None of These Things

Song Meaning

These lyrics trace the painful re-evaluation of a past relationship, contrasting idealized memories with a starker, more cynical reality. The speaker grapples with a shifting truth, suggesting that the narrative of their shared history is ultimately a matter of choice. It's a raw look at how perception shapes experience, especially in the aftermath of love. The central tension arises from the speaker's fragmented memory and evolving understanding of their partner. Initially, there was a sense of mutual devotion, where "You used to see nothing but me." However, this clarity quickly dissolves into confusion, as the speaker admits, "My vision was blurred," hinting at a profound self-deception or misunderstanding about the relationship's true nature, particularly regarding another person, "her." The most striking craft element is the immediate, jarring contrast in the first verse: "love in our hearts" quickly gives way to "blood on our palms." This powerful juxtaposition suggests that even in its thrilling beginnings, the relationship harbored a predatory or destructive undercurrent, a "kill" rather than just a "thrill." This subverts the romantic ideal, implying a darker truth beneath the surface of their initial connection. The repeated chorus, "None of these things are true / Until you make them true," serves as the emotional anchor, shifting the power dynamic. It suggests that the reality of their past, and even the present pain, is a conscious construction. The final iteration, "None of this ruins you / Unless you make it true," offers a potent, almost defiant, message of agency, implying that heartbreak is a choice, and the individual holds the power to define their own narrative and resilience.