Dua Lipa isn’t afraid to get personal on her third album, Radical Optimism.
While much of the record celebrates love and self-empowerment, These Walls, released on May 3, 2024, takes an unflinching look at the pain of a crumbling relationship.
This track delivers a surprisingly raw and explicit exploration of a love gone wrong, leaving fans captivated.
The Deceptive Calm
These Walls might initially lull you into a false sense of security. Danny L Harle’s production is airy and breezy, reminiscent of a carefree summer day.
But, like the relationship Dua Lipa describes, this lightness is a clever façade.
Her lyrics slice with precision: “Maybe we should switch careers / ‘Cause, baby, you know no one beats our poker faces.”
“If These Walls Could Talk…”
The song’s boldness peaks in the chorus, where Lipa curses with a sense of abandon not found elsewhere on Radical Optimism.
The pivotal line, “If these walls could talk,” introduces a compelling element of personification.
The walls become witnesses to the relationship’s demise, embodying a silent judgement that even Dua Lipa can’t deny.
In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Dua Lipa revealed that she wrote the song on January 16, 2023, inspired by the idea that “rooms capture things and they hold on to things,” including the energy of two people arguing.
“This song is a really good example of addressing the inevitable, it’s that conversation that no one really wants to have, but you have to do it,” she said.
This adds a layer of unspoken complexity to the song and its titular metaphor.
These Walls Lyrics Breakdown: A Tale of Emotional Turmoil
The lyrics of These Walls paint a vivid picture of a couple grappling with the harsh realities of their failing relationship.
From the opening lines of These Walls, Dua Lipa sets the tone with clever metaphors and introspective observations:
“Maybe we should switch careers / ‘Cause, baby, you know no one beats our poker faces / And when the night ends up in tears / Wake up and we blame it all on being wasted”
Here, Dua Lipa metaphorically suggests that the couple has become so adept at masking their true emotions and deflecting responsibility for their issues that they should consider pursuing careers as professional poker players.
As the song progresses, the lyrics of These Walls become increasingly raw and emotionally charged, reflecting the emotional turmoil of a relationship on the brink of collapse:
“They’d tell us, ‘Go and face your fears’ / It’s getting worse the longer that we stay together / We call it love, but hate it here / Did we really mean it when we said forever?”
These Walls lyrics in this instance acknowledges the couple’s reluctance to confront the harsh realities of their situation, as their relationship continues to deteriorate the longer they remain together.
Dua Lipa poignantly questions whether their past declarations of eternal love were genuine or simply hollow promises.
The lyrics throughout These Walls are unflinchingly honest. She acknowledges the shared blame in her relationship’s decline.
Yet, there’s a clear recognition that delaying the inevitable hurts more than facing the difficult truth.
Vocal and Instrumental Nuances
Dua Lipa’s vocal delivery on These Walls is a masterclass in conveying complex emotions through cadence and dynamics.
Her voice shifts from softer, more introspective verses to a powerful and assertive chorus, reflecting the song’s theme of a tumultuous relationship coming to an end.
Instrumentally, the track features a blend of elements that complement Dua Lipa’s vocal performance.
The production, courtesy of Danny L Harle, introduces a surfy and wind-swept sound that initially gives the impression of a soothing balm.
However, as the lyrics delve deeper into the emotional turmoil, the instrumentation evolves to match the intensity of the narrative.
The drum programming adds a rhythmic foundation that drives the song forward, while the use of a thumb piano adds a unique texture to the track, contributing to its distinctive sound.
The Takeaway: A Standout Track
Dua Lipa’s These Walls stands out on Radical Optimism for its vulnerability and lyrical bite.
It offers a refreshing break from familiar pop formulas, delivering a potent dose of relatable heartbreak. If you’re searching for cathartic pop with a touch of defiance, give These Walls a spin.
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Dua Lipa These Walls Lyrics
Verse 1
Maybe we should switch careers
‘Cause, baby, you know no one beats our poker faces
And when the night ends up in tears
Wake up and we blame it all on being wasted
Pre-Chorus
Oh, this love is fadin’
So much we’re not sayin’
Chorus
But if these walls could talk
(They’d say) “Enough”
(They’d say) “Give up”
If these walls could talk
(They’d say) “You know”
(They’d say) “You’re fucked”
It’s not supposed to hurt this much
Oh, if these walls could talk
They’d tell us to break up
Post-Chorus
(These walls, these walls)
(These walls) They’d tell us to break up
(These walls, these walls)
(These walls, these walls)
Verse 2
They’d tell us, “Go and face your fears”
It’s getting worse the longer that we stay together
We call it love, but hate it here
Did we really mean it when we said forever?
Pre-Chorus
Oh, this love is fadin’
So much we’re not sayin’
Chorus
But if these walls could talk
(They’d say) “Enough”
(They’d say) “Give up”
(I know) If these walls could talk
(They’d say) “You know”
(They’d say) “You’re fucked”
It’s not supposed to hurt this much
Oh, if these walls could talk
They’d tell us to break up
Post-Chorus
(These walls, these walls)
(These walls) They’d tell us to break up
(These walls, these walls)
(These walls) They’d tell us to break up
Bridge
You don’t wanna go (Go)
Don’t wanna stop (Stop)
Heaven knows I (I)
Don’t wanna be the one to cut it off
Chorus
But if these walls could talk
(They’d say) “Enough”
(They’d say) “Give up” (Give it up, give it up, give it up)
If these walls could talk
(They’d say) “You know”
(They’d say) “You’re fucked”
(Yeah, you know, yeah, you know you’re fucked)
It’s not supposed to hurt this much
Oh, if these walls could talk
They’d tell us to break up
Post-Chorus
(These walls, these walls)
(These walls) They’d tell us to break up
(These walls, these walls)
(They’d tell us, “Break up”)
