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my interpretation of only the brave; a thread no one asked for 
this song seems to be about louis giving up on love - but at the same time he's desperate for it. so he decides to find himself first and then search for love, because it isn't just going to happen.
he's in this transient stage and he feels torn - he feels he's lost an identity. and now he's going to do what it takes to get it back.
pour mercy, mercy on me, set fire to history - love has shown him so much pain, he now asks for mercy as he lets go of what hurt him in the past.
i'm breaking my own rules, i'm crying like a fool - he's finally ready to let go of the ties that bind, the way he's always approached love.
tall stories on the page, short glories on the fade - the media has always controlled the worlds perception of him, what people see of his love life. that part of his life (1D) was glorious and as he sets himself free, that glory fades too.
i've been close enough to touch, but i never cared for love - he's always wanted for love, always reached out, but was too scared of being burned. he was too timid to breach that line.
it's a church of burnt romances, and i'm too far gone to pray- he's fallen in love and gotten hurt, burned. he's let others control his identity. but now...
it's a solo song and it's only for the brave- he is finally setting off on his own. letting go of all the trivialities that held him back. he's done waiting for love, done waiting for his love to be accepted. he's seizing the day, and taking control of his own destiny.
if the truth tell, darling you fell, like there ain't enough dying stars in your sky - when stars die they become shooting stars. letting go won't be the death of him and his career, it'll be the creation of a new, thriving beauty.
it's a tall tale and it's only hello, hello, no goodbye- it's a crazy, amazing thing to happen, to get to be yourself. but after you finally make that leap- doors will just keep opening. it's time to stop fearing someone will slam it in your face.
pour mercy, mercy on me, i'll fall upon my knees, and they'll say i told you so, cmon when you know, you know- when you know your heart and accept it, you KNOW. he was just waiting for that to happen, but this song is him realizing nothing just HAPPENS. you have to fight for love
then there are "all the lonely shadow dances from the cradle to the grave"- a lifetime of hardships, pain, heartbreak, hiding. the dark parts of life that try to tear love apart. that try to tell you your love is wrong.
it's a solo song and it's only for the brave- you can't let the shadows dominate you. love is about letting go of inhibitions and setting off to seek ylur truth. this song is about taking that risk - knowing that pain might lie ahead, but not letting that fear control you.
