No Limit
Jackson Browne / Love Minus Zero Lyrics
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Without ideals or violence,
She doesn't have to say she's faithful,
Yet she's true, like ice, like fire.
People carry roses,
Make promises by the hours,
My love she laughs like the flowers,
Valentines can't buy her.
In the dime stores and bus stations,
People talk of situations,
Read books, repeat quotations,
Draw conclusions on the wall.
Some speak of the future,
My love she speaks softly,
She knows there's no success like failure
And that failure's no success at all.
The cloak and dagger dangles,
Madams light the candles.
In ceremonies of the horsemen,
Even the pawn must hold a grudge.
Statues made of match sticks,
Crumble into one another,
My love winks, she does not bother,
She knows too much to argue or to judge.
The bridge at midnight trembles,
The country doctor rambles,
Bankers' nieces seek perfection,
Expecting all the gifts that wise men bring.
The wind howls like a hammer,
The night blows cold and rainy,
My love she's like some raven
At my window with a broken wing.
The opening verse of Jackson Browne's Love Minus Zero's song, "My love she speaks like silence, Without ideals or violence," portrays love as something that doesn't need to be spoken or expressed in any grandiose manner. The singer's love is "true, like ice, like fire" - something that is felt within but doesn't need an external demonstration of emotion. In contrast, people around them make promises, carry roses, and talk of situations, indicating a certain lack of authenticity in their affections. The second verse emphasizes the singer's love's quiet wisdom and understanding, as she knows that failure is a part of life, and that there's no need to strive for perfection.
The third verse of "No Limit" takes a more ominous turn, with references to the "cloak and dagger" and "ceremonies of the horsemen." The singer's love, however, remains unaffected by such things, winking and not bothering to argue or judge. The final verse, with its bleak imagery of a bridge trembling at midnight, a howling wind, and a broken-winged raven, seems to suggest that the world is full of chaos and darkness, but the singer's love is a constant light amidst the turbulence.
Line by Line Meaning
My love she speaks like silence,
My love doesn't use words unnecessarily, and yet she speaks volumes with her silence.
Without ideals or violence,
She doesn't impose her views or opinions on anyone, nor does she resort to any kind of violence.
She doesn't have to say she's faithful,
My love doesn't need to express her loyalty because it's already evident through her actions.
Yet she's true, like ice, like fire.
Although her persona is calm and composed, she has the power to ignite passion and be fierce when needed.
People carry roses,
Others show their love with grand gestures and romantic symbols.
Make promises by the hours,
People often make insincere promises without truly evaluating their ability to fulfill them in the long run.
My love she laughs like the flowers,
My love's laughter is as pure and genuine as the beauty of flowers.
Valentines can't buy her.
She doesn't need the materialistic gifts or the clichéd expressions of love to feel valued.
In the dime stores and bus stations,
Places where people from different backgrounds and classes converge.
People talk of situations,
They discuss their struggles and challenges.
Read books, repeat quotations,
They rely on famous quotes and books to seek wisdom and solace.
Draw conclusions on the wall.
They form opinions and make judgments based on their experiences, and put them on display.
Some speak of the future,
Some are hopeful about a better tomorrow.
My love she speaks softly,
My love calmly shares her thoughts and opinions.
She knows there's no success like failure
She understands that one learns more from their failures than their successes.
And that failure's no success at all.
She recognizes the importance of acknowledging one's shortcomings and learning from them.
The cloak and dagger dangles,
There is an air of secrecy and deceit.
Madams light the candles.
Women of questionable profession light candles to create an atmosphere of romance.
In ceremonies of the horsemen,
In the rituals celebrated by masculine figures.
Even the pawn must hold a grudge.
Even the weakest individuals would be impacted by the actions of the powerful.
Statues made of matchsticks,
Fragile structures that could fall apart at any moment.
Crumble into one another,
They collapse upon each other.
My love winks, she does not bother,
My love acknowledges the chaos around her but chooses not to involve herself.
She knows too much to argue or to judge.
She is wise enough to know that arguments and judgments only hinder progress.
The bridge at midnight trembles,
Times of uncertainty and instability.
The country doctor rambles,
Those who try to heal others as best they can despite the odds.
Bankers' nieces seek perfection,
The wealthy and privileged often strive for the unattainable.
Expecting all the gifts that wise men bring.
They believe that they are deserving of anything they desire.
The wind howls like a hammer,
Nature is loud and fierce, reflecting the inner turmoil of people.
The night blows cold and rainy,
Dark and depressing times.
My love she's like some raven
My love is a symbol of mystery and intelligence.
At my window with a broken wing.
She's at my door with her imperfections, unashamed and ready to take on the world.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@martienevers
My love she speaks like silence,
Without ideals or violence,
She doesn't have to say she's faithful,
Yet she's true, like ice, like fire.
People carry roses,
Make promises by the hours,
My love she laughs like the flowers,
Valentines can't buy her.
In the dime stores and bus stations,
People talk of situations,
Read books, repeat quotations,
Draw conclusions on the wall.
Some speak of the future,
My love she speaks softly,
She knows there's no success like failure
And that failure's no success at all.
The cloak and dagger dangles,
Madams light the candles.
In ceremonies of the horsemen,
Even the pawn must hold a grudge.
Statues made of match sticks,
Crumble into one another,
My love winks, she does not bother,
She knows too much to argue or to judge.
The bridge at midnight trembles,
The country doctor rambles,
Bankers' nieces seek perfection,
Expecting all the gifts that wise men bring.
The wind howls like a hammer,
The night blows cold and rainy,
My love she's like some raven
At my window with a broken wing.
@addie2739
I love this song. It's absolutely beautiful, the lyrics, the instruments, the man. ❤
@andybull6126
Written by the master, sung by his apprentice. Have seen both live many times and my life will forever be enriched because of it
@nedgilkeson4391
Yes. Good cover. Eric Coapton does a good one too. Absolute magical song to me.
@ralphdavis9670
@@nedgilkeson4391 The version in London at a hotel, with Donovan squirming in his chair was also good.
@stargazer6753
Love your description. WoW. So well said.
@MrBriller
One of my favorite Dylan songs covered by one of my favorite artists. Tremendous.
@judyfarrer5326
Same
@stargazer6753
@@judyfarrer5326 Me too, for what’s it worth.
@ralphdavis9670
Written by a master, sung by a master.
@stargazer6753
You are so right. Thanks for saying so.