Analyzing Song Lyrics: "Tell Me A Lie" by One Direction

The song that I analyzed was "Tell Me A Lie" performed by One Direction. This song has an upbeat tempo and in many of the lyrics has a longing feeling, like they are throwing themselves out there. I love this song for the truthfulness that lies in it. After studying the lyrics, I found that this song is about someone who has beaten down and broken so many times, and just wants to be spared the truth because the truth can hurt.

In the beginning of this song the lyrics say, "Can't ever get it right/No matter how hard I try/And I've tried".  I think these lines show someone who is trying everything to be perfect for the one he loves, and to that person he is doing nothing right, and this hurts him. The writer of this song uses repetition with the word "try" to emphasize the work the narrator is putting into this relationship. The song goes onto saying, "Well I've put up a good fight/But your words cut like knives/And I'm tired". These three lines just show the exhaustion of this person is feeling from the "Fight" he has fought with his words, and the words she is sending back hurt. Then the next line is by itself and it states, "As you break my heart again this time". This line stands alone because it shows the fact of the song. The narrators heart is being toyed with and broken down. Then the chorus says, "Tell me I'm a screwed up mess/That I never listen, listen/Tell me you don't want my kiss/That you need your distance, distance/Tell me anythign but don't you say he's what your missing baby/ If he's the reason that you're leaving me tonight/Spare me what your thinking, tell me a lie" This part is basically saying "I give up, tell me everything but don't talk about 'him'". And then it says "spare me what you're thinking, tell me a lie". This line sums up the idea that the truth hurts. This line basically says that "if you are leaving me for him, don't say it, lie." That is why the lyrics are about someone who has beaten down and broken so many times, and just wants to be spared the truth because the truth can hurt.

I know from my life's experience that sometimes I can be hurt so many times that I just don't want to hear it. There are some days when everything seems to be going wrong, and it might have nothing to do with anyone telling you anything, but I become exhausted and would rather be lied to then told I have done something wrong and that is what I think is happening here. I believe many people would in a perfect world want everyone to tell the truth and be told the truth, but in reality there are days when I would rather be told my hair looks good than not. But that is not how I believe the world should run. I think the world needs truth, that truth can solve everything. Being true to yourself, being true to others, and especially in relationships, being true to the one you love, will create a much better world to live in.