Haley Joelle's song "Brave Face" explores the struggle of trying to remain positive and celebrate others' happiness while dealing with heartbreak. The lyrics tell the story of the narrator, who recently went through a breakup with someone they believed was their soulmate. The song begins by highlighting the contrasting experiences of the narrator's friends. Lily just got married, Miki got engaged, and everyone seems to be entering a new chapter of love and commitment. However, the narrator is struggling to move on from their own heartbreak and finds it difficult to be happy for their friends. The narrator tries to put on a brave face and participate in the celebratory moments, like eating wedding cake, but the pain is overwhelming. They describe the taste as unbearable and express their struggle to find joy in the midst of their own despair. The song touches upon the internal conflict of feeling selfish for not being able to join in the celebration while acknowledging that their feelings won't simply disappear. They describe the difficulty of meeting up with friends and having to break the news of their recent breakup, fearing that it will bring down the mood and dampen the atmosphere. Despite their efforts to be a good friend, the narrator expresses the pain and brokenness they feel inside. They apologize for not being able to fully participate and put on a brave face, recognizing that their heartbreak is making it challenging for them to genuinely celebrate the happiness of others. Overall, "Brave Face" delves into the conflicting emotions of heartbreak, selflessness, and the struggle to maintain composure while dealing with personal pain. The song captures the raw vulnerability of the narrator and their attempt to navigate through a difficult chapter in their life.
