When I Loved You
Bruce Robison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I loved you, you didn't want me
You turned me away from the door of your heart
When I loved you
You loved me too but you didn't know it darling
'Till another won my heart
Well, I got the message you sent by a friend
You heard of my wedding and you can't believe it
But my heart is safe now it don't ache no more
[Chorus]
You say that you need me more than you need life
You've asked me to cheat her and meet you tonight
But how could you want me if I were untrue
When you know if I'd cheat her that I'd cheat you too
[Chorus]
When I loved you
You loved me too but you didn't know it darling
'Till another won my heart
The song "When I Loved You" by Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis is about a past love that has suddenly returned, but it's too late because the singer has moved on. In the chorus, the singer recalls a time when they loved the person, but that love was not reciprocated. The person rejected the singer, and they moved on. However, now that the singer is happy and has found love, the person who turned them away is suddenly showing interest. It is too late for them, however, because the singer's heart is no longer available.
In the second verse, the person who rejected the singer is trying to win them back by confessing they need them more than anything else. They are even asking the singer to cheat on their current partner to be with them. However, the singer knows that if they were to cheat on their partner, they would be cheating on the past lover too. The chorus once again expresses how the person who rejected the singer did love them, but they didn't realize it until it was too late.
Overall, this song is a bittersweet reflection on love and timing. It's about two people who had a chance at love but missed it due to poor timing. One person moved on and found happiness, while the other is left feeling regretful and wanting what they can no longer have.
Line by Line Meaning
When I loved you, you didn't want me
You did not have any interest in me when I was in love with you
You turned me away from the door of your heart
You rejected me and closed the door to your heart
When I loved you
During the time I was in love with you
You loved me too but you didn't know it darling
You also had feelings for me but were not aware of them
'Till another won my heart
Until someone else became the object of my affection
Well, I got the message you sent by a friend
I received a message from you through a mutual friend
Telling me that you want to be with me once more
The message conveyed your desire to restart our relationship
You heard of my wedding and you can't believe it
You were surprised to hear about my marriage to someone else
But my heart is safe now it don't ache no more
My heart is no longer in pain since I have moved on
You say that you need me more than you need life
You claim to have an intense need for me that surpasses your need for life itself
You've asked me to cheat her and meet you tonight
You have requested that I betray my current partner and meet with you
But how could you want me if I were untrue
It is ironic for you to want me if I am capable of being unfaithful to my partner
When you know if I'd cheat her that I'd cheat you too
You are aware that if I were to cheat on my current partner, I would be capable of doing the same to you
When I loved you
During the time I was in love with you
You loved me too but you didn't know it darling
You also had feelings for me but were not aware of them
'Till another won my heart
Until someone else became the object of my affection
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOUVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind