“Ask me no questions, I’ll tell you no lies.” – Oliver Goldsmith
What is the truth?
I can tell you what it’s not:
Secrets
Exaggerations
Omissions
Behind the back whispers
Jealousy
Greed
Sometimes the lies have been told so many times they are thought to be the truth.
Other times, the story is so good no one is interested in the truth.
Does it matter anyway, if you can’t explain or change someone’s mind?
If you believe it’s the truth does that make it so?
The truth, it seems, does not always set you free.
I’m looking for a little honesty.
One of the things I love most about music is when I relate to the words, I’m relating to the truth of the song. While the experience might not be exactly my experience, something resonates and I believe it. I own it. The truth is – it’s mine. I chose this weeks songs because of the genius lyrics about finding, telling, and owning the truth.
A Few Honest Words, Ben Sollee
Just a few honest words
It shouldn’t be that hard
Just a few honest words
Is all I need
I don’t need no handshake
No firm look in the eye
Don’t tell me what you think I,
I ought to hear
Truth No. 2, Dixie Chicks
You don’t like the sound of the truth
Coming from my mouth
You say that I lack the proof
Well baby that might be so
I might get to the end of my life
Find out everyone was lying
I don’t think that I’m afraid anymore say that I would rather die trying
Truth, Alexander Ebert
Since this
I’ve grown up some
Different kinda fighter
And when the darkness come, let it inside you
Your darkness is shining
My darkness is shining
Have faith in myself
Truth
The Cave, Mumford & Sons
Because I have other things to fill my time
You take what is yours and I’ll take mine
Now let me at the truth
Which will refresh my broken mind
Oxford Comma, Vampire Weekend
Why would you speak to me that way?
Especially when I always said that I
Haven’t got the words for you
All your diction dripping with disdain
Through the pain
I always tell the truth
Bonus Song:
Awake My Soul, Mumford & Sons
How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes
I struggle to find any truth in your lies
And now my heart stumbles on things I don’t know
My weakness I feel I must finally show
In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
Where you invest your love, you invest your life
Where you invest your love, you invest your life.
Truth.
This post is part of Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday hosted by Jen Kehl. To check out more entries for this weeks theme “These Lyrics are Genius” click the link:
Ugh. I guess you’ve been encountering a lot of dishonesty. I’m glad that you can count on music to be truthful. Here’s open that all of your acquaintances have the same integrity as your music.
I think feeling more like I’m not getting a whole story. Nothing major just sorting through all of it. Thank you!
I get the feeling there is a story here! I’m only a phone call away!
Not really a story Michelle, you know sometimes things just become bigger than necessary and you start to not trust people you thought you could and you start doubting yourself. I just found myself thinking…if xxx knew the truth, the situation could be different. Just feeling exhausted and that was all I could think of for the theme. So I’m good, no story. Thank you though!!!
I am a very honest person, sometimes too honest for my own good. So, to me the truth is something that I am very good at giving and only hope that I get it in return. Hoping all is Ok and thinking of you right now.
Thanks Janine. I’m an explainer – I want everyone to know what happened first and then next and…sometimes you don’t get that and it doesn’t matter anyway because everyone has their own agenda and believes what they want to believe. I’m sure I do the same, and that’s when I thought, what I believe to be true may not be what another person believes. Ever. That just messes with my want to control everything. 🙂
I hear you about not getting the whole story. Happens a lot lately..
I don’t know any of your songs this week. I feel so out of touch! Time to catch up.
I gasped when I read that! I don’t know how that’s possible! Teronis listens to Mumford and Sons non-stop. No lie! I couldn’t get away from it if I tried.
The truth sometimes scares me- but then again, i hate lies. Can’t win, can I?
Ditto. I ask for the truth and sometimes I wish I hadn’t. The lies hurt worse though. Way worse.
If it wasn’t for mixtape I wouldn’t even have known about Vampire Weekend, and I love them.
I love your theme within a theme. Also, love the Mumford and Sons….
Thank you so much for this, amazing work!
Thanks! The first time we listened to a VW album (on a road trip) my husband said – no more of that weird shit. Maybe an album is overkill but I love them anyway. Horchata, Diplomat’s Son. Love!
I think I need to add these songs to a playlist. I’ve been hurt & betrayed so many times, I think these songs would help w/ some healing.
I hope they do, they occupy my mind (especially the quirky Alexander Ebert song) and any separation from the thinking helps.
Stephanie – I loved this post. Very thought provoking. Great quote at the beginning. and this –>”In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
Where you invest your love, you invest your life” Now that IS the truth!
It is. My husband sent that to me in a text on our anniversary. It was very simple, very him and also very me because he knows how much I love music.
I had a canvas made and now that quote hangs in our home – some don’t get it but I’m glad you did. It strikes you or it doesn’t.