Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: goth
Song Meaning of “Praise for Nothing” by Your Tomorrow Alone
“Praise for Nothing” speaks of the feeling of frustration, exhaustion, and emptiness created by a life of putting in work and effort and not receiving any recognition or reward in return.
The narrator questions why they put in the effort when they feel their contributions and potential are unrecognized. They feel as though they cannot leave this cycle of under-appreciation and feel as if they are striving for something “beyond their reach” and yet, still making that effort.
The chorus acknowledges that this lack of recognition is likely to continue and the only thing that they can take solace in is just carrying on, “writing it down with no praise for nothing”. The feeling of this helplessness is strong in the open questioning of the chorus — why do this if no results come from their actions in people’s eyes.
The narrator is determined to continue this cycle with the resilience they have built up from previous efforts that have gone unrecognized and remain confident in their own capabilities and hope to maybe finally get their due in the end. This is further signified in the outro of the track with its statement of ultimate trust or “belief in something” as the narrator calmly accepts their current situation.
With this meaning, the track speaks of the struggles of those who put in untold effort and do not get back what they feel is due to them, leading them to search and persevere for anything to alleviate the emptiness and lack of recognition they feel.