Unconditional
Adam Watts Lyrics
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He doesn't care at all
The more he hates
The cooler he becomes
Give the man a prize
He doesn't sympathize
He's in control
(chorus)
He won't wait for you
You're gonna have to catch up
Careful what you do
This isn't unconditional love
This isn't unconditional love
Give the girl her space
She's gotta run her race
Her fire burns
In all directions proud
She has a void inside
You wouldn't believe the size
Some years ago
Her soul was beaten down
(chorus)
She won't give to you
You're never gonna get enough
Careful what you do
This isn't unconditional love
This isn't unconditional love
(bridge)
Someone call a doctor
We're all a little sick
We're dying on the alter
Our clocks, they barely tick
Somewhere there's a cure
But people aren't that wise (no, no, no)
Please forgive the preaching
But I put my faith in Christ
(chorus)
He will care for you
Even if you've given up
No matter what you do
It's an unconditional love
It's an unconditional love
The song Unconditional by Adam Watts seems to highlight the contrast between two types of individuals. The first is someone who is selfish, detached, and uncaring, whose actions reveal a lack of empathy and a desire to be seen as cool and in control. The second is someone who is passionate, fiery, and proud, but who also carries a deep void within that comes from experiencing great pain in the past. These individuals are portrayed as representative of larger societal issues, as the bridge suggests that humanity as a whole is "a little sick" and "dying on the altar" due to a lack of wisdom and a need for healing. However, despite the bleakness of this portrayal, the chorus reassures that there is hope for unconditional love in the world - not from anything that humans can do or offer each other, but only through the redemptive power of faith in Christ.
The lyrics of this song can be interpreted in various ways, but it seems to be a commentary on the way that people often either numb themselves to avoid pain or embrace pain as a way of showing strength, but ultimately neither of these approaches brings lasting satisfaction or love. The man who is detached and the girl who is proud both have their flaws and limitations, and it is only when one seeks a higher power beyond oneself that the possibility of truly unconditional love arises. This is further emphasized in the bridge's references to sickness, death, and the need for a cure. Overall, the song seems to be a call to seek something greater than oneself, in order to find the healing and love that the world so desperately needs.
Line by Line Meaning
Give the man a medal
Acknowledge the man's achievement
He doesn't care at all
He is indifferent to the opinions of others
The more he hates
The more he dislikes someone or something
The cooler he becomes
The more popular he appears to be
Give the man a prize
Award the man for his accomplishments
He doesn't sympathize
He doesn't show pity towards others
He's in control
He has power over his situation
He's so detached and free
He is unconcerned and liberated from whatever holds him back
She won't give to you
She won't let you access what she has to offer
You're never gonna get enough
You'll never be satisfied with what she gives you
She's gotta run her race
She needs to follow her own path
Her fire burns
She is passionate about what she does
In all directions proud
She feels confident in her abilities in many areas
She has a void inside
She has an emotional emptiness within her
You wouldn't believe the size
It's bigger than you can imagine
Some years ago
In the past
Her soul was beaten down
She was emotionally defeated at one point
Someone call a doctor
We need help
We're all a little sick
We are all affected by something
We're dying on the alter
We are suffering on the battlefield of life
Our clocks, they barely tick
Our time is running out
Somewhere there's a cure
There is a solution
But people aren't that wise (no, no, no)
Sadly, many people don't know how to find the cure
Please forgive the preaching
I apologize for lecturing
But I put my faith in Christ
I believe in the power of Jesus Christ to save us
He will care for you
Jesus will show love and compassion to you
Even if you've given up
Even if you think all is lost
No matter what you do
Regardless of your actions
It's an unconditional love
Jesus' love has no limits or conditions
This isn't unconditional love
The love described earlier in the song is not true or real love
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: ADAM WATTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind