You Wanted More
(Lifelines - 2002) A-HA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've seen the signs, outside your door
You've set the rules, their bitter taste,
Can't be ignored
It's just the same, just like before
You wanted more
I loved the sun, I loved the rain
I loved the way, it was before
So bittersweet to be adored
We had it all, you let it go
You wanted more
But in the end, what is a friend
If not someone, to help pretend
Remember me, you know my name
I'm still the same
But not for you, that's not enough
You wanted more
I loved the sun, I loved the rain
I gave it up, but all in vain
We couldn't change, you know the score
So bittersweet to be adored
We had it all, you gave it up
You wanted more
We had it all, you gave it up
You wanted more
But in the end, what is a friend!
You loved the way, it used to be
The way it was, with you and me
It came too late, and left too soon
Just like the rings around the moon
We had it all, you let it go
You wanted more
We had it all, you gave it up
You wanted more
The song "You Wanted More" by A-HA describes a relationship where one person has higher expectations and desires than the other. The singer acknowledges that their partner has set the rules, but they are bitter and difficult to ignore. Despite having everything they once wanted, their partner still wants more. The singer reflects on their own sacrifices for the relationship but ultimately accepts that it was not enough. They recognize that their ex-partner was unable to find what they were seeking, and no matter how much love and support they gave, it was not sufficient. The song concludes with the reflection that the relationship was never truly a friendship, as a true friend helps "pretend" and is not fixated on getting more.
The lyrics of "You Wanted More" highlight the difficulties and complexities of relationships. Relatable to many, this song speaks of the struggle of trying to meet someone's expectations while feeling like it is never enough. Interestingly, the song begins and ends with the spoken phrase "You know the way you've been before," emphasizing the cyclical and repetitive nature of the relationship. Other possible interpretations include addiction, unfulfilled promises, or the struggle for power in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You know the way, you've been before
You have experience with this and have been down this road before
I've seen the signs, outside your door
I have noticed the warning signs that something is off
You've set the rules, their bitter taste,
Can't be ignored
You have established the controlling guidelines, but they are unpleasant
It's just the same, just like before
You wanted more
Things have repeated, but you are still not satisfied
I loved the sun, I loved the rain
I gave it up, but all in vain
I used to enjoy all of life's experiences, but now they are no longer fulfilling
I loved the way, it was before
So bittersweet to be adored
I reminisce about the past, where love and attention were present, but it is also painful to remember
We had it all, you let it go
You wanted more
We had everything we needed, but you still weren't content and let it slip away
But in the end, what is a friend
If not someone, to help pretend
At the end of it all, what is the point of a friend if they cannot help pretend like everything is okay
Remember me, you know my name
I'm still the same
Do not forget who I am; I am unchanged
But not for you, that's not enough
You wanted more
Remaining the same is not enough for you, you still desire more
We couldn't change, you know the score
So bittersweet to be adored
We could not alter the situation, even though being adored is nice, the outcome is still painful
We had it all, you gave it up
You wanted more
We had everything, yet you surrendered it all, still unfulfilled and wanting more
You loved the way, it used to be
The way it was, with you and me
You long to return to how things were between us
It came too late, and left too soon
Just like the rings around the moon
The positive feelings came and went quickly, like the passing of a lunar halo
We had it all, you let it go
You wanted more
We had everything we needed, but you still weren't content and let it slip away
We had it all, you gave it up
You wanted more
We had everything we needed, but you still weren't content and let it slip away
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MAGNE FURUHOLMEN, MORTEN HARKET, PAL WAAKTAAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind