One of the best known American power pop bands, the group's biggest hits over the years include "I Want You to Want Me", "Surrender", "Dream Police", "Don't Be Cruel" (a cover of Elvis Presley's hit), and "The Flame". Their most recent release, The Latest, has gained critical acclaim. They also wrote and performed the theme song for "The Colbert Report" as well as "That 70s Show", both tunes being fan favorites.
Nielsen and Petersson originally formed the group as Fuse in 1967, with Carlos joining the group several years later; however, when Zander joined as vocalist in 1972, the group was renamed Cheap Trick. Zander is considered one of the best hard rock vocalists of his era. For their part, Tom Petersson has been known for playing custom made 8, 12, and even a 18 string custom bass made by Modulus for Tom in 1981 and Rick Nielsen also has a penchant for unusual instruments. He owns and plays a five-necked solidbody electric guitar (it can be seen in the video for the song "She's Tight" among others).
Studio Albums
(1977) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(1977) In Color
(1978) Heaven Tonight
(1979) Dream Police
(1980) All Shook Up
(1980) Found All The Parts
(1982) One on One
(1983) Next Position Please
(1985) Standing on the Edge
(1986) The Doctor
(1988) Lap of Luxury
(1990) Busted
(1994) Woke Up With A Monster
(1997) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(2003) Special One
(2006) Rockford
(2009) The Latest
(2016) Bang, Zoom, Crazy...Hello
(2017) We're All Alright!
(2021) In Another World
[Live Albums]
(1978) At Budokan
(1978) Budokan II
(1998) At Budokan: the Complete Concert
(1999) Music for Hangovers
(2001) Silver
Four Letter Word
Cheap Trick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a twisted heart
I need a lesson in love
I'm right on time
For tonight's the night
I need your love
Oh yeah
Had no alibi, no reason why
To let you down, oh
Stabbed in the back
Though it hurt i let you go
Will you take me back, oh
What was right went wrong, oh
It's alright to put the blame on me
For after all blame it on my last affair
It's alright, it takes two to make it love
'cause love can be just a four letter word
A four letter word
I got a one track mind
I got a twisted heart
I need a lesson in love
I'm right on time
For tonight's the night
I need your love
Day turns to night
I was wrong and you were right
I feel like Mr. Hyde not Dr. J
Sometimes I'm not myself
I must be somebody else
To jeopardize your love
What went wrong was right, oh
It's alright to put the blame on me
For after all blame it on my last affair
It's alright, it takes two to make it love
'cause love can be just a four letter word
I got a one track mind
I got a twisted heart
I need a lesson in love
(thank you!)
The song "Four Letter Word" by Cheap Trick is about a man who is realizing his mistakes in a past relationship and is seeking forgiveness from his lover. The opening lines suggest that he is singularly focused on his desire for love, but acknowledges that he has a "twisted heart" and needs to learn how to love properly. The chorus indicates that he wants to make amends for his past misdeeds and needs his lover's love to rectify his mistakes.
The second stanza reveals that he has committed infidelity ("Caught in the act / Had no alibi, no reason why / To let you down, oh / Stabbed in the back") and is asking his lover for forgiveness ("Will you take me back, oh"). He admits that he was to blame for the end of their relationship ("It's alright to put the blame on me / For after all blame it on my last affair") and acknowledges that both parties are responsible for making love work ("it takes two to make it love").
In the final stanza, he acknowledges that his past actions were foolish and potentially self-destructive. He recognizes that he was wrong and his lover was right ("Day turns to night / I was wrong and you were right") and that sometimes he has acted out of character ("Sometimes I'm not myself / I must be somebody else"). Overall, the lyrics demonstrate regret, remorse, and a desire to make things right.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a one track mind
My thoughts are consumed with one desire
I got a twisted heart
My emotions are conflicted and complicated
I need a lesson in love
I require instruction on how to love freely
I'm right on time
I'm perfectly poised for romantic connection
For tonight's the night
This evening is the ideal time for intimacy
I need your love
I crave your affection and attention
Caught in the act
I was discovered and exposed
Had no alibi, no reason why
I had no defense or justification for my actions
To let you down, oh
I disappointed and hurt you
Stabbed in the back
I was betrayed by someone I trusted
Though it hurt I let you go
Even though it caused me pain, I released you from our relationship
Will you take me back, oh
I wonder if you will forgive me and continue our romance
What was right went wrong, oh
We experienced a sudden shift from positive to negative circumstances
It's alright to put the blame on me
I am willing to accept responsibility for the situation
For after all blame it on my last affair
You can attribute my behavior to my previous romantic entanglements
It's alright, it takes two to make it love
We both contributed to our relationship dynamic
'cause love can be just a four letter word
Despite its importance and power, love can be reduced to only four letters
Day turns to night
Time is passing and the mood is changing
I was wrong and you were right
I made a mistake and you were correct
I feel like Mr. Hyde not Dr. J
My negative side has taken over, rather than my usual positive self
Sometimes I'm not myself
I don't always act in accordance with my true nature
I must be somebody else
I believe I am becoming someone unfamiliar to me
To jeopardize your love
My actions may endanger our romantic connection
What went wrong was right, oh
Our issues are more complicated than they seem
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICK NIELSEN, ROBIN ZANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind