Meaning of "Denial" by Sevendust

The lyrics of "Denial" explore the frustration and disappointment that arise when someone refuses to communicate honestly and openly. The repetition of the phrase "Never say what you mean, all I hear is scream" reflects the feeling of being constantly deceived or manipulated by this person. The protagonist expresses their desire for the other person to be sincere and straightforward, as indicated by the line "Never say that to me." The frustration intensifies when the protagonist realizes that the other person is hiding or avoiding something, as portrayed in the lines "Wipe that shit off your face, let's don't stop till we bleed." There is a sense that the more this person speaks, the less trust the protagonist has in their words, as stated in the line "The more you spit out your mouth the less I believe."

The word "denial" is repeated throughout the song, serving as a central theme and reinforcing the idea that the other person is refusing to face the truth or take responsibility for their actions. The protagonist feels burdened by having to be the one to speak honestly, saying "Relied on me to say it all." This suggests that the other person relies on the protagonist to express the truth because they are incapable of doing so themselves. The repetition of the phrase "Denial has left you all alone" further emphasizes the consequences of the other person's refusal to acknowledge reality. The protagonist feels a sense of separation and detachment due to the lack of sincerity and trust.

Overall, the lyrics of "Denial" convey a mixture of frustration, disappointment, and betrayal. The protagonist longs for the other person to be honest and open, but instead, they are met with avoidance and deception. The repetition of the word "denial" heightens the theme of avoiding the truth, while the repeated phrase "Never put that on me" emphasizes the protagonist's unwillingness to take responsibility for the other person's actions. Ultimately, the lyrics encapsulate the emotional toll of dealing with someone who refuses to communicate honestly and the resulting sense of isolation and detachment.