Who Can You Trust

Ivy Levan's 'Who Can You Trust' delves into the murky waters of trust, deception, and the duality of human nature. The song opens with a stark metaphor, comparing the heart to a hunter and a stone, suggesting a cold, calculated approach to relationships. The imagery of 'cold blood in the chamber' and 'bullets hung bold' evokes a sense of danger and inevitability, setting the stage for a narrative where moral boundaries blur. The night symbolizes a realm where traditional notions of right and wrong dissolve, and 'rough justice' prevails, hinting at a world governed by primal instincts and survival.

The chorus introduces the theme of love intertwined with lust and deceit. Levan's lyrics, 'I'll feed you sweet lies but who else can you trust,' highlight the paradox of seeking comfort in falsehoods when genuine trust is scarce. The siren's song and the moth to the flame metaphor underscore the irresistible pull of temptation, even when it leads to self-destruction. The idea of delivering poison and then forgetting one's name speaks to the transient and often harmful nature of such relationships, where the allure of the moment overshadows long-term consequences.

As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the protagonist is both a seducer and a betrayer. The lines 'When you're all alone and there's no one round, I will call you up just to bring you down' reveal a manipulative streak, where the protagonist exploits vulnerability for personal gain. The final verse, 'Bet on both sides, do what you must,' encapsulates the moral ambiguity that pervades the song. In a world where good and evil are fluid concepts, the protagonist acknowledges their own duplicity, yet questions who else can be trusted. This complex portrayal of trust and betrayal reflects the darker aspects of human relationships, where the lines between love, lust, and deceit are often blurred.