Love Is Like a Bottle of Gin
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
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It makes you think you're pretty tough
It makes you prone to crime and sin
It makes you say things off the cuff
It's very small and made of glass
And grossly over-advertised
It turns a genius into an ass
And makes a fool think he is wise
It could make you regret your birth
Or turn cartwheels in your best suit
It costs a lot more than it's worth
And yet there is no substitute
They keep it on a higher shelf
The older and more pure it grows
It has no color in itself
But it can make you see rainbows
You can find it on the Bowery
Or you can find it at Elaine's
It makes your words more flowery
It makes the sun shine, makes it rain
You just get out what they put in
And they never put in enough
Love is like a bottle of gin
But a bottle of gin is not like love
The Magnetic Fields's "Love Is Like a Bottle of Gin" is a song that compares love to alcohol - specifically, gin. The lyrics paint an image of the dangerous and unpredictable nature of love, comparing it to the effects of drinking gin. The song suggests that love can create an altered sense of reality, leading to risky behavior and foolish decisions. The line "It makes you blind, it does you in" speaks to the idea that love can cloud judgment and lead to bad decisions. The line "It makes a fool think he is wise" suggests that love can create a false sense of confidence, leading individuals to make decisions that they may later regret.
The song also touches on the subject of addiction. The lyrics "It costs a lot more than it's worth, and yet there is no substitute" speaks to the idea that love can be addictive and difficult to replace. The line "You just get out what they put in, and they never put in enough" speaks to the idea that individuals may put too much of themselves into a relationship and not receive enough in return.
Overall, "Love Is Like a Bottle of Gin" is a song that explores the complicated and often contradictory nature of love, painting it as both beautiful and dangerous.
Line by Line Meaning
It makes you blind, it does you in
Love can deceive you and cause you harm
It makes you think you're pretty tough
Love gives you a sense of strength and confidence
It makes you prone to crime and sin
Love can make you do things you wouldn't normally do
It makes you say things off the cuff
Love can make you speak without thinking
It's very small and made of glass
Love is fragile and can easily be broken
And grossly over-advertised
Love is often sensationalized and misrepresented in media
It turns a genius into an ass
Love can make intelligent people act foolishly
And makes a fool think he is wise
Love can make foolish people feel wise and knowledgeable
It could make you regret your birth
Love can cause deep emotional distress
Or turn cartwheels in your best suit
Love can bring joy and excitement
It costs a lot more than it's worth
The emotional toll of love is often high
And yet there is no substitute
Despite the cost, people still seek out and value love
They keep it on a higher shelf
Love is often idealized and held up as something to aspire to
The older and more pure it grows
Love that endures and matures over time is highly valued
It has no color in itself
Love is not defined by superficial qualities
But it can make you see rainbows
Love can bring beauty and wonder into your life
You can find it on the Bowery
Love can be found in unlikely places
Or you can find it at Elaine's
Love can be found in high-end, expensive places
It makes your words more flowery
Love can inspire the use of poetic or romantic language
It makes the sun shine, makes it rain
Love can dramatically affect your mood and emotions
You just get out what they put in
What you get from love depends on what you and your partner invest in it
And they never put in enough
People often feel that their partner doesn't invest as much in the relationship as they do
Love is like a bottle of gin
Love can be intoxicating and unpredictable
But a bottle of gin is not like love
Despite superficial similarities, love is more complex and valuable than alcohol
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Raymond Merritt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind