You Give Love a Bad Name
Age of Ruin Lyrics


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Shot through the heart, and you're to blame, darling
You give love a bad name

An angel's smile is what you sell
You promise me heaven then put me through hell
Chains of love, got a hold on me
When passion's a prison you can't break free
You're a loaded gun, yeah
There's nowhere to run
No-one can save me, the damage is done

Shot through the heart, and you're to blame
You give love a bad name
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name
You give love a bad name

You paint your smile on your lips
Blood red nails on your fingertips
A school boys dream, you act so shy
Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye

You're a loaded gun
There's nowhere to run
No-one can save me, the damage is done

Shot through the heart, and you're to blame
You give love a bad name
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name
You give love

Shot through the heart and you're to blame
You give love a bad name
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name

Shot through the heart and you're to blame
You give love a bad name
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name

You give love
You give love a bad name
You give love
You give love a bad name




You give love
You give love a bad name

Overall Meaning

Age of Ruin's song "You Give Love a Bad Name" is a classic rock song with an emphasis on relationships, passion, and love. The song is filled with metaphors and similes that reference the ways in which the singer's lover has failed them in love. The song begins with the line "Shot through the heart, and you're to blame, darling, you give love a bad name." This line is a metaphorical reference to the painful feeling the singer experiences, almost as if they have been shot in the heart. However, instead of blaming the pain on an external cause, like a physical wound, the singer blames it on their lover, who has given love a bad name.


The lyrics go on to describe the ways in which the singer's lover has promised them heaven but delivered them hell. The chains of love have a hold on them, and the passion they once felt has become a prison they cannot break free from. The singer judges their lover as a "loaded gun" that has no place to go, no one that can save them, and the damage is already done. The singer's lover is accused of painting a smile on their lips and blood red nails on their fingertips; they act so shy that they may appear innocent, but in reality, they are a master manipulator that has left them heartbroken.


Overall, "You Give Love a Bad Name" is a critique of lovers who are deceitful, manipulative, and leave their partners feeling used and broken. It is a song about the pain of love, how quickly it can turn sour, and how easily it can leave someone feeling hurt and betrayed. The song is a classic rock and roll anthem that has stood the test of time and remains a fan-favorite.


Line by Line Meaning

Shot through the heart, and you're to blame, darling
I fell in love with you and now that love has caused me pain


You give love a bad name
Your actions have made me lose faith in love


An angel's smile is what you sell
You present yourself as someone kind and caring


You promise me heaven then put me through hell
You made me believe that you would bring me happiness but instead you caused me great suffering


Chains of love, got a hold on me
I feel trapped and unable to escape my feelings for you


When passion's a prison you can't break free
My intense emotions for you have become a burden that I cannot shake off


You're a loaded gun, yeah
You have the ability to cause great harm to me with your actions


There's nowhere to run
I am stuck in this situation and have no escape from it


No-one can save me, the damage is done
Even if someone were to intervene, the harm that has been caused to me is irreversible


I play my part and you play your game
We are both involved in this situation and it is like a game for you


You paint your smile on your lips
You pretend to be happy and content when really you are not


Blood red nails on your fingertips
You have a dangerous side to you that is hidden beneath the surface


A school boys dream, you act so shy
You have an innocent appearance that belies your true nature


Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye
Our relationship was doomed from the start and your actions have made me realize that now


You give love
Your actions towards me have led to disappointment and pain


You give love a bad name
Your behavior towards me has caused me to lose faith in love and relationships




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Richard Sambora, Desmond Child, Jon Bon Jovi

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

NEVERHEAD

This is Sweet! Wish i was there now :D \w/

Jameshroom

What bass guitar is your bassist using? :o

Benjamin Rice

I can't hear shit. Great song, though

NEVERHEAD

Screw You Atreyu AOR done it first :P

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