Pretending by HIM Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Perennial Struggle of Passion and Illusion
Lyrics
And though we are its willing pray, my darling,
We are not the ones to blame
Trust is a word all lovers know,
The glorious art of staining souls, my darling,
We are not the ones to blame
The more we have, the more we want,
And the more it hurts our heart, my baby,
It always ends up in tears
So keep on Pretending
Our heaven’s worth the waiting
Keep on Pretending
It’s all right
So keep on Pretending
It will be the end of our craving
Keep on Pretending
It’s all right
When doubts arise the game begins
The one we will never win, my baby,
It always ends up in tears
So keep on Pretending
Our heaven’s worth the waiting
Keep on Pretending
It’s all right
So keep on Pretending
It will be the end of our craving
Keep on Pretending
It’s all right (c’mon) c’mon
So keep on Pretending
Our heaven’s worth the waiting
Keep on Pretending
It’s all right
So keep on Pretending
It will be the end of our craving
Keep on Pretending
It’s all right
Love is a flame that can’t be tamed,
And though we are its willing pray, my darling,
We are not the ones to blame
As the brooding chords of HIM’s ‘Pretending’ begin to fill the air, listeners are immediately transported into a realm of gothic romance and introspective turmoil. The song, laced with Ville Valo’s hauntingly melodic voice, echoes the perplexities of love and desire that are as ancient as they are persistent.
Yet beyond the surface of its lush soundscapes lies a lyrical depth ripe for exploration. In a careful dissection of ‘Pretending,’ one may uncover layers that reveal the dichotomy between human longing and the facades we construct, mirroring the band’s adeptness at fusing the existential with the emotive.
An Irresistible Flame: Love as an Untamable Force
The opening lines of ‘Pretending,’ immediately cast love as an elemental force, a flame that, despite its danger, beckons us closer. It suggests an inherent human condition: to be consumed by a passion that we know can lead to our undoing. HIM captures the essence of this double-edged sword, igniting a conversation about the risks we take for the moments of warmth that love brings.
Valo’s lyrics acknowledge this predilection for surrender to love’s inferno, yet there is an absolution in the recognition that lovers are not to blame for their plight. Therein lies a profound statement on the nature of love itself – a force beyond our control that we navigate rather than master.
The Art of Staining Souls: The Paradox of Trust
Drawing a parallel between the concept of trust and the artistry of staining, HIM delves into the irony that something so integral to love can leave both beautiful and blemished marks on our souls. The metaphor underscores love’s capacity to both enrich and damage, emphasizing that trust within a romantic context is both essential and inevitably fraught with the potential for heartache.
This aspect of love’s complexity is a central theme in ‘Pretending,’ pointing to the potent mix of vulnerability and courage required to embrace it. Despite the inherent risks, the lyrics imply that perhaps trust is a masterpiece we’re willing to chance, with scars serving as a poignant reminder of love’s transformative power.
The Unending Cycle of Desire: Craving’s Sweet Agony
In a candid portrayal of human nature, ‘Pretending’ reflects upon our insatiable appetite for more—the ceaseless yearning for greater love, more profound connections, leaving us trapped in a loop of pleasure and pain. HIM doesn’t shy away from the masochistic element of this cycle, deftly illustrating how the heart seeks what ultimately wounds it.
The song acknowledges the sorrow born from this quest, yet the recurring tearful endings do not deter the relentless pursuit. It is as if HIM invites listeners to question our own patterns, our own cravings, and whether the tears we shed along the way are just an inevitable toll on the road to ephemeral ecstasy.
Pretending: The Illusionary Haven We Cling To
Here lies the heart of the song—’Pretending’ is not just a title, it is a refuge, a coping mechanism, the silver lining within a stormy relationship. It’s the deliberate choice to believe in a ‘heaven’ in waiting, despite evidence to the contrary. The message is bittersweet: sometimes, it’s the illusions we maintain that get us through the harsh realities of love.
HIM doesn’t judge this pretense, rather, the chorus can be seen as a haunting embrace of the peace that comes from self-deception. It’s an ode to the false comforts we employ, knowing that, at least in our hearts, the façade can hold, and our cravings will eventually find their end, even if it’s only in the realm of the imaginary.
The Reverberating Echoes of Immortal Lines
Among the dark beauty of HIM’s ‘Pretending,’ several lines strike with particular resonance. ‘The more we have, the more we want / And the more it hurts our heart,’ Villa Valo sings. The simplicity and truth in these words encapsulate the inherent tension of human desire—the concept that our hearts are ensnared by their own ambitions.
Another potent example of the song’s lyrical impact is the conclusion that we are ‘not the ones to blame’ for the pain of love. It’s a disarming absolution that resonates with anyone who has navigated the tumultuous waters of emotional connection and acknowledges the universal struggle of attributing fault in matters of the heart.
