Words
Bobby Caldwell Lyrics


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Love, it was meant to be played by the rules
Guess that I'm just like all the other fools
'Cause if you said the words
I would make believe they're true

Darlin' say the words I want to hear
Say the words and I won't mind
Even though they may be only words

Lies, girl I can't hear enough of those lies
So if love's only meant for the wise
One more lie for a fool
Shouldn't matter much to you, oh no

Though it may seem incomplete
I'll pretend not to know it
Maybe love is obsolete
There's no one who will see
Keep on lying to me

Darlin' say the words I want to hear




Say the words and I won't mind
Even though they may be only words

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bobby Caldwell's song "Words" are about the struggles of a person who is desperate for love and will do anything to hear the words they desire from their loved one. The song talks about how love is a game that is played by rules, insinuating that love is more of a transaction than an emotion. The persona sings how he is a foolish lover, just like everyone else, as he is willing to believe anything as long as his partner says those sweet, sweet words. The lyrics convey his desperation for love, which he believes can only be obtained through the words of his lover.


The chorus further emphasizes the persona's desperation as he begs his lover to say the words he wants to hear, and he won't mind if they're only shallow words. He desires to hear the words that will make him believe that he is loved, even though they may be empty and insincere. The persona finds truth in his partner's lies, believing that any form of love is better than none at all. He, therefore, urges his lover to keep on lying to him, for that will give him the illusion of love that he so desperately craves.


Line by Line Meaning

Love, it was meant to be played by the rules
Love has an established set of rules that should be followed.


Guess that I'm just like all the other fools
The singer recognizes that he is foolish when it comes to love.


'Cause if you said the words I would make believe they're true
The singer is willing to believe anything he is told, even if it's not true, as long as it is what he wants to hear.


Darlin' say the words I want to hear Say the words and I won't mind Even though they may be only words
The artist is begging their lover to tell them what they want to hear, even if it's fake, in order to appease his desires.


Lies, girl I can't hear enough of those lies So if love's only meant for the wise One more lie for a fool Shouldn't matter much to you, oh no
The artist is obsessed with hearing lies, as it makes him feel loved, even though he knows love should be for the wise, not the foolish.


Though it may seem incomplete I'll pretend not to know it Maybe love is obsolete There's no one who will see Keep on lying to me
The singer acknowledges that something is off about their relationship, but they are willing to pretend it doesn't exist and keep accepting lies and deception as love.




Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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