Don't Cry

Palaye Royale's song 'Don't Cry' delves into the dark and painful experiences of a young boy growing up in an abusive household. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a child witnessing domestic violence, with the mother screaming and the father resorting to physical punishment. The line 'Cause he told me that men don't cry' encapsulates the toxic masculinity that the father imposes on his son, teaching him to suppress his emotions and conform to a rigid, harmful notion of what it means to be a man.

The chorus, repeating 'Don't cry, men don't cry,' reinforces this damaging message. The boy is forced to stand up straight, follow orders, and even change his appearance to avoid embarrassing his father. This control over his physical and emotional self highlights the oppressive environment in which he is raised. The father's insistence on cutting his son's hair because he 'looks like a girl' further emphasizes the rigid gender norms and the fear of deviating from them.

The song takes a dark turn as the boy, now grown up, seeks revenge. At 18, he buys a gun and kills his father, a chilling act that symbolizes the ultimate rejection of his father's teachings. The final lines, 'Watching the tears roll from his eyes, whispered to him that men don't cry,' serve as a poignant and ironic twist. The son uses his father's own words against him, highlighting the destructive nature of the toxic masculinity that was forced upon him. The repeated 'Goodnight' at the end of the song signifies a grim closure to a life marred by abuse and emotional suppression.

'Don't Cry' by Palaye Royale is a powerful commentary on the impact of toxic masculinity and the cycle of violence it perpetuates. It sheds light on the emotional and psychological scars left by abusive parenting and the desperate measures one might take to break free from such a cycle.