“Open Hearts” by The Weeknd is a poignant and introspective song that explores themes of emotional vulnerability, healing, and the struggle to open up to love again after experiencing pain. The lyrics reflect a journey of self-discovery and transformation, where material success contrasts with emotional emptiness, and love serves as a source of renewal and healing.
The song’s haunting melodies and raw emotion capture the fragility of love and the difficulty of trusting again, making it a deeply relatable and immersive experience.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“Open Hearts” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
I can hear the wind blow, even through the window
I can hear the whisper, even with my ears closed
All the silver and gold only made my skin cold
I told myself I would never get old, then you pulled me in close
Oh, oh, oh
The opening lines establish a heightened sensitivity to the world around the speaker, suggesting an introspective state. The mention of silver and gold making the skin cold metaphorically contrasts material wealth with emotional warmth, implying that success hasn’t provided fulfillment. The last line hints at a unexpected connection pulling the speaker out of emotional stagnation.
[Pre-Chorus]
Falling, angels call my name
But the things you say
Keeps me alive again
This section portrays a struggle between giving up (angels calling) and finding a reason to keep going through someone’s words or presence. It suggests that love or human connection serves as a source of renewal and healing.
[Chorus]
Where do I start
When I open my heart?
It’s never easy falling in love again
Cover my scars
When I open my arms
It’s never еasy falling in love again
The chorus directly addresses the main conflict of the song – learning to trust and love again after experiencing emotional wounds. The speaker questions how to begin opening their heart, acknowledging the difficulty of falling in love again. The desire to cover scars symbolizes seeking comfort and protection while embracing new love.
[Post-Chorus]
Falling in, falling in love
It’s nevеr easy falling in love again
Falling in, falling in love
Falling in love again
This section reinforces the central theme of the difficulty in falling in love again, emphasizing the cyclical nature of this emotional journey.
[Verse 2]
Trapped inside a limbo, watching through a window of my soul
Suffering, I’ve been low, then I seen your halo
Oh, oh, oh
The second verse depicts a state of emotional limbo, with the speaker feeling trapped and suffering. The mention of seeing a “halo” suggests a glimmer of hope or redemption appearing amidst the darkness.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Open Hearts”
“Open Hearts” by The Weeknd is a deeply introspective and emotionally raw exploration of vulnerability, healing, and the struggle to embrace love again after experiencing pain. The song delves into the complexities of opening oneself up to new relationships while still carrying the scars of past heartbreaks.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who has endured emotional trauma and is hesitant to fully trust in love again. The Weeknd uses powerful imagery to convey this internal conflict, such as hearing whispers even with closed ears, symbolizing the persistent echoes of past pain that linger despite attempts to shut them out. The mention of “silver and gold” making the skin cold represents the emptiness of material success in the face of emotional wounds, highlighting the contrast between external achievements and inner fulfillment.
Throughout the song, there’s a palpable tension between the desire to remain guarded and the longing for connection. The repeated refrain “It’s never easy falling in love again” encapsulates the central struggle of the narrative. This line resonates with listeners who have experienced the daunting challenge of opening up to someone new after enduring heartache, making the song’s emotional core universally relatable.
The Weeknd introduces elements of hope and redemption through metaphors like the “halo,” which symbolizes the potential for love to heal and renew. This imagery suggests that despite the pain of past experiences, there’s still a glimmer of light that draws the narrator back towards the possibility of love. The song captures the cyclical nature of emotional healing, where even in moments of darkness, there’s an allure that encourages one to risk vulnerability once more.
Ultimately, “Open Hearts” is a poignant reflection on the human capacity for resilience and the courage required to love again after being hurt. It acknowledges the scars left by past relationships while also recognizing the transformative power of new connections. The Weeknd’s vulnerable delivery and evocative lyrics create a deeply personal yet universally resonant narrative about the ongoing journey of emotional healing and the bittersweet process of opening one’s heart to love once more.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.