If You Really Love Nothing

Album: Marauder (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Interpol's Paul Banks explained to Q magazine that this galloping track is about the unwieldiness of love. "It ain't easy, man, on these streets" he laughed.
  • Interpol debuted the song when the band began their 2018 headline tour at Teatro de la Ciudad in Mexico City on August 13, 2018.
  • Paul Banks considers the song to have a similar sentiment to the one expressed by the Turn on the Bright Lights track "Stella was a diver and she was always down." He explained to NPR that both songs "center around a narrator who is perplexed by a woman with unwieldy psychological pathologies involving paranoia and dissociation. This song, like 'Stella,' suggests the narrator gives up on this woman ultimately."
  • The song's music video co-stars Twilight actress Kristen Stewart and American Horror Story actor Finn Wittrock as a couple who experience a night of drama at a swanky bar/restaurant. We watch Stewart's character sabotage their relationship, illustrating the song's dark, intense theme of destructive allure.

    "Kristen Stewart is the perfect actress for this part," said Banks. "I don't think there's anyone that could have better played the role. She nails it, and I love the performance from Finn Wittrock. Another wonderful casting choice - he plays the role of Kristen's beleaguered companion beautifully."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.