Only Lie Worth Telling
Paul Westerberg Lyrics
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That's the only way it can be
Call me when you're full of pretty lies
Call me when your eyes are empty
And open all night
You lied enough
Open wide enough
Only lie worth telling
Is I'm in love with you
Only lie worth telling
Is I'm in love with you
Call me when you think you're leaving
Hope you know you're not deceiving me
Again just like you think you should
Call me when your arms are empty
And open all night
You lied enough
Open wide enough
To drive a truck straight through
Only lie worth telling
Is I'm in love with you
Only lie worth telling
Is I'm in love with you
If you need someone
To tell everything you've done
Then lie to me
I'm the one who can attempt to be your friend
If you need someone
To tell everything you've done
Then lie to me
I'm the one who can still pretend
Call me when your eyes are empty
And open all night
You lied enough
Open wide enough
To drive a truck straight like a knife
Only lie worth telling
Is I'm in love with you
I'm the only lie worth telling
I'm in love with you
Only lie worth telling
I'm the only lie worth telling
The lyrics of Paul Westerberg's song, "Only Lie Worth Telling" convey a message of betrayal, deep emotional pain, and the desire to be in love. The song speaks of a situation where a person's partner is deceiving them and looking for comfort from someone else. The dynamic is one where the singer is fully aware of the lies and is waiting for that phone call from the person who is seeking comfort. The singer is willing to listen to everything the other party has to say, no matter how painful, and is ready to offer a sense of acceptance and support.
The lyrics paint a picture of a toxic relationship where one party has become emotionally uninvested, and the other is holding on to a love that is not reciprocated. It's evident in the line, "only lie worth telling is, I'm in love with you," that the singer is willing to hold onto the hope that love is still present in the relationship, and it's the only lie worth telling. Despite being hurt, the singer is willing to be there for the person they loved, even though they know that they're merely a placeholder until the real deal comes along.
Overall, the song encapsulates the idea that even if a relationship is falling apart, it's still worth being there for someone and offering support and understanding, no matter what it is they're going through.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me when your arms are empty
Contact me only when you are emotionally drained and cannot find anyone else for comfort.
That's the only way it can be
This is a precondition that I must first require before engaging in any communication with you.
Call me when you're full of pretty lies
Communicate with me only when you have recently told someone else something that you know is untrue.
Call me when your eyes are empty
Get in touch with me only when you have lost your emotional connection to others around you.
And open all night
I am willing to be available to you anytime you need me.
You lied enough
You have been dishonest with me repeatedly in the past.
Open wide enough
You have been candid about some things that were very hurtful to me.
To drive a truck straight through
Your lack of truthfulness has been so damaging and destructive that it could have caused serious physical harm.
Only lie worth telling
There is only one lie that you can still tell me that will have any value to me at all.
Is I'm in love with you
That lie would be to tell me that you love me, even though I know it is not true.
If you need someone
In the event that you require someone to confide in and share everything with.
To tell everything you've done
If you need someone to confess all of your secrets, revealing even the worst of the things you've done.
Then lie to me
I am asking you to deceive me and fabricate any story you like, in order to feel like you have got it off your chest.
I'm the one who can attempt to be your friend
I am the one who can still feign being your friend, despite all the things you've done.
I'm the one who can still pretend
I am willing to act like the person you tell me you are, rather than the one I actually know you to be.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL WESTERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J Ward
At some point people will realize Paul Westerberg is a total genius!! This song is the proof!!
Armando Barbarek
Hopefully not when he's dead. I love all his music as well as the replacements! A thought occured to me once that if i recently died, revive me by placing a radio by my head and blast the replacements! Haha!
Thomas William
One of the ALL-TIME GREATEST god damned come-back records in Rock History!!!!
Cesar Tullio
You’ve said it 👍
ALFAJERK_BFH
I love this album
Neil Kirk
ME TOO! ...A DESERT ISLAND DISC. ONE OF THE VERY GREATEST ALBUMS EVER.
Anthony Marabito
One of his best.
Jan Miller
I'm still in love with you Allison u ♥know like come back soon youknow
ocirtceleojepse
Que onda que subiste vos el tema a tu canal? Estaba en low quality en yt?
Cesar Tullio
No estaba cuando lo subi... De cualquier manera es de mis canciones favoritas