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Lyric analysis of Louis Tomlinson's Only The Brave as a lgbtq+ anthem,
A thread from me, an unlabelled person:
A thread from me, an unlabelled person:
Disclaimer:
Every song is open to interpretation and this is how I choose to see Only The Brave. If your opinions differ, I respect it.
Every song is open to interpretation and this is how I choose to see Only The Brave. If your opinions differ, I respect it.
"Pour mercy, mercy on me, set fire to history"
Religious afflictions paint homosexuality as a sin. Thus, the narrator begs for mercy and forgiveness. Setting fire to history refers to letting go of internalised homophobia that has been prevalant throughout time immemorial.
Religious afflictions paint homosexuality as a sin. Thus, the narrator begs for mercy and forgiveness. Setting fire to history refers to letting go of internalised homophobia that has been prevalant throughout time immemorial.
"I'm breakin' my own rules, I'm cryin' like a fool"
Questioning your sexuality often makes you feel like an outlaw breaking your own rules.
Questioning your sexuality often makes you feel like an outlaw breaking your own rules.
"Tall stories on the page, short glories on the fade"
Tall story is phrase that means "fake story" or an exaggerated story. Tall stories on the "page" could refer to fake headlines.
Tall story is phrase that means "fake story" or an exaggerated story. Tall stories on the "page" could refer to fake headlines.
"I been close enough to touch, but I never cared for love"
How many times has a lgbtq+ person been close enough to knowing love but far from acquiring it?
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
How many times has a lgbtq+ person been close enough to knowing love but far from acquiring it?
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
TW// death
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"It's a church of burnt romances"
Gay couples were burnt alive at pyres by the church in older centuries. This is a obvious hint towards the age-old tradition.
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"It's a church of burnt romances"
Gay couples were burnt alive at pyres by the church in older centuries. This is a obvious hint towards the age-old tradition.
"And I'm too far gone to pray"
One cannot change or influence their sexuality as per convenience. They are "too far gone" to influence the truth.
One cannot change or influence their sexuality as per convenience. They are "too far gone" to influence the truth.
"It's a solo song and it's only for the brave"
The path to self-discovery is a battle within oneself or a "solo song", and accepting yourself requires bravery.
The path to self-discovery is a battle within oneself or a "solo song", and accepting yourself requires bravery.
"If the truth tell, darling, you fell
Like there ain't enough dying stars in your sky"
The truth, assuming it to be the truth behind the narrator's sexuality, could be the reason behind their downfall as it has been for many other dying stars before them. Hint: homophobia.
Like there ain't enough dying stars in your sky"
The truth, assuming it to be the truth behind the narrator's sexuality, could be the reason behind their downfall as it has been for many other dying stars before them. Hint: homophobia.
"It's a tall tale, and it's only hello, hello, no goodbye"
Tall tale is again a fake tale or a cover story. Only hello and no goodbye means there is a beginning but no apparent end to this.
Tall tale is again a fake tale or a cover story. Only hello and no goodbye means there is a beginning but no apparent end to this.
"Pour mercy, mercy on me, I'll fall upon my knees"
The narrator is once again asking forgiveness for their "sins".
Moving on to the less obvious things now.
The narrator is once again asking forgiveness for their "sins".
Moving on to the less obvious things now.
"And they'll say, "I told you so
Come on, when you know, you know" "
The second verse is where the narrator begins the journey of self-acceptance. When you know, you know and thus it starts.
Come on, when you know, you know" "
The second verse is where the narrator begins the journey of self-acceptance. When you know, you know and thus it starts.
"All the lonely shadow dances from the cradle to the grave"
The phrase ''cradle to the grave'' refers to an a process that extends from birth till death. Your sexuality is involuntary and not within your control. The narrator accepts that there are some things they can't change.
The phrase ''cradle to the grave'' refers to an a process that extends from birth till death. Your sexuality is involuntary and not within your control. The narrator accepts that there are some things they can't change.
"It's a solo song and it's only for the brave"
Once again, the battle for self-discovery is lonely and requires a feat of bravery.
~THE END
Once again, the battle for self-discovery is lonely and requires a feat of bravery.
~THE END
Credits to Andrew Jackson, Duck Blackwell and Louis Tomlinson for this beautiful song. Here's my take on it.
If you have a different explanation to any of the lines, feel free to DM me. Let's talk.
