Never Lies

Lupe Fiasco's song "Never Lies," featuring Mike Shinoda, delves into the pervasive influence of media and the passive consumption of information. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of an individual who is entirely absorbed by the 'box,' a metaphor for television or media in general. This person mimics and adopts everything they see, becoming a reflection of the content they consume. The 'box' becomes a prison, with the individual unable to break free, symbolized by swallowing the combination to the lock and forgetting it. This imagery suggests a loss of autonomy and critical thinking, as the person becomes a mere instrument of the media's influence.

The chorus, sung by Mike Shinoda, emphasizes the theme of silence and passivity. The repeated line "And he never lies" underscores the idea that the individual never speaks out or questions the media, thus never lying because he never says anything at all. This silence is a form of complicity, as the person absorbs and acts on the media's messages without critical examination. The instrumental left behind by the doctors symbolizes the loss of the individual's voice and agency, reduced to a mere background to the media's dominant narrative.

In the interlude, Lupe Fiasco addresses the listener directly, challenging them to reflect on their own identity and the ways they might be hiding their true selves. The lines "You buy new clothes just to hide those scars" and "You build that roof just to hide those stars" suggest that people often use material possessions and superficial changes to cover up deeper issues and vulnerabilities. This critique extends the song's message beyond media consumption to a broader commentary on societal pressures and the ways people cope with them. The song ultimately calls for self-awareness and a critical examination of the influences that shape our lives.