They Do, They Don’t

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of self-deception and a desperate attempt to evade responsibility. The opening lines, "Tied down against the tracks / Screaming in silent, black and white," establish a sense of helplessness and a stark, unacknowledged reality. The narrator confesses to being "villains" who "tell ourselves anything / We want to hear," highlighting a conscious choice to ignore uncomfortable truths in favor of comforting lies. This internal conflict between what is known and what is desired creates a palpable tension. The central tension revolves around the disconnect between actions and consequences, particularly the enjoyment derived from harmful or questionable choices. The striking phrase, "if we're the ones to blame then the fruit / Shouldn't taste so good," encapsulates this paradox. It suggests a moral dissonance where pleasure is derived from actions that should, by all accounts, lead to suffering. This enjoyment, however, is fleeting, as the lyrics quickly pivot to a sense of loss: "We're losing everything but the truth." A key piece of craft is the recurring motif of broken promises and failed intentions, amplified in the pre-chorus and outro: "And how come when we say that we do / We don't." This simple, repetitive structure underscores a fundamental inability to follow through, a core aspect of the self-sabotage described. The imagery of a "roadblock" and the idea that "Archaism is a dusty road leading us back to nowhere" further reinforce the theme of stagnation and the futility of clinging to outdated or destructive patterns. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw, unflinching portrayal of self-awareness without the will to change. The narrator recognizes their own villainy and the flawed logic they employ, yet remains trapped in a cycle of denial and regret. The contrast between the sweet taste of forbidden fruit and the bitter reality of loss creates a potent emotional resonance, capturing the universal struggle with accountability and the seductive nature of self-deception.