The song "All For Nothing" by Empress Of tells a story of a dysfunctional and draining relationship. The lyrics reflect the narrator's feelings of being pushed around and emotionally drained by their partner. The line "I like to keep my stories untold" suggests that the narrator has been hiding their pain and struggles within the relationship. The chorus expresses the narrator's desire to know if their efforts in the relationship are in vain. They question if everything they are going through is worth it and if there is any potential for a brighter future. The lyrics also touch upon the idea of freedom, wondering if they can escape the draining nature of their love. The line "By now you're used to my tears, enough to fake being sincere" implies that the partner has grown accustomed to the narrator's emotional vulnerability, perhaps even exploiting it for their own benefit. The phrase "This love is draining us dry" reinforces the notion that the relationship is one-sided and exhausting. The narrator expresses frustration with the repetitive patterns of compromise in the relationship, suggesting that their attempts to fix things have been in vain. They acknowledge that the same old routine of compromises won't work anymore, indicating a growing realization that the relationship is unsustainable. Overall, "All For Nothing" explores themes of emotional exhaustion, the desire for validation, and the questioning of one's efforts in a draining relationship.
