's decision to share personal details with others.
11. "About the way I got you screaming my name?": Referring to intimate moments shared between the singer and the partner.
12. "Did you have to tell the world? Ooh": Expressing frustration that the partner has spread private information to a wider audience.
13. "Now your girls all wanna fuck": Indicating that others are now interested in the partner due to the shared information.
14. "Girl, you could've been the one": Suggesting that the partner had potential to be special.
15. "Gotta change my number twice a month": Implying that the partner's actions have led to unwanted attention or harassment.
16. "When you could have simply kept it on the down low": The singer wishes the partner had kept things private.
17. "And baby if I knew you'd be living in my sheets": Expressing regret for allowing the partner into their bed.
18. "I wouldn't have shown you any love": Implying that the singer would have avoided getting involved with the partner.
19. "I would have left you in the club": Suggesting that the singer would have avoided the relationship altogether.
20. "You said you don't belong": Indicating that the partner felt out of place or misunderstood.
21. "You keep saying there's no one and there's nowhere to go": Suggesting that the partner feels trapped or without options.
22. "But who keeps calling on your phone?": Implies that the partner may not be as alone or trapped as they claim.
23. "I'm so wrong, I'm so wrong, I'm so wrong": Reiterating the feeling of regret and fault.
24. "(Girl, if your man call your phone again)": Possibly addressing the partner directly or warning them about unwanted attention.
25. "Oh, oh (baby, ooh, hey)": Ending the song with a mix of frustration and resignation.



@TheGroovyGuitarDude

For anyone who wants to play this on guitar, here's how :)


- Standard Tuning - Capo 6th Fret -


- Chord Progression & Picking Pattern -
Am, Em, Dm, F


For each chord, pick: GBe (at the same time), then Bass Note [repeat x4 for each chord]


This matches up perfectly with the piano! Repeat for the ENTIRE song!


Hope this helps out! If you get stuck or need a little extra help, I just posted a video lesson for this on my channel :)



@nekbudestobitinemoze

This house is not a home to you
But you decide to go ahead and lay down, lay down
There are no words to describe the depth of your indifference
'Cause I see you’re here to stay
Should’ve known to pick my fate
I’m so wrong, I’m so wrong
(To let you in my)
To let you in my home
(Now you know where I sleep)
Now you know where I sleep
(Never felt so damn weak)
Hey there, lonely girl
Did you have to tell your friends about the way I got you screaming my name?
Did you have to tell the world?
Now your girls all wanna fuck
Girl you could’ve been the one
Gotta change my number twice a month
When you could have simply kept it on the down low
I’m so wrong, I’m so wrong
(To let you in my)
To let you in my home
(Now you know where I sleep)
Now you know where I sleep
(Never felt so damn weak)
And baby if I knew you’d be living in my sheets
I wouldn’t have shown you any love
I would have left you in the club
You said you don’t belong
You keep saying there’s no one
And there’s no where to go
But who keeps calling on your phone?
I’m so wrong, I’m so wrong, I’m so wrong
I’m so wrong, I’m so wrong
(To let you in my)
To let you in my home
(Now you know where I sleep)
Now you know where I sleep
(Never felt so damn weak)
I’m so wrong, I’m so wrong
(Girl, if your man call your phone again)
(To let you in my)
To let you in my home
(Girl, if your man call your phone again)
Now you know where I sleep
(Never felt so damn weak)



All comments from YouTube:

@alexurbaniak3161

"Hey there lonely girl" gives me chills. Favorite Weekend song of all time.

@elnurkhalilov4020

Weeknd*

@jjmkmrunkoo7295

weeknd*

@mannank77

Weeknd*

@bleach9258

Weeknd*

@kymoranash8549

Weeknd*

25 More Replies...

@hazeybabes7234

“Hey there lonely girl”

Gets me every time

@hopehamilton3201

Me too lol

@snappback18

That MJ comes out.

@n.h1911

same.

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