Truthfully

"Truthfully" by DNCE is a poignant exploration of unrequited love within a relationship. The song delves into the painful realization that one partner is more emotionally invested than the other. Lead singer Joe Jonas explained that the song is about having an "honest conversation with yourself" and accepting the difficult truth that "maybe I loved them more than they loved me and life goes on." The lyrics narrate the story of a former player who falls deeply in love, only to find himself in a tumultuous relationship where his feelings are not equally reciprocated. The partner deflects from the real issue, blaming their problems on "bad timing," while the protagonist sees the clearer, more painful picture: a fundamental imbalance of affection. The song captures the vulnerability and heartache of loving someone more than they love you back, and the eventual, sad acceptance of that reality.

The narrative begins with a reflection on a past self, a persona who was once emotionally detached and adept at avoiding commitment. The protagonist recalls being the one who would dodge phone calls from women he had casual encounters with. This established pattern of behavior was abruptly shattered by the arrival of a significant person, described metaphorically as hitting him “like a brick wall.” This encounter was so impactful that it completely changed his perspective and priorities, knocking him “out of his head.”

This new relationship transformed his life, turning mundane Mondays into exciting Fridays and making him feel an exhilarating high without any external stimulants. He found himself constantly dreaming of this person, integrating them into every aspect of his thoughts. However, this dreamlike state eventually soured, leaving him feeling like a “joke.” The core of the song's conflict is revealed in a moment of stark honesty. The protagonist confronts the endless fighting and the partner's tendency to blame external factors like “bad timing.” He cuts through these excuses to state the painful and simple truth: “I love you more than you love me.”

The second verse delves deeper into the imbalance of the relationship. Merely getting the partner's time and attention was a constant “challenge,” reducing the protagonist to begging for affection “like a schoolboy.” Over time, he felt he was being treated not as a cherished partner, but as a “bad habit,” something to be indulged in and then discarded. This painful dynamic leaves him with no other option but to face the harsh reality of the situation.

The chorus repeats, reinforcing the central theme of unreciprocated love and the frustration of their constant arguments. The bridge marks a turning point of realization and resignation. The protagonist acknowledges that there’s “no use trying” to get them on the same page. He has come to understand that his partner's declarations of love are dishonest, stating, “When you say that you love me, you’re lying.” This final acceptance leads to a last, heart-wrenching repetition of the chorus, solidifying the song's melancholic conclusion about a love that was never truly equal.

"Truthfully" was released on November 18, 2016, as a track on DNCE's debut self-titled studio album. The album was recorded following the massive success of their debut single "Cake by the Ocean" and the EP "Swaay" (2015). The song was co-written by Joe Jonas, Justin Tranter, Rami Yacoub, Albin Nedler, and Kristoffer Fogelmark. The production was handled by Rami, Kristoffer Fogelmark, and Albin Nedler. In interviews, the band described their songwriting process for the album as fun and collaborative, often involving playing games and drinking to create a relaxed atmosphere. While much of the album has an upbeat, party vibe, "Truthfully" is one of the few slower, more emotional tracks. The band mentioned that they pull from personal experiences when writing, and an emotional song like "Truthfully" happens naturally when they are going through something that lends itself to a more somber tune.

"Truthfully" employs a relatively simple and direct rhyme scheme, primarily using perfect rhymes in an AABB or ABCB pattern within its verses to create a cohesive and memorable lyrical flow. For example, in the first verse, "calls" rhymes with "wall" and "bed" rhymes with "head". This straightforward structure makes the lyrics easy to follow and adds to the song's pop sensibility. The rhythm of the song is set to a moderate tempo, creating a ballad-like feel that supports the introspective and melancholic theme. The lyrical phrasing often follows the gentle rhythm of the guitar melody, creating a smooth interplay between the music and the vocals. The chorus features a more emphatic and rhythmically pronounced delivery, especially on the key line, "Speakin' truthfully, I love you more than you love me," which serves as the song's emotional and rhythmic climax.

Musically, "Truthfully" stands out on the "DNCE" album for its more subdued, balladic style compared to the band's usual upbeat funk-pop sound. The arrangement is built around a gentle, melodic guitar line and a steady, simple drum beat, allowing Joe Jonas's emotional vocal delivery to take center stage. The production incorporates soft, atmospheric elements, including subtle background vocals and layered harmonies that enhance the song's melancholic mood. Jonas's vocal performance is a key stylistic element; he moves from a softer, more reflective tone in the verses to a more impassioned and pleading quality in the chorus, effectively conveying the song's building frustration and heartache. The chord progression, often cited by guitar players, is relatively straightforward (using chords like C, G, D, Em), which is typical for pop ballads and allows the lyrical narrative to be the primary focus. This contrasts with the more rhythmically complex and disco-influenced tracks elsewhere on the album.

While not one of DNCE's major chart-topping singles like "Cake by the Ocean," "Truthfully" holds a significant place in their discography as a fan favorite that showcases the band's emotional depth and versatility beyond their party anthems. The song is from their self-titled debut album, "DNCE," which was released on November 18, 2016, and debuted at number 17 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album itself received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the band's fun-loving, disco-pop style and Joe Jonas's mature vocals. "Truthfully" often received attention during live performances, where the band would play acoustic versions that highlighted its lyrical and emotional core. The song also found resonance within the Jonas Brothers' fandom, especially after the band's hiatus, with Joe Jonas occasionally performing it during Jonas Brothers' concerts, indicating its personal significance and its enduring appeal to his audience.

The lyrics of "Truthfully" employ several key metaphors to illustrate the song's emotional journey.

• "You came around like a brick wall / You knocked me out, out of my head": This powerful simile conveys the sudden and overwhelming impact the love interest had on the narrator. A brick wall symbolizes an immovable, powerful force that completely stopped him in his tracks and altered his previous carefree lifestyle.
• "Treating my Mondays like Fridays": This metaphor highlights the transformative effect of the relationship on the narrator's daily life. Mondays, typically associated with the drudgery of the start of the week, felt as exciting and liberating as Fridays, signifying the joy and energy this person initially brought into his life.
• "Started treating me like a bad habit": This metaphor is central to the song's theme of unreciprocated love. It suggests that the narrator feels used and then discarded, like a vice that someone indulges in but ultimately feels guilty about or wants to quit. It encapsulates the feeling of being wanted for convenience rather than genuine love.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the titular line, "Speakin' truthfully." This phrase acts as a powerful motif that frames the entire emotional confession of the song. It appears at the beginning of each chorus, signaling a shift from the narrative of the verses to a moment of brutal honesty. The repetition emphasizes the narrator's desperate need to cut through the excuses and address the core problem in the relationship. The second part of this recurring chorus, "I love you more than you love me," is the heartbreaking conclusion that the narrator returns to. Its repetition hammers home the central theme of imbalanced affection and serves as the song's primary emotional anchor. The act of blaming "bad timing" is another recurring idea, highlighting the partner's avoidance of the truth, which contrasts sharply with the narrator's own commitment to speaking truthfully.