In 1980 Lennon told Playboy journalist David Sheff: "I always thought it was a lousy song. The lyrics were abysmal. I always hated that song."
In his 1994 biography Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now, McCartney said of the song: "Sometimes we didn't fight it if the lyric came out rather bland on some of those filler songs like 'It's Only Love'. If a lyric was really bad we'd edit it, but we weren't that fussy about it, because it's only a rock 'n' roll song. I mean, this is not literature."
It's Only Love
Beatles Lyrics
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When you sigh my inside just flies, (butterflies).
Why am I so shy when I'm beside you.
It's only love and that is all,
Why should I feel the way I do.
It's only love and that is all,
But it's so hard loving you.
Is it right that you and I should fight, (every night)
Just the sight of you makes nighttime bright, (very bright)
Haven't I the right to make it up girl.
It's only love and that is all,
Why should I feel the way I do.
It's only love and that is all,
But it's so hard loving you.
Yes it's so hard loving you.
Loving you.
The Beatles' It's Only Love is a beautiful ballad that speaks on the complexities and challenges of love. The opening lines of the song, "I get high when I see you go by, (my oh my), when you sigh my inside just flies, (butterflies)" portrays the overwhelming emotions that the singer feels for their lover. When the singer sees their lover, they feel an intense high, and when their lover sighs, they feel butterflies in their stomach. However, despite these intense emotions, the singer struggles with shyness around their lover, as the line "Why am I so shy when I'm beside you" suggests. It's a relatable and honest portrayal of the insecurity that many people feel in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I get high when I see you go by, (my oh my)
I feel ecstatic when I see you passing by.
When you sigh my inside just flies, (butterflies).
Your sighs create a fluttery feeling in my stomach.
Why am I so shy when I'm beside you.
I feel nervous and intimidated when I am around you.
It's only love and that is all,
The root cause of my emotions is simply love.
Why should I feel the way I do.
I am puzzled over why I feel this way.
But it's so hard loving you.
It's challenging to love you despite my strong feelings.
Is it right that you and I should fight, (every night)
Is it morally acceptable for us to argue frequently?
Just the sight of you makes nighttime bright, (very bright)
You brighten up my evenings whenever I see you.
Haven't I the right to make it up girl.
I feel entitled to make things right between us.
Yes it's so hard loving you.
It remains a significant burden for me to express my love for you.
Loving you.
Ultimately, my love for you is the root of all these emotions.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, JOHN WINSTON LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY, PAUL JAMES MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind