You Give Love a Bad Name
Corey Craven Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You give love a bad name
An angel's smile is what you sell
You promise me heaven then put me through hell
Chains of love, got a hold on me
When passion's a prison you can't break free
There's nowhere to run
No-one can save me, the damage is done
Shot through the heart, and you're to blame
You give love a bad name
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name
You give love a bad name
You paint your smile on your lips
Blood red nails on your fingertips
A school boys dream, you act so shy
Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye
You're a loaded gun
There's nowhere to run
No-one can save me, the damage is done
Shot through the heart, and you're to blame
You give love a bad name
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name
You give love
Shot through the heart and you're to blame
You give love a bad name
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name
Shot through the heart and you're to blame
You give love a bad name
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name
You give love
You give love a bad name
You give love
You give love a bad name
You give love
You give love a bad name
The lyrics to Bon Jovi's hit song "You Give Love a Bad Name" tell the story of a person who has had their heart broken by someone they love. The first line of the song, "Shot through the heart, and you're to blame, darling," sets the scene for the song's central theme of betrayal. The person being sung to promised the singer heaven but instead put them through hell, chaining them in a loveless relationship.
The second verse describes the person giving love a bad name in more detail. They are portrayed as a loaded gun, dangerous and unpredictable, someone you cannot run away from. They paint on a smile that is false and something they can take off at any time. Their nails are blood red, a symbol of danger and pain. They act shy and innocent but are just playing games with someone else's heart.
The chorus of the song is a catchy and hard-hitting indictment of love gone wrong. The person giving love a bad name is called out for their behavior, their game-playing, and their abuse. The song's third verse repeats the theme: love is a prison and passion only causes pain, but it's impossible to break free.
Overall, the lyrics to "You Give Love a Bad Name" paint a picture of a person who has experienced heartbreak and betrayal at the hands of someone they deeply loved. The song's infectious chorus is a call to action for people to recognize and reject toxic relationships, and to demand better treatment from those they love.
Line by Line Meaning
Shot through the heart, and you're to blame, darling
You hurt me deeply, and it is your fault.
You give love a bad name
Your actions towards love make it seem negative.
An angel's smile is what you sell
You appear to be kind and innocent.
You promise me heaven then put me through hell
You made a commitment to me, but then betrayed me.
Chains of love, got a hold on me
Love has trapped me and I cannot break free.
When passion's a prison you can't break free
When love becomes a burden, it is impossible to escape.
You're a loaded gun, yeah
You're dangerous and unpredictable.
There's nowhere to run
There is no escape from the harm you have caused me.
No-one can save me, the damage is done
I am beyond repair, nobody can undo the pain you've caused.
I play my part and you play your game
You manipulate my emotions and I can't help but fall for it.
You paint your smile on your lips
You put on a façade to hide your true intentions.
Blood red nails on your fingertips
Your appearance is deceiving, dangerous and harmful.
A school boys dream, you act so shy
You pretend to be innocent and inexperienced, but you're actually experienced in deceit.
Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye
You led me on with a kiss, only to leave me immediately after.
You give love
Your past actions indicate that you ruin the concept of love.
You give love a bad name
Your negative influence on love leads it to be viewed in a bad way.
You give love
Your behavior in romantic relationships ruins its true meaning.
You give love a bad name
Your negative influence on love is obvious and undeniable.
You give love
Your treatment of love is negative and damaging.
You give love a bad name
Your actions make love be perceived in a negative light.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Richard Sambora, Desmond Child, Jon Bon Jovi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind