According to Merge, at their initial studio session the two “were immediately struck by one another’s talents and found an instant rapport". During a conversation about their shared love of old records, Zooey let slip that she wrote her own songs, which she recorded alone at home on her computer. Somewhat shy about sharing these musical morsels, she was eventually persuaded to send them to M. Ward. He was instantly impressed, and they soon reconvened at his studio in Portland to begin work. Recorded over a period of several months, between acting work (She) and touring commitments (Him), the pair found time to bring Zooey’s fledgling songs to gorgeous fruition
Thieves Among Us
She & Him Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Painting the walls
With all kinds of lies, and lies
I never told it all
What's in my pocket?
You never knew
You didn't know me well
So well, as I knew you
And I know, and you know too
That a love like ours is terrible news
But that won't stop me crying
No, that won't stop me crying over you
I'm not a prophet
Old love is in me
New love just seeps right in
And, it makes me guilty
Why do you look like that?
It's not all that bad
I'll see you sometime
Sometimes, lonely isn't sad
And I know, and you know too
That a love like ours is terrible news
But that wont stop me crying
No, that wont stop me crying over you
Ouuuuuuuuu
No, that wont stop me crying over you
We two are makers
Just made this mess
Two broken hearts don't beat
Any less, oh
There's thieves among us
Painting the walls
With all kinds of lies, and lies
I never told it all
And I know, and you know too
That a love, like ours
Is terrible news
But that wont stop me crying
No, that wont stop me crying over you
Ouuuuuuuuu
No, that wont stop me crying over you
Ouuuuuuuuu
No, that wont stop me crying over youuuuuuuuu
Youuuuuuuuu
Youuuuuuuuu
The lyrics to She & Him's Thieves Among Us speak of a complicated and messy relationship, filled with lies and guilt. The opening lines talk about thieves, which can be interpreted as people who steal things from others. In this case, the thieves are painting the walls with all kinds of lies and secrets that have been kept from one another. The sudden reveal of these secrets leaves the singer feeling vulnerable as they realize that they never told their partner everything.
The chorus addresses the fact that a love like theirs is terrible news because of the hurt and pain it inflicts on both parties involved. Even though they both know this, it doesn't stop the singer from crying over their lost love. The second verse talks about the conflict between old love and new love. The singer still has feelings for their ex, but they feel guilty about it because they have moved on and are with someone new.
The bridge brings a ray of hope, as the singer suggests that sometimes being lonely isn't necessarily a bad thing. They may still meet their ex and catch up with them at some point in the future, and it doesn't have to be a sad reunion. Overall, the song deals with the complexities of relationships and the importance of being honest with one another.
Line by Line Meaning
There's thieves among us
There are people around us who are deceitful
Painting the walls
Spreading lies and rumors
With all kinds of lies, and lies
They are spreading various kinds of false tales
I never told it all
I haven't told you everything
What's in my pocket?
What do I have in my possession?
You never knew
You were not aware
You didn't know me well
You didn't understand me too much
So well, as I knew you
I understand you much better than you do me
And I know, and you know too
Both of us acknowledge
That a love like ours is terrible news
Our type of relationship is catastrophic
But that won't stop me crying
However, that doesn't prevent me from weeping
No, that won't stop me crying over you
Even though I shouldn't cry anymore, I still do for you
I'm not a prophet
I can't predict the future
Old love is in me
My past relationship is still affecting me
New love just seeps right in
Despite this, I will still fall in love again
And, it makes me guilty
This situation makes me feel remorseful
Why do you look like that?
Why do you appear like this?
It's not all that bad
It's not as terrible as you perceive it to be
I'll see you sometime
We will meet again eventually
Sometimes, lonely isn't sad
There are times that feeling lonely can be pleasant
We two are makers
Both of us have created this mess
Just made this mess
We are responsible for the chaos in our relationship
Two broken hearts don't beat
Our broken hearts have stopped working
Any less, oh
This situation hasn't made us any less broken
Ouuuuuuuuu
Vocalization, no particular meaning
No, that wont stop me crying over you
I will continue to cry for you even though it won't make a difference
Youuuuuuuuu
Vocalization, no particular meaning
Contributed by Carson V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mirnacouri
totally agree. Beautiful version of the song and such a lovely voice! especially when she says 'Oooooou that won't stop me crying over youuu ouuuuu'
@LaceyBellissimo
I sing this everday. I wish I sounded like her :)
@234Cooper
She's one of those singers you just KNOW isn't a fake
@JacobDragyn
I'm torn. I really like Phil Spector-like lavish productions, and the original had that going for it. But I felt her voice was being buried in the mix because it wasn't within her range. This version is definitely much more suited to her. So I like both for those reasons.