Nothing Revealed / Everything Denied by The 1975 Lyrics Meaning – Unmasking the Illusion of Authenticity
Lyrics
I need something to be true
Is there anybody out there?
Life feels like there’s something missing
Maybe it’s you
Is there anybody out there?
I never fucked in a car, I was lyin’
I do it on my bed, lyin’ down, not tryin’
Apathy for me is an issue, you see
I just talk about the things upsetting me
And I get somewhere, I don’t like it
Get somewhere, change my mind, eh
Get somewhere but don’t find it
I don’t find what I’m looking for
Yes, and if they catch you slippin’
Trippin’ over you flippin’ and they’re listenin’
And ribbin’ over how they think you should be livin’
That’s life, kind of, maybe take some time off
You can’t live in denial, love, settin’ it right
Because if nothing is revealed, everything denied
Learn up yourself before you talk it
They need to see you walk it
You don’t fuck with your poor fans
You meet the rich ones to expand your floor plans
You can’t figure out a heart, you were lyin’
You’re doin’ in my head with your non-stop trying
Never gettin’ sleep and forgettin’ to eat
I pretend that all these things agree with me
And I get somewhere but don’t like it
Get somewhere, change my mind, eh
Get somewhere but don’t find it
I don’t find what I’m looking for
Life feels like a lie
I need something to be true
Is there anybody out there?
Life feels like there’s something missing
Maybe it’s you
Is there anybody out there? (Anybody out there)
Life feels like a lie
I need something to be true
Is there anybody out there?
Life feels like there’s something missing
Maybe it’s you
Is there anybody out there? Out there
In an era augmented by social media filters and the constant quest for validation, The 1975’s ‘Nothing Revealed / Everything Denied’ serves as an anthem that dissects the facade of assorted truths we’re sold daily. Frontman Matty Healy brings his signature blend of confession and confrontation, navigating the dissonant maze between perception and reality.
The track is an introspective exploration of disenchantment, self-deception, and the yearning for genuineness in a disingenuous world. It starts as a piano-led confession, swells into a gospel-backed crescendo, ultimately forcing us to confront the uncomfortable truth about the lies we live and the lies we tell.
The Illusion of Intimacy in a Digital Age
Healy unfurls the narrative with a striking admission of dishonesty in his lyrics, metaphorically stripping away the intimate encounters often boasted about but rarely genuine. He conflates the physical act of lovemaking with the broader notion of how truths are twisted and sold for mass consumption. The bed, ostensibly a place for truth through vulnerability, ironically becomes the stage for lies and deceit.
Amidst the backdrop of a society that promotes exhibitionism, it’s a powerful reminder that the essence of human connection is often lost in translation from experience to anecdote. We contrive our memories to serve the image we wish to project, rather than embracing the raw honesty of moments lived.
Wading Through the Apathy Towards Meaningful Change
Healy zeroes in on apathy as a personal and societal plague. His distaste for inaction, even in the face of issues that visibly upset him, speaks volumes of the paralysis many feel—trapped between awareness and the inertia of habit. When change feels overwhelming, apathy becomes a reflexive shield against the effort it takes to truly shift one’s course.
Yet, the song suggests that comfort in stagnation is itself a deception; a seductive lie that breeds discontent. This apathy, whether in personal pursuits or broader social change, hinders the finding of what one seeks—be it peace, purpose, or authenticity.
Dissecting the Facade of Success and Accessibility
The 1975 does not shy away from self-scrutiny, as Healy unabashedly critiques the paradox of accessibility in the music industry. He acknowledges a certain hypocrisy, where the desire for expansion and influence may contradict the values an artist espouses. The critique touches upon a truth behind many curated personas—the selective engagement that helps one climb higher on social ladders.
In an age where connectivity is currency, this line reminds listeners to question not only the accessibility but the intent behind engagements. The song nudges us to poke at the glossy veneer of celebrity interactions and to consider the reality that often, the expansion of one’s ‘floor plans’ correlates to a shrinking of sincere connections.
The Heart-Wrenching Struggle with Self-Identity
Beyond interpreting external facades, ‘Nothing Revealed / Everything Denied’ solicits a deep inward dive. Healy reflects a frustration with the process of self-discovery—a journey fraught with sleep deprivation, neglect of basic needs, and the inner turmoil that accompanies the relentless search for meaning.
The song posits that the most haunting lies are those individuals tell themselves. When one’s own heart is a mystery, the outside world’s inauthenticity becomes a punishing mirror of the internal chaos. Healy’s struggle emphasizes the importance of understanding oneself before attempting to sway the world.
The Gospel-tinged Embrace of Life’s Dichotomy
Perhaps the track’s most profound moment transpires when the gospel choir swells, reinforcing the central theme: ‘Life feels like a lie, I need something to be true.’ It’s a desperate plea for authenticity amidst the static of fabricated storylines. The gospel element infuses the song with a sense of communal confessional, elevating the personal vendetta against the lie to a universal craving for truth.
This spiritual element doesn’t offer answers but resonates with the collective yearning for something beyond the smoke and mirrors. It magnifies the search for authenticity, turning it from a personal quest into a shared, quintessentially human pursuit. The choir complicates the narrative, providing a stark contrast to the solitude of the verses and reaching for a higher truth within the cacophony of reality and performance.
