Strangelove
Depeche Mode (Jonathan's CD Collection) Lyrics

Strangelove
The love being talked about is strange and maybe even unpredictable

Strange highs and strange lows
The strange love being described has its highs and lows that are hard to predict

That's how my love goes
These strange highs and lows are what define how the singer loves

Will you give it to me?
The artist is asking if the other person is willing to be with them despite the unpredictable aspects of the artist's love

Will you take the pain I will give to you?
The artist is warning that loving them may be painful and asking if the other person is willing to bear that pain

Again and again
The pain that comes with loving the singer might be a recurring thing

And will you return it?
The singer is asking if the other person will also inflict pain on them in the course of their relationship

There'll be times when my crimes will seem almost unforgivable
The artist acknowledges that their actions might be hurtful and hard to forgive

I give in to sin because you have to make this life livable
The artist is trying to justify their actions by saying that they do them to make life more bearable

But when you think I've had enough from your sea of love, I'll take more than another river full
The artist is saying that even if the other person thinks they've given enough love, the artist will still want more

Yes, and I'll make it all worthwhile. I'll make your heart smile
Despite the difficulties, the singer promises to make it all worth it in the end by making the other person happy

There'll be days when I'll stray, I may appear to be constantly out of reach
The artist warns that there may be times when they feel distant or unattainable

Because I like to practice what I preach
The singer's actions may seem contradictory at times but they are just living by their own beliefs

I'm not trying to say I'll have it all my way. I'm always willing to learn when you've got something to teach
The singer acknowledges that they don't have all the answers and are willing to learn from the other person in the relationship

Pain, will you return it? I'll say it again, pain
The singer is questioning whether the pain they feel will be reciprocated or returned in the relationship

Pain, will you return it? I won't say it again
The artist is done asking whether the pain will be returned since they won't receive an answer anyway

Strangelove
The chorus repeats, emphasizing that it is indeed strange love being spoken about

Will you give it to me?
The singer ends the song with the same question as the beginning, asking if the other person is willing to love them despite the unpredictability of their love