Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: groove
Song Meaning of “Hollowpoint Promise” by Hemlock
“Hollowpoint Promise” by Hemlock looks at the struggles of a relationship gone wrong. The song speaks to the power of love by highlighting the deep betrayal and pain felt when a loved one breaks their promise. The narrator’s perspective of looking back at this broken relationship provides a sense of closure for the person who has been hurt.
The song reflects on how the narrator has been deceived, noting the sense of vulnerability built up in the past and the emptiness that comes with being betrayed. They ask, “where is your hollowpoint promise, where is that smile so honest?” The hollowpoint promise could be seen as a reference to the person’s trust being violated. The phrase suggests that this hollow promise could have been filled with bullets, delivering an especially sharp pain, or perhaps as a symbol of the way that promises are broken.
The song speaks to the courage it takes to move on from a relationship that has been filled with hurt. The narrator expresses the bittersweet realization that they must leave the safety of certainty and vulnerability behind, receding into a state of relative contentment. As they reflect on their past relationship, they come to terms with the truth of the situation, asserting, “you were a lie and love will never set us free”. This sentiment shows that the narrator has accepted their situation, leaving behind the promise they once held for a better future.
Ultimately, “Hollowpoint Promise” speaks to the power of love, as it can both build up or destroy relationships. Yet, even when that love is gone, there can still be strength in accepting what has been lost and letting it go.