Meaning of "Judas" by Banks

"Judas" delves into the theme of a toxic and manipulative relationship. The lyrics depict a partner who has been dishonest and deceitful, leaving the narrator feeling betrayed and hurt. The line "Never came around to make this house into a home" suggests that the partner never put in the effort to establish a genuine and loving relationship. Instead, they elevated themselves above the narrator, metaphorically placing them on a pedestal and a throne. The skeletons in the closet symbolize the partner's hidden secrets and dark past. The narrator takes notice of the partner's pride in causing them pain, implying a sadistic enjoyment in inflicting emotional harm on them.

The repetition of "Judas," coupled with the description of the partner's pretentiousness fading, highlights their betrayal and disloyalty. The narrator recognizes the partner's manipulative tendencies and their ability to foresee their actions. They mention the partner's backward ways of making them stay, indicating emotional manipulation and manipulation of their sense of attachment. The partner begs for thread, which could symbolize a desperate plea for reassurance or emotional support, but the narrator asserts that the partner needs to change their perspective and behavior instead.

The lyrics convey the narrator's realization that being alone might be a better option for their own well-being. The line "I need to make an effort, this should be effortless" signifies the narrator's acknowledgment that relationships require effort from both individuals, and the toxic relationship has been anything but effortless. They also accept the impermanence of relationships, stating that nothing can last forever, contrasting with the partner's pessimistic view. The partner once valued the narrator as a prized possession, but now they are left wondering who their true savior is. The narrator eventually realizes that the partner's departure was not for any noble reasons but rather a self-destructive act.

In the end, the narrator reflects on their numbness, admitting that they have become desensitized to the pain caused by the partner's betrayal. This numbness shields them from feeling the knife in their back, which symbolizes the partner's continued acts of betrayal. The repetition of "Judas" throughout the song emphasizes the partner's betrayal and paints them as a treacherous figure, similar to the biblical character of Judas who betrayed Jesus.