Julie Haven’s “Between the Lies” is a gut-wrenching, no-holds-barred dive into the pain and confusion of emotional abuse.
It’s a deeply personal story about losing yourself in a toxic relationship and fighting to find your way back. With its raw lyrics and haunting piano melody, Haven captures what it feels like to be broken down and made to question your own worth, all while clinging to the hope that you’re more than the lies you’ve been told.
Listen to “Between the Lies” here:
The song starts quietly, with a simple piano line that feels fragile, like it might break under the weight of the emotions it carries.
Haven’s voice is soft and vulnerable, but there’s an undercurrent of strength, even in her most uncertain moments. Lines like “Am I all the things he says I am?” hit hard, and capture perfectly that awful doubt that creeps in when someone you trust twists your reality.
As the track unfolds it transforms. Strings and percussion build layer by layer, echoing the emotional rollercoaster of trying to break free from manipulation.
There are sublte shifts in the music – moments of quiet introspection giving way to powerful, almost explosive crescendos. By the end, Haven’s voice soars and you can feel the strength she’s rediscovered. It’s cathartic, emotional, and deeply moving.
Haven says:
“Musically, like most of my songs, it came to me like it was already written. Every time I write a song, I hear the final version in my head with full production and all. I heard strings and soft music with sudden hard hits and breaking down again. In the middle of writing it, I felt like it was already a song and was nervous it wasn’t actually an original song. Although I am a firm believer that my songs come to me through divine sources and I am only a vessel they flow through, so maybe that’s why it felt like a song already.”
The music video brings the story to life with performances that feel painfully real.
Manny and Vickey, the actors portraying the toxic couple, deliver raw and intense scenes that are hard to watch but impossible to look away from. Haven appears as a kind of guardian angel figure, gently pulling Vickey’s character toward the truth and out of the nightmare.
It is clear that this is Haven’s story, a painful chapter of her life, not just a song or music video to forget. You can feel it in every detail, from the lyrics to the almost verbatim texts portrayed on screen.
What makes “Between the Lies” so powerful is its honesty.
Haven doesn’t sugarcoat the experience of being manipulated or the shame that can come with staying in an abusive relationship. But she also doesn’t leave you there. The song is about survival, about finding your voice again and realizing that the lies you’ve been fed aren’t your truth.
Maybe it’s a reminder that through the suffering there is a reminder there of one’s own strength.
Julie Haven is a Metro Detroit-based singer-songwriter known for her emotionally raw, piano-driven alt-pop.
Her music blends cinematic arrangements with soulful, dynamic vocals, drawing comparisons to artists like Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, and Sarah McLachlan. As a self-taught musician Julie began writing songs as a child and discovered solace in music during challenging times.
Over the years, she has performed across the U.S., releasing multiple EPs and a live album. Her upcoming full-length album entitled “Dramatic Departures” is a deeply personal exploration of love and heartbreak, set to release in spring 2024. J
Julie’s music continues to resonate with listeners through its vulnerability, sophistication, and timeless appeal.
Keep up to date with Julie Haven on her Website.
Stream music on Spotify, Soundcloud and YouTube Music.
