The song "Nothing In My Heart" by John Hiatt depicts a sense of emptiness and pain within the singer's heart. The repeated line "There's nothing in my heart" emphasizes a profound void that exists within them. The lyrics suggest that the darkest part of the singer's heart serves as a hiding place for their love, indicating a fear of vulnerability and potential heartbreak. The singer confesses to keeping memories buried deep within themselves, suggesting a reluctance to let go of the past and move on from a lost love. They believe that no one can find the love within their heart, as their tears have already been shed in an attempt to conceal it. The lyrics also touch upon the idea of perception and how people only see what they want to see. Despite the singer's efforts to hide their love, they admit that there is still a part of them left, albeit not enough for someone to truly understand or access their emotions. The song implies that the person the singer loved is no longer interested in them. They question why this person would bother with them now when they were the ones who taught the singer to hide their love away. The singer reflects on their attempts to be the "better man," but it seems that their efforts were ultimately in vain. The line "Two trains runnin' side by side, there's a space ten miles wide" suggests a metaphorical distance between the singer and their loved one. Despite being close in proximity, there is a significant emotional gap that separates them, reinforcing the theme of hiding one's love. The lyrics convey a lack of feeling or emotion within the singer. They claim that there is no pain, despair, or even the capacity to hurt someone, asserting that their heart is devoid of any sentiment. In summary, "Nothing In My Heart" explores themes of emotional emptiness, hiding one's love, and the struggles that come with failed relationships and the outer facade people often adopt to protect themselves from further heartache.
