Love Hurts
Gram Parsons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Any heart not tough nor strong enough
To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain
Love is like a cloud holds a lot of rain.
Love hurts uh, uh love hurts.
I'm young, I know but even so
I know a thing or two I've learned from you
Love is like a stove burns you when it's hot
Love hurts uh, uh love hurts.
Some fools rave of happiness
Blissfullness, togetherness
Some fools fool themselves I guess,
But they're not fooling me
I know it isn't true, no it isn't true
Love is just a lie, made to make you blue
Love hurts uh, uh love hurts.
The opening line of "Love Hurts" by Gram Parsons is a statement that captures the pulsing emotion of an unhappy love that has caused physical, emotional, and psychological trauma to the singer. "Love Hurts, love scars, love wounds, and mars" are the lyrically encapsulated pain of love that never heals completely. The sentiment expressed by the singer is that only a heart that is tough and strong enough can survive the pain of a love that has come to an end, and that heartbreak is an essential part of love.
The second verse of the song is a reflection of the singer's age but still claims a level of understanding about love's complexities. The singer expresses gratitude for the lessons learned from their partner, whether good or bad, and admits that love can be both pleasurable and painful. The comparison made between love and a burning stove is an acknowledgement that love is not without its complications, and even when it is warm and nurturing, it has the capacity to hurt and even scar.
The closing verse expresses the core message of the song. The singer feels that some people can deceive themselves into believing that love will always bring them happiness and joy - the conventional wisdom that love is the path to happiness is misleading. The singer asserts that love is nothing but a lie that brings with it a great deal of heartache; it is only an illusion. It is a harsh and bitter pill to swallow, but it is one that has been taken by the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Love hurts, love scars, love wounds and mars
Love is not a bed of roses. It can cause emotional wounds and scars that last for a long time. It changes your perception of people and the world around you.
Any heart not tough nor strong enough
It's not easy to deal with the emotional pain that comes with love. If you're not strong enough, it can break you apart and leave you shattered.
To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain
Loving someone requires you to take a lot of pain and heartaches. It's no easy feat, and requires resilience and persistence.
Love is like a cloud holds a lot of rain.
Love is unpredictable, like weather. It can change rapidly, hold a lot of secrets and emotions that can pour down on you like a rainstorm.
Love hurts uh, uh love hurts.
The pain of love is unbearable, but it's a part of life that one can't ignore. This pain can come and go, but leaves a lasting impact on your soul.
I'm young, I know but even so
Though I may be young, I have learned some things about love, relationships, and the pain they can bring.
I know a thing or two I've learned from you
I have learned about love from you, experienced both the good and the bad that comes with it. But in the end, the pain hurts the most.
I've really learned a lot, really learned a lot
Through the experiences of love, I have gained wisdom and understanding that comes from living life and loving another person.
Love is like a stove burns you when it's hot
Love can be intense, and lead to burns that stay with you for a long time. It's a force to be reckoned with, and needs careful consideration.
Some fools rave of happiness
Some people believe that love is all joy, contentment, and sunshine. They believe that it's a once in a lifetime feeling that is pure bliss.
Blissfullness, togetherness
These are the ideal feelings that people believe come with love. They imagine a perfect relationship without any turmoil or pain.
Some fools fool themselves I guess,
These people are living with an illusion of love, they have convinced themselves that it's always perfect and it's always a fairytale. They don't want to acknowledge the darker side of love.
But they're not fooling me
I've experienced the true pain of love and know that it's not all rainbows and unicorns. There is a dark side that needs to be acknowledged and dealt with.
I know it isn't true, no it isn't true
Love doesn't always lead to happiness, and it's not always what it seems. It can lead to heartbreak and disappointment, and leave you feeling blue.
Love is just a lie, made to make you blue
Love can feel like a lie, a mirage that promises happiness but ultimately causes emotional pain. It's been romanticized to such an extent that people often fall for the illusion and end up hurt.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Boudleaux Bryant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@4latifa
Love hurts, love scars
Love wounds and mars
Any heart not tough
Nor strong enough
To take a lot of pain
Take a lot of pain
Love is like a cloud
Holds a lot of rain
Love hurts
Mmm-mm, love hurts
I'm young, I know
But even so
I know a thing or two
I've learned from you
I've really learned a lot
Really learned a lot
Love is like a stove
Burns you when it's hot
Love hurts
Mmm-mm, love hurts
Some fools think of happiness
Blissfulness, togetherness
Some fools fool themselves, I guess
But they're not fooling me
I know it isn't true
Know it isn't true
Love is just a lie
Made to make you blue
Love hurts
Mmm-mm, love hurts
Love hurts
Mmm-mm, love hurts
Oh-oh, love hurts
@cindyj5522
I saw them together at a gig when I was in college only 6 months before he died. They were like young bandits on the run, totally with each other and beautiful. Such a terrible loss for music and for her heart.
@gerardlangver5202
The chemistry between the two makes me listen and listen again.
@user-wy5fo9mu5t
Beautiful song my nephew who did 3 tours in Afghanistan (last tour his humvee hit a landmind killing everyone except him)passed today in Albuquerque hospital from cirrhosis,first song I played today
@PersianDiamond
Man oh man. So. I saw your post and wanted to response. My oldest son was a corpsman attached to front line Marines in Afghanistan. He would often be in the humvee convoys with them.
He came back but not the same, never will be again. The alcoholism he came back with I know all too well.. the screaming in dreams.. a harrowing experience that I don't think any of us civilians could understand. Seeing injuries and Sui*ci*e and death and sorrow at such a young age while being in a sandbox of another country... it does something to them.
With all my heart.. I'm so so sorry for the loss of your nephew. It's utterly tragic.
I wish you the very best and from this stranger on the internet to you I send you love and a hug.
Signed. A former military mom
@user-wy5fo9mu5t
@@PersianDiamond my father and 2 uncles left boarding school to enlist in the military after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor ages 16 & 17 (2 navy 1 marine codetalker)& my mothers uncles (3 army 1 marine codetalker who lied about his age to join at 15)google Navajo Codetalkers & 3 uncles inn the Korean conflict (army)5 in Vietnam (3 army 1 navy 1 marine who did 2 tours in the army also/purple heart ,cousins and many friends in that conflict.native American people have the highest % of military service than any ethnic groups in the USA.highest % of suicides on the planet 510xmore likely to die of alcohol related death,4x national average in fentanyl deaths,native men have the 2nd lowest life expectancy in the Americas behind Haiti,New Mexico is 50th in education 4 th poorest state where 6 people die daily from alcohol related deaths,highest in the United States etc etc
@user-fy9ju7qv8g
I listen to this over and over. It is such a beautiful blend of voices...and words. Oh the pain of love!!!
@dougnewsam6905
Incredible harmonies by the two of them. Their voices were made to be together.
Shame that his life was so short. He would have been a bigger star.
@davidmurray2539
I can't imagine that this is anything but the crowning achievement in the history of alt/country music! Rarest of significant moments, no matter what their nature, are capable of forcing people to stop in their tracks and give total attention. This recording is such a moment.
@SeverSTL
I've never heard two voices blend better.
@petertaggart8564
Doesn't get any better than this