"House of Cards" by Janet Devlin is a song that revolves around the theme of love and its eventual end. The song tells a story of a past love and reflects on the memories and emotions associated with it. In the lyrics, the singer addresses their lost love and asks how they've been since their breakup. They reminisce about the times they used to listen to music together, mentioning the albums "Born to Die" and "Nevermind," which serves as a nostalgic reminder of their shared experiences. The singer then reveals that they have found a key to a box that contains memories of their relationship hidden beneath their former partner's bed. However, they realize that these memories are no longer necessary or relevant in their life, symbolized by the fading Polaroid picture. The chorus compares the relationship to a "house of cards" that has come crashing down, implying that the love they once shared ultimately fell apart. The mention of the "King of Hearts" losing their heart suggests that the love they had for each other was lost and never recovered. The second verse addresses the ex-partner directly, asking how their story ends and expressing a desire for friendship. The singer acknowledges that lies cannot sustain a relationship, hinting at past dishonesty that contributed to their breakup. The bridge of the song reflects on the fading connection with their ex-lover and wonders if, in ten years' time, their name will no longer hold significance for them. However, despite the loss and changes, the singer emphasizes that this song is still a love song, highlighting the lasting impact and sentiment of their past relationship. The repeated line "They say all good things must come to an end" reinforces the song's theme that even though the love has ended, the memories and emotions associated with it will always remain. The song concludes by accepting that all good things, including love, eventually come to an end.
