Verse 1: "Hide those feelings, put them on the shelf Cover them in soot and ash and dust You can't let them show, nobody else Could suffer such a person as us" In the first verse, Keaton Henson is telling the listener to hide their emotions and feelings from the world. He suggests to cover them in dirt, implying that they are not valuable or worthy of attention. He also states that showing emotions would make others think less of them, or even consider them damaged and undesirable. Chorus: "Hide those feelings, never let them out Tie them up and lock them tight Throw away the key, forget about All the pain, the fear, the fright" In the chorus, Henson repeats the message of the first verse. He encourages the listener to keep their emotions hidden away and lock them up. He suggests forgetting about the pain, fear, and fright that come along with expressing one's feelings. Verse 2: "Don't trust the ones who say they care Their words are meaningless and untrue They'll turn away from you, I swear To them you're nothing but a fool" In the second verse, Henson warns against trusting people who claim to care about you. He believes that their words are empty and insincere. He further cautions that if you show emotions, the people who supposedly care about you will turn away, leaving you feeling foolish and alone. Chorus: "Hide those feelings, never let them out Tie them up and lock them tight Throw away the key, forget about All the pain, the fear, the fright" Bridge: "And I'm not telling you to do as I do It's just that I can't stand to see you Crushed beneath the expectations of A world that doesn't give a fuck" In the bridge, Henson seems to reflect, and he clarifies that he isn't giving direction to the listener. Instead, he shares his perspective on the pain of being crushed by the world's expectations and demands while no one cares. He suggests that society is indifferent to the value of genuine emotions and suggests that the listener should be cautious. Chorus: "Hide those feelings, never let them out Tie them up and lock them tight Throw away the key, forget about All the pain, the fear, the fright" Ultimately, the song is about the struggle to hide one's feelings, including pain, loneliness, fear, and shame, out of the fear of being rejected and outcast by society. Henson advises against trusting the people who say they care while urging the listener to keep their emotions hidden to avoid potential rejection. However, it becomes clear that Henson understands the struggle and acknowledges that it is not easy to navigate.
