The meaning of the lyrics of the song "All for You" by the artist "Years Years"

In the song "All for You" by Years & Years, the lyrical hero experiences a painful breakup. He addresses his former lover, who seems to have been selfish and manipulative towards him.

The hero doubts the reality of the past ("Was it all in my imagination?"), realizing that his partner suppressed him while pretending to be perfect ("You had the power, but forgetting it, you gave directions to all the demons"). He feels betrayed because he believed in a future together ("I thought we'd grow over time").

The chorus emphasizes the former lover's indifference to the hero's feelings ("You look like you're scared as hell. I don't really believe you care"). The phrase "You played your game, it was all for you" is key, revealing the essence of the relationship: all the partner's actions were dictated by their own interests.

The hero tries to make sense of what happened, looks for blame in himself ("And I spent a year wondering if it was all my fault?"), but eventually realizes that the deception and selfishness of his former partner would inevitably lead to collapse.

At the end of the song, the hero, having experienced pain and despair, finds the strength to say "goodbye", freeing himself from a toxic relationship. Repeating the phrase "It was all for you" emphasizes that the hero finally understands: the partner acted solely in their own interests.