Song Meaning

The narrator is trapped in a cycle of self-inflicted suffering, haunted by unspoken actions that prevent genuine rest. "It's not your face / But others that I see" reveals a mind consumed by guilt or regret, unable to find solace even in the presence of a loved one. This internal torment is so profound that the narrator actively seeks refuge in dreams, asking to "Allow me to dream / What I shouldn't dream of," suggesting a desire to escape reality into a space where they can be someone or something they are not in waking life. The core of the song lies in the mutual deception between the narrator and their partner. The chorus, "I like to lie to you / I think you like to lie to me too," establishes a relationship built on a foundation of untruths, where both parties seem to benefit from the charade. This isn't just about hiding secrets; it's about a shared agreement to maintain a comfortable illusion. The line "If you ever heard the truth / You'd think that I was lying to you" highlights the extreme nature of these hidden realities, so far removed from the perceived truth that even honesty would sound like a fabrication. The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship where communication is fraught with unspoken tension. The narrator anticipates being questioned upon returning home, wondering if their partner is "Waiting for the words to sting." The admission that "the lies we've told / Are coloured by the light" suggests that their deceptions, once perhaps minor, have escalated significantly, piercing deeper than intended. The phrase "Never dreamed it could go / All the way" implies a profound regret over the extent to which these lies have permeated their lives and relationship. Ultimately, the song captures the suffocating weight of shared secrets and the desperate need for escape, even if that escape is into a dream or a continued performance of normalcy. The final plea, "Close your eyes / It won't hurt," feels like a desperate attempt to maintain the status quo, a final reassurance that the illusion, however painful, is preferable to the shattering impact of the truth. It's a poignant portrayal of how dishonesty can become a perverse form of intimacy, binding people together through their mutual complicity.