The BoDeans worked with T-Bone Burnett on their debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, which appeared in 1986 to warm reviews. They recruited another big-name producer, Talking Head Jerry Harrison, to helm 1987's Outside Looking In, which found the band reduced to a trio after the departure of Hoffman. Outside Looking In broke into the Billboard Top 100, and the BoDeans grew their audience by touring alongside U2, appearing on Robbie Robertson's self-titled solo album, and receiving the honor of Best New Band by Rolling Stone magazine. By the time they released their third album, Home, in 1989, keyboardist Michael Ramos and drummer Danny Gayol had joined. This lineup stayed intact for the release of 1991's Black and White, but the BoDeans went without a drummer once again on their next recording, Go Slow Down.
Following the release of a double-disc live album, Joe Dirt Car, the band returned in 1996 with Blend. Around the time of Blend's release, "Closer to Free" -- a song that had originally appeared on 1993's Go Slow Down -- became a hit, due in large part to its exposure as the theme song for the TV show Party of Five. "Closer to Free" eventually cracked the Top 20, becoming the most successful single of the band's career. The BoDeans were arguably more popular than ever, but the band took a break during the late '90s, with both frontmen devoting time to their solo careers.
By 2004, the band had reconvened and signed with a new label, Zoe. Resolution was released that year, followed in 2005 by Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst. Griffin left the group in 2006 and was replaced by Eric Holden, who appeared on 2008's Still. By this point, the bandmates had found a new home on 429 Records, and they remained with that label for the release of Mr. Sad Clown in 2010 and Indigo Dreams in 2011. That same year saw the departure of Llanas, citing "differences of opinion." The band's 11th studio album, American Made, arrived the following year on the band's own Free & Alive label, and was the first with Neumann as sole leader. The BoDeans toured extensively in support of the release, and in 2014 began work on their next studio project. Released in 2015, I Cant Stop featured a new BoDeans lineup anchored by Neumann, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Sam Hawksley, bassist Eric Holden, and drummer Kenny Aronoff, the latter a well-respected journeyman musician who had played on several BoDeans recording sessions in the '90s. In June 2016, the BoDeans brought out a single, "My Hometown," with the release benefiting the Milwaukee County Historical Society. The single was a preview of the group's next album; titled Thirteen, the 11-song set was released in April 2017.
Hurt by Love
BoDeans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and my old man would always say to me
"In your lifetime, I pray you never feel
This broken I got in me
And all those wishing stars
Hang out where you are
Won't save me"
Anyone can see their heart strings come undone
You take the strong ones or weak ones just the same
When it comes down to love, sometimes it comes down to pain
And boy, this crazy world of fear
Well, it just ain't worth the price of wasted years
Glimpse that golden dream and let it fade away
No, I can't pretend today
And I stumble in and out
This confidence and doubt
Now all I really know
Is anyone can be
And anyone can be hurt by love
Anyone can see their heart strings come undone
You take the strong ones or weak ones just the same
When it comes down to love, sometimes it comes down to pain
And I stumble in and out
This confidence and doubt
Now all I really know
Is anyone can be
And anyone can be hurt by love
Anyone can see their heart strings come undone
You take the strong ones or weak ones just the same
When it comes down to love, sometimes it comes down to pain
BoDeans’s song “Hurt by Love” talks about the universal experience of heartbreak and the pain that comes with it. The lyrics convey a sense of melancholy and resignation as the singer acknowledges the fragility of human emotions and the unpredictable nature of love. The opening lines, “Boy, I've seen some better days / and my old man would always say to me / ‘In your lifetime, I pray you never feel / This broken I got in me’” captures the sense of generational trauma that can sometimes impact one’s ability to form healthy relationships. The father’s warning is a testament to the depth of pain that love can sometimes bring.
The main theme of the song is that anyone can be hurt by love, irrespective of their strength or weakness. Whether strong or weak, young or old, love can break even the strongest of people. The lyric, “You take the strong ones or weak ones just the same / When it comes down to love, sometimes it comes down to pain” is a reminder that no one is immune to the effects of love. The song urges listeners not to be consumed by their pain or bitterness but to move on from past hurts and cherish the memories of love that once brought them joy.
Overall, the song’s melancholic melody and lyrics are a reminder that love can be a double-edged sword, capable of bringing immense joy and heart-wrenching pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Boy, I've seen some better days
I have gone through happier times in my life
and my old man would always say to me
My father would often tell me
"In your lifetime, I pray you never feel
"I hope you never experience
This broken I got in me
The pain and brokenness that I am feeling
And all those wishing stars
All the hopes and dreams
Hang out where you are
Exist wherever you may be
Won't save me"
Cannot rescue me from my pain
And anyone can be hurt by love
No one is immune to the pain caused by love
Anyone can see their heart strings come undone
Anyone's emotions can unravel and fall apart
You take the strong ones or weak ones just the same
The pain affects everyone regardless of their strength or weakness
When it comes down to love, sometimes it comes down to pain
Love can often lead to heartache and suffering
And boy, this crazy world of fear
The world we live in is filled with anxiety and insecurity
Well, it just ain't worth the price of wasted years
It's not worth losing valuable time and experiences to fear
Glimpse that golden dream and let it fade away
Catch a glimpse of your hopes and dreams, but then let them slip away
No, I can't pretend today
I can't fake my emotions or put up a facade
And I stumble in and out
I struggle with my emotions and thoughts
This confidence and doubt
I have moments of both self-assurance and uncertainty
Now all I really know
What I have truly come to understand
Is anyone can be
That anyone can fall victim to love's pain
And anyone can be hurt by love
No one is immune to the pain caused by love
Anyone can see their heart strings come undone
Anyone's emotions can unravel and fall apart
You take the strong ones or weak ones just the same
The pain affects everyone regardless of their strength or weakness
When it comes down to love, sometimes it comes down to pain
Love can often lead to heartache and suffering
And I stumble in and out
I struggle with my emotions and thoughts
This confidence and doubt
I have moments of both self-assurance and uncertainty
Now all I really know
What I have truly come to understand
Is anyone can be
That anyone can fall victim to love's pain
And anyone can be hurt by love
No one is immune to the pain caused by love
Anyone can see their heart strings come undone
Anyone's emotions can unravel and fall apart
You take the strong ones or weak ones just the same
The pain affects everyone regardless of their strength or weakness
When it comes down to love, sometimes it comes down to pain
Love can often lead to heartache and suffering
Contributed by Lucas F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chuck Dundas
I cannot understand why this song is so hidden....This was one of the greatest songs of the late 80's. The BoDeans are so under-appreciated except in Wisconsin (Milwaukee Summerfest0 and Chicago airplay. GO deeper people...there are SO many incredible songs beyond "Closer To Free"
Joseph Bononno
Always one of my favorites. Well written as is all their songs !!!
mon ami assisi
I fell in love with them in Florida in 1994 and now wish they would come to the uk, where ive been since 2003. This love affair will never die! <3
Jim Portis
Great song,played it a million times when my dad died in 97
Matthew Moss
What a banger!
Jack StrawDog
So true, Traveler. I played this until it fell apart, a great song.
Tom Behnke
The prettiest girl I've ever met...ever known.....her boyfriend just broke up with her.
It's been so hard to see such a pretty girl who has likely only been rejected a few times ever hurt.
I hurt for her...more so than I would for someone who hast felt the repeated pain of rejection.
It's all new to her.
She's not arrogant by any means.
It's just you can tell that it's a shock to her...to be unwanted....even for a moment let along forever (from this person at least).
This song came to mind.
Anyone can be hurt by love.....it's so true.
She'll be fine.
Time heals absolutely everything, but for now, it's just so interesting to see pain in someone who I thought would be untouchable.
mon ami assisi
I fell in love with them in Florida in 1994 and now wish they would come to the uk, where ive been since 2003. This love affair will never die! <3