Listening

The song 'Listening' by The Used delves into themes of emotional disconnection and apathy. The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship where one partner is detached and indifferent to the other's feelings. The opening lines, 'Your skin attached this fragile cliche / Of my broken heart attack,' suggest a sense of vulnerability and heartbreak, yet the narrator seems to dismiss these emotions, urging the other person to 'swallow your teeth and hang out.' This phrase implies a desire to ignore the pain and continue as if nothing is wrong.

The recurring lines, 'If your heart's still beating it must be the blood / If your lungs are still working it must be the mud,' use physical functions as metaphors for the bare minimum of existence. This suggests that the narrator is merely going through the motions of life without truly engaging or feeling. The chorus, 'I don't see anything now / So just say what you wanna say / It's kind of funny how I'm not listening anyway,' reinforces this sense of detachment. The narrator acknowledges the other person's attempts to communicate but admits to not paying attention, highlighting a profound emotional disconnect.

The imagery of 'Lights out, I can't stand to hear you scream / While we were making love I was fast asleep' further emphasizes the narrator's indifference. Even in moments of intimacy, there is a lack of genuine connection. The repetition of 'I'm not listening' throughout the song drives home the point that the narrator is emotionally unavailable and uninterested in engaging with their partner's feelings. This song captures the essence of a relationship where one person is emotionally checked out, leaving the other to grapple with their unreciprocated emotions.