#walls analysis

just like how in habit there's a repitition of the beat throughout the song because its a habit "he can't break". and how his voice is softer in too young nostalgic almost, reminiscing to a time when he was too young. and how the beat builds up and then drops in miss you just before the line "just like that and i'm sober".

okay, first of all. this one was hard. this one was complex. at times i was like ??? and !!! about these lyrics, especially because they can mean so much all at once. they tell so many stories. so i guess that this is my disclaimer that if you absolutely disagree and your own interpretation is way different, then you should own it and hold on tight to it bc who is a random stranger on the internet to tell you what to feel about a song by your fave, right????? alright. let’s fucking go and see where this takes us

there is a cut, bc this is a long one. i get into louis’s references to oasis, mention possible parallels to his as well as others’ earlier work, and try to wrap my head around walls’ message as a whole, basically. open at your own risk

walls, track 6

TITLE SONG. - statement: this is what the album is about, this ties everything together

6th song on the album: last of the first half - lot of personal struggles in that first half: devil in my brain, please kill my fucking overactive mind, kept me living, prison of a past life, doing better, life gets hard, driving to something better, don’t give up, we made it, waving to the hard times, what i could’ve become, i gave in to the pressure etc etc etc last warning are you sure you wanna get into this

**These are all just my interpretations but the more I listen to the music they wrote, the more it all fits together. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS THEY’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT WRITING “AUTOBIOGRAPHICALLY” AND “FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE”

I deffo missed some songs but these stood out to me:

2013

L-Strong: Love isn’t easy (waves trying to break it) but what we have means something and it’s worth fighting for. read: love is only for the brave (Think of how much love that’s been wasted...there’s nothing i’m running from...i don’t care, I’m not scared of love) And we bring out the best in each other so lets not throw this away (i’d do anything to save it...when i’m not with you i’m weaker). 

H-Happily: I want to fight for us too bc we’re on fire and our love is powerful af. ik we have to do stunts and stuff (and if (s)he feels my traces in your hair, sorry love but I don’t really care) but what we have is insane and fuck everyone else bc you’re MINE and i’m YOURS at the end of the day (i wanna be the one who holds you when you sleep). Together, we’re magic so just be with me so happily

H-Something Great: ****this song is very straightforward so i won’t explain it much***** (i want you here with me like how i pictured it so i dont have to keep imagining... We’re better off together here tonight). Written as a longing for what could be if they dont have to suppress the relationship. (script was written...want to rip it all to shreds) Louis’ response (you’re all I want so much it’s hurting) basically says “it’s not too much to ask babe, i want it too.” This has the kind of longing that ‘wouldn’t it be nice- beach boys’ which Harry has admitted is kind of a theme song. 

L-Through the Dark: I know all this bs we’re going through is taking a toll on you and hurts you and i hate seeing you upset (you tell me that your sad...you tell me that you’re hurt and youre in pain and i can see your head is held in shame...i just wanna see you smile again) but I will do everything physically possible to protect you from any pain bb (i’d never let you fall and break your heart, if u wanna cry or fall apart, i’ll be there to hold ya). We’re going through this together and I will take on any responsibility needed to keep you happy.  I’M WILLING TO GO THROUGH HELL TO FIGHT FOR US HARRY LOVE (entire chorus basically).

L-Better than Words: holy fuck our love is amazing can’t even describe it can i just sing to you foreva love u babycakes

L-Why don’t we go there: what if...we just forgot about the world and escaped and enjoyed each others love and rode the high??? Also sex

2014

L-Ready to Run: *******Followup to Why Don’t We Go There*********** But this time let’s escape for real bc (there’s me inside a sinking boat running out of time). Like i’m ready to get out of here and it could just be us living happily ever after (this time i’m ready to run). Honestly nothing else makes sense (without you i’ll never make it out alive...wherever you are is the place i belong). I know what i want out of life and IT’S YOU HARREH (i want to be free and i wanna be yours, i will never look back). 

L-Steal My Girl: all u thirsty hoes find someone else bc Harry is MY pretty princess. Srsly ask his family. But you can still admire how he looks in those jeans. We all do. You know the ones

L-No Control: boy u fine, let’s do what lovers do IN THE MORNING. bc we can. also you own me and i am urs

L-Clouds: WE KNEW THIS WAS GONNA BE HARD SO WHY ARE YOU BEING A LITTLE BITCH (you dont like it complicated...but love is never ever simple...you are tired of all the changes, but love is always always changing). We could be great yo, just keep fighting (if we’re never coming back down, we’ll looking down on the clouds...we go and we go and we dont stop)

H-Where do Broken Hearts Go: IM SORRY LOU BABY YOURE EVERYTHING (rest of my crimes dont come close the look on your face when i let you go... the taste of your lips...is at the top of the list of things i want). H&L’s call and  response at the end is basically forgiveness and acknowledgment (come on baby come and get me out, come on baby cuz i need you now)

H-Two Ghosts: *****was written around this time according to Harry******. This is fucking hard yo. We’re drained and exhausted and idk how much more we can fight for this... (it’s not you and it’s not me...sounds like something that i used to feel). That infatuation and electricity and hope that fueled our younger selves isn’t really there anymore and i’m just tired man (we’re just two ghosts swimming in a glass half empty, trying to remember how it feels to have a heartbeat, we’re not who we used to be...this was all we used to need). We’re empty vessels going through the motions (same eyes blue, couple more tattoos). AND WE AREN’T FUCKING COMMUNICATING (we dont say what we really mean). 

2015

H&L-Perfect: so what if... we get rid of the pressure of forever? What if we just have fun doing the stupid shit we love and makes us feel alive (trouble up in hotel rooms, secret little rendezvous, things you know that we shouldn’t do). Like we won’t be out of each others’ lives, I’m still around and we can find comfort in each other and even mess around here and there (I can be the one you love from time to time). Remember how we used to be young and EXCITED (when i first saw you from across the room, i could tell that you were curious) let’s get that energy back without the responsiblity of an adult relationship. And we can keep making art lmao (if youre looking for someone to write your breakup songs about). 

L-Long Way Down *****this song fkn hurts man. It’s overlooked a lot but shows so much insight**** We were...everything. And maybe that’s the problem? We’ve been through so fucking much, more than anyone our age should have to endure. (We've been in fire, Went down in the flames. We sailed the ocean And drowned in the waves. Built a cathedral But we never prayed) We didn’t know what we had. We were damn kids man. We weren’t prepared for all this. We didn’t know how powerful this would be. We didn’t know what it required of us. (We had a mountain But took it for granted. We had it all yeah. Who could’ve planned it). We didn’t know what to do with it, how to deal with it, so here we are. (We had a spaceship But we couldn't land it) We’re each other’s everything, but we can’t keep going on like this babe. (We found an island But we got stranded). I don’t want to leave you but being together is breaking us down. (Point of no return and now It's just too late to turn around) We thought we were untouchable. That love conquers all. Maybe, we were wrong. This is gonna hurt like a bitch (We built it up so high and now I'm fallin', it’s a long way down)

H-Olivia: I LIVE FOR YOU, I LONG FOR YOU, I LOVE YA. And i think i’ll always love ya. And I’m scared...of life without you (i get the feeling you’re walking out, time is irrelevant when i’ve not been seeing you, the consequences are falling now, there’s something i’m having nightmares about...dont let me go). But maybe just maybe thats okay, because you’re AIMH (you live in my imagination...i love you, it’s all i do). 

L-Love you Goodbye: I fucking love you and I’ll always fucking love you but i think this is the right thing to do even though it feels so wrong (i know there’s nothing i can do to change it, but is there something that can be negotiated?) We made some goddamn fireworks together though (unforgettable together held the whole world in our hands) and do ya maybe think...we can make them just once more? (if tomorrow you wont be mine, let me give it to you one last time, baby let me love you goodbye...one more taste of your lips just to bring me back to the places we’ve been and the nights we’ve had because if this is it, then at least we could end it riiiiight). ********in the interview with our FAVE Gwen Garcia, she asked if it’s better to say goodbye and end a relationship that’s not feeling right or keep trying even if your heart’s not in it. Harry responds with “I think it’s better to say goodbye...but sometimes if youre trying to protect..” Then Louis cuts him off and says “you’re going deep aren’t you”, brushing the question off as a joke but imho i think there was pain in that answer. Then Harry continues “if you’re not 100% in it, I think it’s better for both parties if you say goodbye”. And Louis adds a “yeah” at the end.********

H-Walking in the Wind: I know this is scary but i think we can do it, (you said to me do you believe i’ll be too far? if youre lost just look for me you’ll find me) I think because youre AIMH and i’m always in yours, it’ll be good for us. And look at us being mature, we’re killing it babe. We can live our separate lives and grow on our own. We dont need to make it messy and hurtful. We’re on the same page. (the fact that we can sit right here and say goodbye means we’ve already won. A necessity for apologies between you and me, baby there is none). At this point, we’re kinda part of each other right? So it’s healthy for us to be apart for a bit. (it’s not the end, i’ll see your face again... i know we’ll be alright...just close your eyes and see i’ll be by your side any time you need me). And you’ve helped me grow into the person I am, and I you, so that’s cool as hell, right? (you will find me in places that we’ve never been). We had a TON of fun (we had some good times didnt we) so i feel okay that we’re doing this (goodbyes are bittersweet) and starting the next adventure in our lives. 

H-If I could fly: I. am. yours. Louis. William. Tomlinson. (for your eyes only, i’ll show you my heart). Maybe this growth thing isn’t worth it, let me prove to you how much you mean to me (i think i might give up everything just ask me to). This is gonna be hard as shit because i’m so dependent on you (i’m missing half of me when we’re apart). I’m being honest and I’m being scared and I’m being vulnerable because I can’t lie to you and pretend I’m strong (i let my guard down, right now i’m completely defenseless). But we’re part of each other, right? (i could feel your heart inside of mine). I’ll always be here for you Lou (for when you’re lonely and forget who you are) even if for now we can’t physically be together. 

L-Home: I’ve tried, Harry. I’ve tried to play pretend (told myself i kind of like her but there was something missin in her eyes). But i was lost (i was stumblin, lookin in the dark with an empty heart) because none of it was enough, none of it was YOU (it was there i sawr it in your eyes). And then i met you and you felt the same and we’re both lost souls playing pretend who found magic in each other (but you say you feel the same, could we ever be enough?) Is our love enough to overcome everything? Maybe we can be enough. Maybe I can make this enough, let me try to make it enough for you. And if we go our separate ways, know that I’m here for you no matter what. I won’t let you be lost again. (When you’re lost I’ll find a way and I’ll be your light, you will never feel like you’re alone, I’ll make this feel like home). So go. wander. find yourself. Then when you’re ready, come home. 

 2016-2017

H- Sweet Creature: ***Harry admit that this was the first song he wrote for the album**** We aren’t in the best place rn. We’ve been fighting (had another talk about where it’s going wrong...it’s hard when we argue, we’re both stubborn). But it’s you Louis. It can’t be anyone else. (don’t know where we’re going but we know where we belong... wherever I go, you bring me home). That’s not even a question. I’m still trying to figure out who I am, but the one thing I know is that a large part of who I am is you (we started 2 hearts in one home). And aint no way I’m losing that part of myself (when i run out of road, you bring me home). It was always you. 

H-MMITH: Whenever you’re ready, I’m ready (just let me know i’ll be at the door,  hoping you’ll come around). I know I need to work on myself a little more (i gotta get better, and maybe we’ll work it out) but honestly i’m getting impatient and i want things to go back to how they were and i want to be yours again (once you go without it, nothing else would do). But I can’t communicate this to you clearly so let me just put this in a song and hope you get it (we dont talk about it, it’s something we dont do) ****Harry mentioned in an interview that he expresses himself through songwriting when he can’t say the words directly to a person because it’s easier to just write it in a song than have difficult conversations*****

H-ESNY: ****honestly no idea what this song is about but it’s something to do with them fighting and not communicating and being in a weird place before their relationship is rekindled******* edit: this could be about his stepdad

H-FTDT: I MISS YOU AND I’M TOO FULL OF PRIDE TO TELL YOU DIRECTLY JUST COME BACK INTO LIFE LOU I’M LONELY AND SAD AND EMPTY AND IM NOT FUCKING FINDING MYSELF LIKE YOU SAID I WOULD (woke up alone, played with myself where were you...we havent spoke since you went away, why wont you ever say what you wanna say) So until then I sit and wait for your sorry ass to make the first move (maybe one day you’ll call me and tell me that you’re sorry too...but you never do). Also like i have to hear from other people how you are?? (i saw your friend that you know from work, he said that you feel just fine) ANd you’re sharing OUR clothes with people?? wtf just swallow your pride and call me 

L-Miss You: OKAY BUT I CANT JUST CALL YOU BECAUSE I HAVE PRIDE TOO also my mates are trying to make me get over you (now i’m asking my friends how to say I’m sorry, they say lad give it ttime there’s no need to worry, and we can’t even be on the phone now). So i’m just numbing your absence with partying and drinks but CLEARLY ITS NOT WORKING (should be laughing but there’s something wrong...shit maybe i miss you...when i feel it coming up i just throw it all away, get another few shots cuz it doesn’t matter anyway...such a good time, i’ll believe it this time). This is weird bc like you were my everything but im trying to get used to this and it fucking sux (oh how shit changes, we were in love, now we’re strangers). And tbh, its scary af bc what if this is it (i’m asking myself, is it over?). BUT ALSO LIKE WTF U COULD REACH OUT FIRST YA KNOW (i’ve been checking my phone all evening).

H-Anna: wtf Louis how do you not see how much this is killing me. I miss you so much and seeing you on tv or in pics drives me wild bc you’re not mine. (I don’t want your sympathy but you don’t know what you do to me...everytime I see your face there’s only so much I can take...I guess it would be nice if I can touch your body). And idk if you’re replacing me (don’t know where you’re laying, just know it’s not with me) and we’re in SUCH a weird place rn how do I tell u you’re the loml (don’t know what I’d say if I passed you on the street...don’t know what I’d tell you if you asked me for the truth) so I refuse to put this song on the album and let you know this and give you satisfaction from knowing how gone I still am for you bc I have 0 idea how you feel (hope you never see this and know that it’s for you)

L-Always You: SO THIS IS ME SWALLOWING MY PRIDE STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU SAYING IM SORRY FOR THAT NIGHT... ok but fr i miss u i miss u i miss u i miss u and nothing else compares like i can travel the whole world and all i think about is how much more fun it was with you and the memories we shared and i wish i could just say thx fr th mmrs and move on but actually no thx actually fuck you for making me not able to enjoy my life without you. So like...come home? and wrap your legs around me? also lmao i took El to a gay bar in amsterdam for her bday lmao i miss u come cuddle me and i’ll tell you all about it

L-We Made It: looks like we made it, look how far we’ve come my baby. They saidd I bett they’ll never make it, but just look at us holding onn, we’re still togetherr, still going stronggg. Also to the fans, miss our single bed and the nights we talked about our dreams :-* also Andrew my man luv u

2018-2019

L-KMM: our love was youthful and exhilarating and fucking electric and i think it still can be. dont know what i’d do without you now H 

L-DLIBYH: We’re strong babe and we’ve grown and we aren’t gonna let life drag us down. I’m doing better, you’re doing better, this is what we wanted. And now any shit we go through, we’ll go through TOGETHER 

L-Too Young: Okay but looking back, that was a lot of shit we went through and we were just babies and i’m sorry for not fighting harder (i cant believe i gave in to the pressure when they said a love like this would never last so i cut you off cuz i didnt know no better) baby i tried, i tried to protect you but like it was just so much and i hate that you got hurt and i wont ever let that happen again. ALso go us for being mature and COMMUNICATING (face to face at the kitchen table, we can finally have a conversation that I wish we could’ve had before). ANd i know you’re an arrogant son of a bitch who can’t admit when he’s sorry so here let ME say i’m sorry that i hurt you darling. Like we were too young to know we had everything BUT now we’re old(er) and can realize that when we’re together, we DO have everything now and omg is this our happily ever after and we can have a daughter and name her Darcy 

L-Habit: do i need to spell it out for you iiiiii aaaaaaaaammmmmmm sssssssoooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyy. But tbh i let you go because it felt right because mentally you were already out the door and i needed to give you room to grow babe. And i needed the space too (you gave me the time and the space i was out of control and i’m sorry i let you down). but like also i’ve learned i can’t escape you Styles. You’re always in my fucking heart and my fucking mind and in every essence of my being and somehow I knew that 9 years ago and it took me this long to realize how powerful this really is (guess that that i know what i already knew, i was better with you and i miss you now). Ooooh also my favorite line i wrote (took some time cuz i ran out of energy of playing someone I heard I’m supposed to be and honestly i dont have to choose anymore) like who am i kidding, im done pretending i just wanna be yoursss now

L-Defenseless: I can’t help it okay theres something about you that doesn’t let me stay away. I need you and I know that rekindling this relationship isn’t going to be easy even though it feels so so right. It’s going to be hard work (sleeping on our problems but we’ll solved them in our dreams, wake up early morning and it’s still under the sheets) and we need to communicate and solve our problems but here I am, raw and unfiltered and emotionally naked in front of you ready to lay it all on the table (not sure how to say this right, got so much to lose. NEver been so defenseless). So like this branch I’m reach out to you and you be honest with me too babe (you dont have to keep on being strong for me and you. Acting like you feel no pain, you know i know you do...I can’t get inside, when you’re lost in your pride but you don’t have a thing to prove). Be open with me. Lets talk. Let’s solve problems. Lets have an adult relationship. I’m asking for a little vulnerabiltiy babe. It’s just me. Theres nothing to be scared of

L-Walls: And here you have me in my purest form. No lies, no secrets, no insecurities to hide behind. Losing you was fucking painful but i got through it. I’ve been through hell and back and I’ve fought. And without you, I grew into the person I am. And any further growing i’m doing is gonna be with you. bc it was all for you babe. and honestly i can take anything life throws at me now. I’m strong baby. I’m fucking strong and fucking brave and fucking resilient and...fucking yours. ***** wtf is the I just hope i see you one day and you’ll say to me oh oh********

H-Golden: You are the literal sun and I’m not ready. YOU’RE SUCH A GOOD PERSON (you were way too bright for me, i’m hopeless, broken, so you wait for me in the sky). I’m scared to go through this alone, I need your comfort and your guidance (i can feel you take control of who i am and all i’ve ever known). But you’re scared to go through this with me bc you dont wanna get hurt and i’m too open so where tf does that leave us. ******this could be about coming out especially with the London AND NY secret shows where Harry added the lyric I’m hoping someday you’ll open*******

H-Adore You: You dont have to say you love me, you dont have to say nothing, you dont have to say you’re mine. I’d walk through fire for you. Just let me adore Lou. Like its the only thing I’ll ever do. read: Louis is a great person to just admire what he’s like. ALso I dont need anything back. I just dont want to hide my love for you anymore. I don’t need answers or promises. Just let me adore you. ********the music video is also basically a Louis appreciation post. He was the boy with the smile that the world took away from him. He found Harry lost and loved him and nurtured him and made him confident and allowed him to be who he wanted to be. But in doing so, Harry became big and unsatisfied and wanted to explore the world and was clearly interested in Hollywood and Rockstardom especially evident in his behavior 2014-2015. And Louis wasn’t about that life and didn’t want to hold him back. So he let him free. But they realized that they don’t work apart. Wherever they’re going, they’re going together, as the boy sails into the unknown following the fish. I see it as Harry’s version of “this one is a thank you for what you did for me” ************* I see it, I appreciate it, and I love you for it

H-Lights Up: ****fight with Louis. (What do you mean I’m sorry by the way) About coming out? About fame? (Step into the light, so bright sometimes) Either way, L is the guy driving the motorcycle in the video who makes H feel comfortable and safe until they get pulled over because SOMEONE wont let them love*******

H-Falling: What if i’m out, what if i’m someone you won’t talk about? Okay maybe I lied I do want you to claim me. Would me coming out of the closet make that hard for you? I CAN’T GO THROUGH AN IDENTITY CRISIS WITHOUT YOU LOU. I picked someone supportive and now I’m spoiled and I dont know how to be with myself. You want back in my life but what if I dont deserve it? (you said you cared and you missed me too...what i’m someone i dont want around). What if you’re better off without me? (i get the feeling that you’ll never need me again). I know youve been through so much shit because of me, things you’ve never even told me about and im afraid...that I wasn’t worth it. Am I being selfish? because either way, i want YOU (what if you’re someone i just want around). Does that make me a bad person? 

H-TBSL: ****Probably when they starting talking again but it was v casual and they didn’t really discuss their relationship yet*****. I MISS U BUT I WONT TELL U THAT and its nice to talk to u again i missed your voice but if u call me baby i will kill u bc that word has weight OKAY. Like i know you just call everyone babe and darling and sweetheart but baby is FOR ME and only for me when you wake up with me and cuddle me and if you think you have any right calling me baby without giving the luxury of being in a relationship with you then piss off because that shit hurts dude. (i know that you’re trying to be friends, know that you mean it...it’s hard for me to go home to be so lonely). ALso it’s not my fault i’m like this, you literally captured my heart when i was 16 like wtf do u expect (dont blame me for falling, i was just a little boy)

H-Sunflower Vol. 6: we were babies and i was so enamored by you and you’re so bright and beautiful and i want to watch you all day and make you smile and i want you to touch my hair and call me curly and i hope im not making you uncomfortable with my heart eyes but like how are you so perfect. I hope you think i’m cool, i’m really trying but like you’re SO FUNNY and charming and everyone loves you i hope im not embarassing myself. And now it’s like 8 years later and i think i can have you again and i want you so bad but i dont wanna seem too eager and im trying to have dignity and not text you first but like also i want nothing more than to talk to you. Do you think i’m cool now? did you like my new hairstyle? Do you think i’m funny on tour? I want everything i want to be domestic again and kiss in the kitchen and i want to cook for you and as;ldfa;sdhaf i want to buy you flowers everyday and shower ur cute face with kiss. boopx28 

H-Canyon Moon: Hell yea i got ma man back and i have a girlfriend named Jennifer ;) and we are domestic and even though I HATE being away from him for work (so hard to leave it) we have the 2 week rule yall then i can wrap my legs around him and after so so so long I’ll be h.o.m.e. Also did i tell you his eyes are so so blue like sky who i dont know her

H-TPWK: So we’re really doing this. We don’t need to have it all figured out. We can just be us. and happy. and dance. The world loves us babe. (Giving second chances, I don’t need all the answers and if we’re here long enough we’ll see it’s all for us and we’ll belong)

It’s the 28th of pride month, and fitting to post this now. The soul of Walls is the unabashed, fierce, tender, and brave love of a man who has shown for years that he is proud. This album isn’t a cohesive story line, nor do I think it’s even the album Louis envisioned himself putting out. He only flirts with true indie music like that of his idols; Always You is a pop masterpiece, TOU is a ballad, and Perfect Now a love song in the style of Little Things. The album is a collection of letters each addressed to a singular recipient, personal, self-searching, blunt, too vulnerable to be easy listening (if you really listen). Walls shows us the scope of Louis’ capacity for love. It’s the culmination of years of pain, heartbreak, and hope, written with the raw honestly of an archeologist stumbling upon his own personal memoirs. 

Please feel free to ask questions if any of the technical stuff is confusing, and remember these are my interpretations as a classically trained musician. I will use the name “Subject” for the implied “you” in each of Louis’ songs. 

this is louis speaking from the heart, getting so honest it hurts. good thing these lyrics are not directed at me bc wow i would be brittle. it’s louis the strong leader shining through, the wise older brother who gently offers advice when someone he cares about is going in the wrong direction. yea ig i did that sorry 

i care about this one a lot, and genuinely it’s just another fucking banger, so here we go.

walls, track 8

*playground noises*

Cash in your weekend treasures  For a suit and tie, a second wife

(another inconsistency with louis’s album booklet: there it says “cashing” - imp “cash in” makes the most sense, since otherwise there wouldn’t be a sentence)

“weekend treasures” - earns money over the weekend? has fun? good experiences? or is it sarcastic and is “you” just escaping for the sake of it

“cash in”: exchange your fun life for the one in a suit with a wife - living a double life

“suit and tie”: trope of the businessman with the family living a lie (- she)

superficial - looks, image of someone who has their shit together

Now I’m not saying that you could’ve done better Just remember that I, I’ve seen that fire alight

i’m saying you can be better though. i’m an old friend, i know you, and i can see now that your fire has been extinguished

Tell me, do you, tell me, do you still remember feeling young? Tell me the truth, tell me, do you still remember feeling young

conversation; louis is pressing the matter gently, repeating his question with added “tell me the truth” bc “you” is lying, to louis and to themselves

“you” can live a lie all they want but louis sees through it and won’t take them lying to him too. louis wants to get the truth out of them in order to help them

always “young” - old friends, lifelong experiences

And strong enough to get it wrong in front of all these people?

“you” is not being strong atm, though they used to be

“enough” - implies that the challenges and expectations are high and it takes a lot of strength to handle them

“you” is afraid to fail, and though they used to be resilient enough to get back up when it did happen, they lost that will to fight

“all these people” - who are they? an audience, watching? people judging them? “these” also implies they’re still there, and also that they’re close to/ (perhaps) watching louis - otherwise he would’ve used “those”

general “they” on walls, always with the eerie connotation of people judging, exercising influence

“wonder what they’d say if they could see us now” - wmi

“don’t know why they put all of this on us when we’re so young” - wmi

“when they said a love like this would never last” - too young

“and they’ll say, ‘i told you so’” - only the brave

Just for tonight, look inside and spark that memory of you Strong enough to get it wrong in front of all these people

stop ignoring yourself, for once

this person has thoroughly lost themselves: they need to spark the memory first, since that “you” is buried so deep down

“spark” - “fire alight”: keeping up the metaphor of this person’s personality and life force as fire, burning bright

Fearless, fearless Fearless, fearless

remember when you were fearless? 

come on, babe, let’s be strong, proud, happy

Now if happiness is always measured By the life you design, that car on the drive

a life by design: fake

material possessions won’t bring you happiness, although “you” seems to be chasing happiness in that direction - got priorities wrong

louis’s own mentality about happiness shining through: it’s all about staying true to yourself, that’s when you’re truly happy

Then you should feel better than ever But you know as well as I, it’s all lies

“we’re in the same boat” - louis knows about this side of life: trying to chase happiness through wealth + living a lie

the life you have as a celebrity is not real: the riches, the attention, the stories; but “you” has lost sight of that, lost themselves in it - started living the lie without staying grounded in their real self, like they used to

implication that a celebrity always leads a double life, no matter what, and the way to stay sane is to keep that split in check, keep those lives separate

Tell me, do you, tell me, do you still remember feeling young?

SYNTHESIS

a "quite autobiographical" song by louis, according to him, and lyrically a "break-up song", but i think we'll all agree that this is a "history about how we were apart for a bit, got fucked up, then realized we can't be apart for very long, as we always should've known really but i guess we're stupid, but anygays now we're happily at home, together" song. or yk that's how i see it, at least

walls, track 8

I went to Amsterdam without you

Amsterdam, city of sex, drugs and a place largely accepting of the lgbtq+ community - so yk louis should feel right at home. we've seen him out and about there (but wasn't that with...? so who was he missing...?)

And all I could do was think about you And oh-oh-oh, I should've known

when they're not together, his lover is all that's on his mind

general theme on the album: i should have realized all along that it's you, always you

"now i realize" - too young

"wish i could've seen it all along" - too young

"guess i know what i already knew" - habit

I went to Tokyo to let it go Drink after drink, but I still felt alone I should've known

now who have we seen visiting tokyo in their free time?

sounds like a duet in some ways (especially if you keep the above in mind): louis went to amsterdam to get high, his lover went to tokyo to get drunk, both just felt alone in their chosen exile

amsterdam, with the implication of weed, and now drinks, echoing "smoke something, drink something" - we made it

louis is clearly also no stranger to either kind of substance for a good time: "is it something that i'm taking?", "glazed over eyes, just one more pint or five", "i'm off my face" - miss you

I went to so many places Looking for you in their faces I can feel it, oh, I can feel it

weird lyric typo "looking for you in their faces": in the album booklet it says "and the faces", which might just be a mistake? unless i'm missing something and "looking for (...) the faces" has some serious double meaning

Wasting my time when it was always you, always you Chasing the high, but it was always you, always you Should've never let you go Should've never let you go, my baby

"wasting my time"

"took some time 'cause i ran out of energy" - habit

"you give me the time and the space" - habit

looking for answers about why he feels so lost in life, thinking he should look somewhere outside of what he's always known, perhaps thinking what he's always known is the cause of his problems (bc he started believing lies that were told to him or sth). his excursion away from home proved the opposite: it's his home, the person that is his home, that brings him the most comfort and stability he can ever know with the life he leads

"chasing the high": love as a drug: very present theme throughout the album and previous work (and h's music for that matter)

"on a mission just to feel like how you kissed me for the last time", "you kill my mind" - kmm

"you're the habit that i can't break" - habit

"your addictive heart" - habit

"baby you were still high, never coming down with your hand in mine" - we made it

"you got me so addicted to the drama", "you can be the pill to ease the pain" - back to you

"it was always you, always you"

"it's been ages (...) i'll always need you" - habit

"me and you is all i've ever known" - too young

"should've never let you go"

"so i cut you off 'cause i didn't know no better" - too young

I went from LAX to Heathrow Walked through my door, but it felt nothing like home 'Cause you're not home Waiting to wrap your legs around me And I know you hate to smoke without me And, oh, now you know

heathrow: london

home = the other person: theme

"wrap your legs around me" yeah they have sex

another inconsistency in the lyrics! in the official booklet: "i know you hate the smoke without me" and "the smoke", as in "the old smoke", refers to london, which obviously matches the rest of the verse

"to smoke" would fit too, ofc, bc these lovers clearly aren't strangers to lighting something together, but the general sense of "we hate london unless the other is here" is a more significant message, more profound lyric + again, matches the rest of the verse: we're in london, where we have a home, but we generally don't like it bc it doesn't feel like home when the other isn't there

"got a place on the other side of london" - dlibyh - doesn't matter which house they're in, bc the house/city itself doesn't matter

My baby Oh, my baby

harry is louis's baby <3 (bc yk he is one)

SYNTHESIS

While analysing the lyrics, I first of all wanted to point out some Miss You parallels: perhaps they were written around the same time? (Louis mentions in his track-by-track that he wrote Always You about two years before the album was released, so that would def make Miss You a bit older (as it was released at the end of 2017) but you never know with that man.) Drinking, partying, having recently split up/taken the decision to spend time apart, and now Louis misses them. Consistent with the rest of the narrative on Walls, Louis also feels the need to say sorry in Miss You: "Now I'm asking my friends how to say "I'm sorry"."

In any case, Always You fits in with the rest of the love story on Walls, with almost every line matching a line of another song. Louis hurt them, because he needed time apart, or took that time apart after hurting them, and then he came to the realization that he can't live without them, because they're his life force, like a drug he's addicted to and wouldn't try to kick off from if he wanted to.

There's this nice inclusion of cities where he's passed time and doesn't exactly care for unless his love, his baby, is there too. There's Amsterdam and Tokyo, both cities linked to L and H respectively, and then we have the whole London thing. Do they not like London? Do they have to spend time there because of work, so that's what it feels like to them? (Like L.A., as they've both mentioned before.) Their true home being more up north, where they're both from? In any case, the whole lyric thing with "to smoke" and "the smoke" is weird to me, but I will stick to the official, original lyrics being "the smoke", since that ties in the story that verse tells way better.

we’re baaaaack! sorry for the wait on this seventh instalment of my (to me) thoroughly enjoyable walls analysis <3 i’ve been on a nice long break and have missed writing like crazy, so this one felt like taking a hit. like louis has a habit he can’t break, so do i. though mine is less romantic, ig. but it is very fulfilling and life-affirming, just like louis is telling us his addiction is. love that for him. i’m not jealous in any way. alright enough bullshit

walls, track 7

I always said that I’d mess up eventually

what’s this low self-esteem? - in terms of the relationship, of filling expectations, not letting the one who he loves down

there was so much pressure on him ～ too young

I told you that, so what did you expect from me?

he warned “you” off - guarded despite seeming open

It shouldn’t come as no surprise anymore

double negative: just louis’s colloquial english shining through - makes his music more personal, more like he’s actually speaking to us

it’s no surprise to him that he disappointed “you”, while “you” might have been keeping their hopes up, ignoring his warnings

I know you said that you’d give me another chance

given a chance - tattoo on lou’s arm in some beautiful handwriting ～ tpwk “given/giving second chances”

But you and I knew the truth of it in advance That mentally, you were already out the door

so much hurt and waiting, “you” needed to protect themselves in the end

physically “you” might have still been there, but mentally they were losing faith, getting distant

Never thought that giving up would be so hard God I’m missing you and your addictive heart

theme of love as a drug, better than any high they could try to chase, they’ll give into it at any cost

～ back to you, “you got me so addicted” “you can be the pill to ease the pain”, ～ mmith “give me some morphine”, ～ medicine “got drunk on you”, ～ kmm “just a little taste, babe”, ～ always you “i was chasing the habit”, ～ wmi “you were still high, never coming down with your hand in mine”, ～ defenceless “i come running to you like a moth into a flame”

“missing”

～ right now “i wish you were here with me”, ～ change your ticket “it’s not the same when you’re gone”, ～ home “wanna wake up and see your face”, ～ miss you, ～ canyon moon “i’ve been gone too long from you”

You’re the habit that I can’t break You’re the feeling I can’t put down You’re the shiver that I can’t shake You’re the habit that I can’t break You’re the high that I need right now You’re the habit that I can’t break

allusion to a comedown - L is addicted to “you” and can’t function without - all he wants to do is give in to the feeling

I took some time cos I ran out of energy Of playing someone I heard I’m supposed to be

he took a break from everything for a moment: career, relationship

“playing” a part ～ defenceless “running all my lines”

“i heard”: “this is not my opinion, not my story” (i’m proud of who i am and don’t think i should be anyone else) - following instructions, believing what others are saying

closeting, management forcing him into a role, controlling him - went along with it, but couldn’t anymore - story consistent along the entire album

But honestly, I don’t have to choose anymore

couldn’t combine it all anymore ⟶ now he’ll do anything to keep “you” in his life, no matter the context // he’s not in that situation anymore where he has to play that part 

And it’s been ages, different stages

verb tense: present perfect: something that started in the past and continues to this day - been ages that they’ve been together

“ages” - “too young” - they were kids when they fell in love

“stages”: great play on words: different phases in their lives + places where they performed - performing together, all around the world, and solo (+ stage can hint at playing a role again)

Come so far from Princess Park

first residence they had after x-factor - apartment louis and harry publicly shared. there’s no way around it

they’ve come far: conquered the world with the band, grown immensely personally and in their relationship - very positive connotation

I’ll always need you In front of me, in front of me

i’ll always follow you - you pull me forward 

You give me the time and the space

～ mmith “just let me know, i’ll be at the door”

I was out of control and I’m sorry I let you down

lost the plot for a hot sec

another apology! ～ too young

I guess that I know what I already knew I was better with you And I miss you now

～ too young “now i realize...”

open, honest: he’s found the words to say that he was still looking for in too young

“better with you” - “you make me feel like being someone good to you” - perfect now

SYNTHESIS

it was an honor to analyse this gorgeous song, where louis poured his heart out for his beautiful mother, jay, who passed away in 2016. it’s been, without a single doubt, so fucking hard for louis, pursuing his dreams without her a phone call away to give him the boost he needs. but he’s so brave, so strong, and he’s doing her proud with every move he makes.

this one’s for all of us that have lost a loved one, and for those memories we honor by going on

walls, track 3

It’s been a minute since I called you Just to hear the answerphone Yeah, I know that you won’t get this But I’ll leave a message so I’m not alone

it happened a while back but the missing remains - will never go away

talking to her, or feeling like he’s talking to her, makes him feel less alone. they used to be so close, and in his case, sometimes you just need mom

This morning I woke up still dreaming With memories playing through my head You’ll never know how much I miss you The day that they took you, I wish it was me instead

doesn’t believe she can hear him, that she knows what he’s telling her

grief: i’d take their place - they deserve to be here more than i do

not a casual thing to say at all, even for someone who’s grieving - darkness from previous songs

But you once told me, “Don't give up You can do it day by day” And diamonds, they don't turn to dust or fade away

needs encouragement to keep going, to stay alive - devil in his brain from kmm

they already had a conversation about this, she once had to tell him to not give up ～ just hold on

she was a diamond, so she’s never truly gone - like a diamond in his memory, strong and brilliant - his rock - he doesn’t need to leave to be with her, bc she’s there still

So I will keep you, day and night, here until the day I die I’ll be living one life for the two of us I will be the best of me, always keep you next to me I’ll be living one life for the two of us Even when I’m on my own, I know I won’t be alone Tattooed on my heart are the words of your favourite song I know you’ll be looking down, swear I’m gonna make you proud I’ll be living one life for the two of us

i will stay alive and keep you alive too through my actions

her memory, the life she lost, motivates him to get the most out of his own life and not waste it

favorite song: sharing music as one of the purest forms of love

“i know you’ll be looking down” - heaven ⟷ sentiments from verse “you’ll never know how much i miss you” - him looking all the way up during the livestream

I can feel your blood run through me You’re written in my DNA Looking back in every mirror I know you’ll be waiting, I’ll see you again

very direct reference to him singing about a family member

again, her living on with him

afterlife!

I promised you I’d do this So all of this is all for you Oh, I swear to God you’re living Through everything I’ll ever do

clearly had a conversation before she passed away, her asking him to keep going and make his own dreams come true - first just hold on live performance

selfless: he is dedicating his life to his mother - living to honor her memory - how well does he value his life for him?

religion

We’ll end just like we started Just you and me and no one else I will hold you where my heart is One life for the two of us

it started with him and his mom, the two of them against the world

SYNTHESIS

Grief is something incredibly complicated and deep, which always brings out emotions that one never experienced before. This song obviously recounts those moments, where Louis was struggling because of his grief, because he missed his mother. Along with this grief is the story of how he was already down and out before experiencing that grief - for an array of reasons, without a doubt - that his mom still guided him through before passing. That was such a powerful moment, or memory, or element in their relationship as a whole, that it’s at the heart of what this song is about: it’s his mom who always knew how to keep him from going under. And now that he has to navigate life without her, he needs to repeat her words back to him and embody what she knew what he wanted to be.

Honestly so much on this album mentions the need for encouragement, a reason, to go on, and I don’t know how well I can get into that without breaking down.

Louis mentioned many times before that this song is one he knew he had to write to make the album feel like it was something. That basically sums up what the core message is of the song: Louis’s work, his life, is entirely dedicated to his mother, who undoubtedly asked him, made him promise, to go through with it all. If it weren’t for her and what she told him, who knows what might have happened. Now that she’s gone, Louis knows what to do to honor her memory and wishes to the best of his abilities. What was said between them we will never know, but that isn’t even necessary to know what the bottom line was: Louis was ready to give up. He was struggling to see the bigger picture and get through the days. You can do it day by day, she had to tell him. If you’re overwhelmed by whatever the future might bring, or what the world has in store, then focus on what’s right ahead and get through that. Life gets hard, shit gets overwhelming, but it is what it is and tomorrow is a new day. It’s like what he learned from his mother is translated into Don’t Let It Break Your Heart, having internalised the message enough for him to be able to spread it again. 

Life will never stop throwing shit at us, and we will always miss those that we’ve lost, but we keep going. If not for us, at some point, then for those who couldn’t. And we’ll make their memory shine through in every chance we take, in every moment we didn’t give up.