Ugly Truth

Soundgarden

You hide your eyes
But the ugly truth
Just loves to give it away
You gave yourself

If you were mine to give
I might throw it away
You share but money can't give
What the truth takes away
Throw it away

I painted my eyes
Ugly isn't what I want to see
I painted my mind
Ugly isn't what I want to be

I don't mind but the truth
Don't look that good on me
Throw it away

I don't think I really
Understand you
And I can't see why
I'd ever want to

And even if it isn't mine to say
I'll say it anyway
It's ugly

If you're not mine to give

If you were mine to give, I might throw it away
But money can't give
What the truth takes away
Throw it away

If you were mine to give, I might throw it away


Lyrics submitted by jt

Ugly Truth Lyrics as written by Christopher J. Cornell

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC

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Ugly Truth song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • +3
    General CommentI think Topchris got a little bit of the meaning.

    I doubt its about Chris personally, most of his music doesn't seem so self involved, but more politically involved.

    In general, this song is most likely about the public of American/western culture consistantly believing other people's fake truths, and not the real 'ugly' truth. He doesn't say whether that ugly truth is cultural and mental imperialism, censorship, environmental crisis, or one of the other similar topics Chris explores much during this time period, but I'd assume it's along those lines.
    Xlarizaon June 26, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General CommentThis song has some great vocals. It sounds like Chris hates the truth around this time. Why bother tell the truth? Just throw in some lies here, exaggerations there and everyone's happy. Hey, it's what they wanted to hear anyway right?
    Topchrison December 04, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentIt seems to be about turning a blind eye to somebody or something that is corrupt, and the guilt that stems from the ugly truth behind the false persona. Most likely this sounds like a government criticism, with money being an indicating factor of people being paid off to look the other way. It seems to read that the government has given itself up to corruption and the POV seems to be someone feeling guilty over having some kind of responsibility here (maybe a personification of the government itself). Because of this they have no right to say but they can at least acknowledge the situation is ugly, so the only thing left to do is throw away the truth and live in ignorance.
    Haz567on September 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commentgreat song but i don't admire the lyrics, they are similar to uncovered maybe there was an actual resentment to truth or to a secret that was let out during the louder than love period.

    He doesn't seem to appreciate truth at that time because honesty has made him look like a bad person
    "Ugly isn't what I want to be
    I don't mind but the truth
    Don't look that good on me"

    yah i really love the music and the way it is sung and i suppose it suits the music well but its not much to read.
    ThayilBeGodon September 21, 2005   Link

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