Meaning of It’s Only Make Believe by Mariah Carey

The Mariah Carey song titled "It's Only Make Believe" is a heart-wrenching ballad that explores the complexities of love and the illusion of a perfect relationship. The overall theme of the song revolves around the concept of deception and the lengths one goes to keep up appearances, even when deep down they know it's all just a facade.One of the standout lyrics in the song is, "People see us everywhere, they think you really care." This lyric speaks to the notion of the image we project to the world and how easily others can be fooled by appearances. It delves into the theme of societal expectations and the pressure to maintain a perfect relationship, even if it's not genuine.Another important lyric in the song is, "My heart's a wedding ring, my all, my everything." This line represents the protagonist's deep devotion and willingness to sacrifice everything for love. It emphasizes the theme of unconditional love and the belief that love can conquer all, even if it's built on an illusion.The lyric, "No one will ever know how much I love you so" delves into the theme of hidden emotions and unrequited love. It speaks to the protagonist's inner turmoil and the loneliness that comes from loving someone who may never truly reciprocate those feelings. It touches on the idea of longing and the power of unspoken emotions."My hopes, my dreams come true, my one and only you" represents the longing for a perfect love and the desire for fulfillment. It illustrates the belief that the object of affection is the key to happiness and the ultimate source of joy. This theme explores the idea of idealization and how we often place unrealistic expectations on our partners.The line, "But it's only make believe" is the central motif that ties all the themes together. It highlights the idea that the entire relationship is built on illusions and fabrications. It brings forth the theme of disillusionment and the realization that everything we believed was true, was merely a figment of our imagination.Overall, "It's Only Make Believe" is a hauntingly beautiful song that delves into the complexities of love, deception, and the struggle to maintain a facade. Through its thought-provoking lyrics, it explores themes of societal expectations, unconditional love, hidden emotions, idealization, and ultimately, the crushing revelation that it was all just make-believe.