Keep Lying
Donna Missal
The Comfort of Deception: Exploring Donna Missal's 'Keep Lying'
Donna Missal's song 'Keep Lying' delves into the complex emotions of longing and self-deception. The lyrics reveal a protagonist who is fully aware of the falsehoods being fed to her but chooses to embrace them rather than face the harsh reality of loneliness. This paradoxical desire for comforting lies over painful truths is a central theme, highlighting the human tendency to seek solace in illusions when reality becomes unbearable.
The repeated plea to 'keep lying' underscores a deep-seated need for emotional sustenance, even if it comes from deceit. The lines 'Feed me your fiction / Give me just one taste / To sustain this addiction' suggest a dependency on these lies, likening them to a drug that provides temporary relief from emotional pain. The metaphor of 'swallowing poison' that 'fills my heart with deception' vividly illustrates the destructive yet irresistible nature of this self-deception.
Missal's raw and emotive delivery adds another layer to the song, making the listener feel the protagonist's desperation and vulnerability. The acknowledgment of loneliness ('Baby, I've known lonely') and the request to be let down slowly reflect a fear of abrupt abandonment, further emphasizing the need for gradual, gentle disillusionment. The song captures the bittersweet reality of clinging to fantasies, portraying them as both a prison and a refuge.
'Keep Lying' is a poignant exploration of the human psyche, where the comfort of lies is preferred over the pain of truth. It speaks to the universal experience of seeking emotional refuge, even in the most unlikely places, and the complex interplay between reality and fantasy in our lives.