Completely, Sweetly

The Dead South's song 'Completely, Sweetly' delves into the complex emotions of betrayal, deception, and reluctant gratitude. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a relationship marred by dishonesty and manipulation. The narrator begins by acknowledging their own vulnerability, having 'laid down my tricks completely,' and waits sweetly for the other person to reciprocate. However, the relationship is tainted by deceit, as the narrator is fed lies 'through them crooked, yellow teeth,' a metaphor that emphasizes the ugliness and insincerity of the deceitful words.

The chorus, 'Cried me a river, but those tears ain't cheap,' suggests that the other person's expressions of remorse are insincere and manipulative. Despite the pain and sleepless nights caused by the betrayal, the narrator grapples with conflicting emotions. They express a desire to thank the other person for their time, indicating a reluctant acknowledgment of the lessons learned from the experience. This juxtaposition of gratitude and resentment highlights the complexity of human emotions in the face of betrayal.

The song also touches on the theme of hidden truths and the fear of exposure. The line 'Gotta hide what's on the mind, your brother's might be inclined to find out' suggests that there are secrets that could cause further damage if revealed. The narrator's struggle to reconcile their feelings is evident in the repeated lines, 'I should, I should probably thank you, I ain't, I ain't trying to hate you.' This repetition underscores the internal conflict and the difficulty of moving past the hurt. 'Completely, Sweetly' is a poignant exploration of the tangled web of emotions that arise from deceit and the bittersweet process of healing and acceptance.