This Ain't A Love Song
Bon Jovi Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I should have seen it coming when the roses died
Should have seen the end of summer in your eyes
I should have listened when you said goodnight
You really meant goodbye
And baby, ain't it funny, how you never ever learn to fall?
You're really on your knees when you think you're standing tall
But only fools are 'know-it-alls' and I played that fool for you
I cried and I cried, there were nights that I died for you, baby
I tried and I tried to deny that your love drove me crazy, baby

If the love that I got for you's gone, if the river I cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't a love song

Baby, I thought you and me would stand the test of time
Like we got away with the perfect crime
But we were just a legend in my mind. I guess that I was blind
Remember those nights dancing at The Masquerade
The clowns wore smiles that wouldn't fade
You and I were the renegades, some things never change

It made me so mad 'cause I wanted it bad for us baby
Now it's so sad that whatever we had ain't worth saving, oh

If the love that I got for you's gone, if the river I cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't a love song
If the pain that I'm feeling so strong is the reason that I'm holding on
Then I'm wrong, yeah, I'm wrong, this ain't a love song
I cried and I cried, there were nights that I died for you, baby
I tried and I tried to deny that your love drove me crazy, baby

If the love that I got for you's gone, if the river I cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yeah, I'm wrong, this ain't a love song




If the pain that I'm feeling so strong is the reason that I'm holding on
Then I'm wrong, yeah, I'm wrong, this ain't a love song

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "This Ain't A Love Song" by Bon Jovi describe the end of a romantic relationship that wasn't as strong as it initially seemed. The singer reflects on the signs that they should have seen but ignored such as the death of the roses, the end of summer, and the goodbye that was really meant as the end of their relationship. The singer is questioning their own choices and admits that they played the fool for the person they were with. The chorus suggests that the love is gone, and the feelings of pain and loss are too strong to hold onto, and that this is not a love song.


The bridge of the song reflects on the memories the singer has with their ex-partner. The Masquerade becomes a symbol of a time when they were free and happy, but from which they can never return. The feeling that they were legends, together, in a perfect romance, was all in their head, and they were blind not to see the truth about their relationship.


Overall, the song expresses the pain and loss that follows the end of a relationship. The singer reflects on what went wrong, and how they ignored the signs that their relationship was not as perfect as they had thought. The song suggests that sometimes, letting go is the only way forward, even if it means admitting that it was not a love song after all.


Line by Line Meaning

I should have seen it coming when the roses died
I should have known that our relationship was dying when you stopped giving me romantic gifts.


Should have seen the end of summer in your eyes
I should have seen the signs that our love was cooling off in your eyes.


I should have listened when you said goodnight
I should have paid attention when you said goodnight because it was really your way of saying goodbye.


You really meant goodbye
When you said goodbye, you truly meant it and intended to end our relationship.


And baby, ain't it funny, how you never ever learn to fall?
Isn't it ironic that we never seem to learn from our mistakes and always fall for the wrong people.


You're really on your knees when you think you're standing tall
Even when we think we're in control and standing tall, we can still be vulnerable and powerless to love.


But only fools are 'know-it-alls' and I played that fool for you
I was foolish to think I knew everything about love and to ignore the signs that our relationship was ending.


If the love that I got for you's gone, if the river I cried ain't that long Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't a love song
If our love has truly ended and if my suffering hasn't been prolonged, then it's time to admit that this isn't a love song.


Baby, I thought you and me would stand the test of time Like we got away with the perfect crime But we were just a legend in my mind. I guess that I was blind
I had believed that our love would last forever and that it was perfect, but it was just a fantasy in my mind and I was blind to the reality of our relationship.


Remember those nights dancing at The Masquerade The clowns wore smiles that wouldn't fade You and I were the renegades, some things never change
I remember the happy times we shared together, but even then, we were escaping reality and hiding behind masks. Despite our rebellion, some things never change.


It made me so mad 'cause I wanted it bad for us baby Now it's so sad that whatever we had ain't worth saving, oh
I was upset because I really wanted our love to work out, but now I see that it's too late and that our relationship is beyond saving.


If the pain that I'm feeling so strong is the reason that I'm holding on Then I'm wrong, yeah, I'm wrong, this ain't a love song
If I'm only holding on to our love because of the pain I feel, then it's time to accept that this isn't a love song.


I cried and I cried, there were nights that I died for you, baby I tried and I tried to deny that your love drove me crazy, baby
I cried myself to sleep many nights and felt like dying because of the pain you caused me. Even when I denied it, your love made me feel insane.




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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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@leonardonatanael1236

lyrics:
Should have seen it coming when roses died
Should have seen the end of summer in your eyes
Should have listened when you said goodnight
You really meant goodbye
Baby, ain't it funny, how you never ever learn to fall?
You're really on your knees when you think you're standing tall
But only fools are know-it-alls and I played that fool for you

I cried and I cried
There were nights that I died for you, baby
I tried and I tried to deny that your love drove me crazy, baby

If the love that I've got for you is gone
If the river I cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't a love song

Baby, I thought you and me would stand the test of time
Like we got away with the perfect crime
But we were just a legend in my mind
I guess that I was blind
Remember those nights dancing at the masquerade
The clowns wore smiles that wouldn't fade
You and I were the renegades, some things never change

It made me so mad 'cause I wanted it bad for us, baby
And now it's so sad that whatever we had, ain't worth saving, ohh

If the love that I got for you is gone
If the river I've cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't a love song

If the pain that I'm feeling so strong
Is the reason I'm holding on
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't a love song, uhh

I cried and I cried
There were nights that I died for you, baby
I tried and I tried to deny that your love drove me crazy, baby

If the love that I got for you is gone
If the river I cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't love song

If the pain that I'm feeling so strong
Is the reason I'm holding on
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't a love song
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't a love song
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't a love song



@kakiss5940

Bon Jovi Lyrics
"This Ain't A Love Song"

I should have seen it coming when roses died
Should have seen the end of summer in your eyes
I should have listened when you said good night
You really meant good bye
Baby, ain't it funny, how you never ever learn to fall
You're really on your knees, when you think you're standing tall
But only fools are "know-it-alls" and I played that fool for you

I cried and I cried
There were nights that died for you baby
I tried and I tried to deny that your love drove me crazy, baby

If the love that I got for you is gone
If the river I cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't a love song

Baby, I thought you and me would stand the test of time
Like we got away with the perfect crime
But we were just a legend in my mind
I guess that I was blind
Remember those nights dancing at the masquerade
The clowns wore smiles that wouldn't fade
You and I were the renegades, some things never change

It made me so mad 'cause I wanted it bad for us baby
Now it's so sad that whatever we had, ain't worth saving
If the love that I got for you is gone
If the river I've cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yes I'm wrong, this ain't a love song

If the pain that I'm feeling so strong
Is the reason that I'm holding on
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong - this ain't a love song

I cried and I cried
There were nights that I died for you baby
I tried and I tried to deny that your love drove me crazy

If the love that I got for you is gone
If the river I cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong - this ain't no love song

If the pain that I'm feeling so strong
Is the reason that I'm holding on
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong - this ain't a love song

If the pain that I'm feeling so strong
Is the reason that I'm holding on
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong - this ain't a love song
Yes, I'm wrong, yeah, I'm wrong - this ain't a love song
Yes, I'm wrong, yeah, I'm wrong - this ain't a love song
Yes, I'm wrong, yeah, I'm wrong - this ain't a love song



@juancamacho5746

Should've seen it coming when the roses died
Should've seen the end of summer in your eyes
Should've listened, when you said goodnight
You really meant goodbye
Baby ain't it funny how we never ever learnt to fall?
You're really on your knees
You think you're standing tall
But only fools, are know-it-alls
And I played that fool for you

I cried and I cried
There were nights that I died for you baby
I tried and I tried to deny
Love drove me crazy, baby
If the love that I've got for you's gone
If the river I cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong
This ain't a love song
🎵🎶🎵🎶
Baby I thought you and me would stand the test of time
Like we got away with the perfect crime
But we were just a legend in my mind
I guess that I was blind
Remember those nights dancing at the masquerade
Clowns wore smiles, that wouldn't fade
You and I were the renegades, some things, never change

It made me so mad 'cause I wanted it bad for us baby
And now it's so sad that whatever we had ain't worth saving
Oh-ooh, oh-oooh

If the love that I got for you's gone
And if the river I've cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong
This ain't a love song

If the pain that I'm feeling's so strong
Is the reason, I'm holding on
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong
This ain't a love song



@ayulestari-jl5vh

I should have seen it coming when the roses died
I should have seen the end
Of Summer in your eyes
I should have listened when you said good night
You really meant good-bye

Baby, ain't it funny
How we never ever learn to fall
You're really on your knees
You think you're standing tall
But only fools are know-it-alls
Yeah, I played that fool for you

2-I cried and I cried
There were nights that I died for you, baby
I tried and I tried
To deny that your love drove me crazy

1-If the love that I got for you's gone
If the river I cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yes, I'm wrong
This ain't a love song

I thought you and me would stand the test of time
Like we got away with the perfect crime
But we were just a legend in my mind
I guess that I was blind

Remember those nights dancing at the masquerade
Clowns wore smiles that wouldn't fade
Baby, you and I we were renegades
Well, some things never change

It made me so mad
'Cause I wanted it bad for us, baby
Now, it's so sad that whatever we had
Ain't worth saving
(rpt 1, 2, 1)

If the pain that I'm feeling so strong
Is the reason I'm holding on
Then I'm wrong, well I'm wrong
This ain't a love song...



@ZaruCardona

I should have seen it coming when roses died
Should have seen the end of summer in your eyes
I should have listened when you said good night
You really meant good bye
Baby, ain't it funny, how you never ever learn to fall
You're really on your knees, when you think you're standing tall
But only fools are know-it-alls and I played that fool for you
I cried and I cried
There were nights that died for you baby
I tried and I tried to deny that your love drove me crazy, baby
If the love that I got for you is gone
If the river I cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't a love song
Baby, I thought you and me would stand the test of time
Like we got away with the perfect crime but
We were just a legend in my mind
I guess that I was blind
Remember those nights dancing at the masquerade
The clowns wore smiles that wouldn't fade
You and I were the renegades, some things never change
It made me so mad 'cause I wanted it bad for us baby
Now it's so sad that whatever we had, ain't worth saving
If the love that I got for you is gone
If the river I've cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yes I'm wrong, this ain't a love song
If the pain that I'm feeling so strong
Is the reason that I'm holding on
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong - this ain't a love song
I cried and I cried
There were nights that I died for you baby
I tried and I tried to deny that your love drove me crazy
If the love that I got for you is gone
If the river I cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong - this ain't no love song
If the pain that I'm feeling so strong
Is the reason that I'm holding on
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong - this ain't a love song
If the pain that I'm feeling so strong
Is the reason that I'm holding on
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong - this ain't a love song
Yes, I'm wrong, yeah, I'm wrong - this ain't a love song
Yes, I'm wrong, yeah, I'm wrong - this ain't a love song
Yes, I'm wrong, yeah, I'm wrong - this ain't a love song



@jorgeloma1860

I should have seen it coming when the roses died 
I should have seen the end Of Summer in your eyes 
I should have listened when you said good night 
You really meant good-bye 

Baby, ain't it funny 
How we never ever learn to fall 
You're really on your knees 
You think you're standing tall 
But only fools are know-it-alls 
Yeah, I played that fool for you 

I cried and I cried 
There were nights that I died for you, baby 
I tried and I tried 
To deny that your love drove me crazy, baby 

 

If the love that I got for you's gone 
If the river I cried ain't that long 
Then I'm wrong, yes, I'm wrong 
This ain't a love song 

I thought you and me would stand the test of time 
Like we got away with the perfect crime 
But we were just a legend in my mind 
I guess that I was blind 

Remember those nights dancing at the masquerade 
Clowns wore smiles that wouldn't fade 
Baby, you and I we were renegades 
Well, some things never change 

It made me so mad 
'Cause I wanted it bad for us, baby 
Now, it's so sad that whatever we had 
Ain't worth saving, ohhh 

If the love that I got for you's gone 
If the river I cried ain't that long 
Then I'm wrong, yes, I'm wrong 
This ain't a love song 

If the pain that I'm feeling so strong 
Is the reason I'm holding on 
Then I'm wrong, well I'm wrong 
This ain't a love song 

I cried and I cried 
There were nights that I died for you, baby 
I tried and I tried 
To deny that your love drove me crazy, baby 

If the love that I got for you's gone 
If the river I cried ain't that long 
Then I'm wrong, yes, I'm wrong 
This ain't a love song 

If the pain that I'm feeling so strong 
Is the reason I'm holding on 
Then I'm wrong, well I'm wrong 
This ain't a love song



All comments from YouTube:

@InfectiousGroovePodcast

This has to be the most underrated Bon Jovi single ever. I love this song (and album for that matter) so much.

@jessekindred80

at 45 yrs old now this song means so much more than it did all those years ago ❤😢

@CarlosjoseVelasquezaleman

J😢

@user-lz9jy9vu7k

Who in this Planet is watching in 2024?

@viviavellino4545

Present! ❤

@RHicks-ne3pc

I'm here!!

@mcdane4978

present

@patlafever2049

Me, Me!

@excelkimescarez3327

meeeee!

309 More Replies...

@victorzechariahachi4334

My God! The immeasurable passion that reverberates and lingers with every note brought to life by Bon Jovi touches every fibre of my existence. Few artists evoke such intense love in me; the band is truly cherished, and this song is gold.

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