You Give Love a Bad Name
Kelly Hanson Lyrics
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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 song "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Kelly Hanson, originally recorded by Bon Jovi, is about a toxic relationship where one person is manipulating and hurting the other. The lyrics are sung from the perspective of the victim, who is shot through the heart, a metaphor for being hurt deeply by someone they loved. The partner who causes the pain is to blame, giving love a bad name.
The singer describes their partner as someone who pretends to be sweet and innocent, but they are actually dangerous and cruel. The partner promises the victim heaven but delivers hell with their chains of love, trapping the victim in a passion that becomes a prison. The victim is like a loaded gun, ready to explode with emotions, but they have nowhere to run because of the hold their partner has over them.
The final lines of the song summarize the central theme: "You give love a bad name." The singer is angry and hurt, blaming their partner for the damage that has been done. The chorus repeats this line several times, emphasizing the idea that the partner is tarnishing the concept of love, making it seem like a bad thing.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about toxic love and the dangers of falling for someone who may not have your best interests at heart. Through the lyrics, the singer warns others to be careful in relationships and to avoid partners who may give love a bad name.
Line by Line Meaning
Shot through the heart, and you're to blame, darling
You hurt me and caused me pain, but you refuse to take responsibility for your actions.
You give love a bad name
Your behavior towards love makes others perceive love negatively.
An angel's smile is what you sell
You appear to be innocent and pure, but it's just a facade to lure others in.
You promise me heaven then put me through hell
You make grand promises but end up causing me more pain and suffering.
Chains of love, got a hold on me
I feel trapped in this toxic relationship, unable to break free.
When passion's a prison you can't break free
Your intense emotions and attachment to me have become suffocating and uncontrollable for both of us.
You're a loaded gun, yeah
You're dangerous and unpredictable, capable of causing harm when you snap.
There's nowhere to run
I'm trapped and unable to escape from the consequences of being with you.
No-one can save me, the damage is done
It's too late for someone to save me from the harm you've already caused me.
I play my part and you play your game
We each have our roles in this toxic relationship, but only you benefit from it.
You paint your smile on your lips
You pretend to be happy and content, but deep down, you're miserable.
Blood red nails on your fingertips
Your obsession with me has turned you into someone dangerous, even to yourself.
A school boys dream, you act so shy
You act innocent and naive, but you have ulterior motives that are not apparent to everyone.
Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye
You were never truly invested in our relationship from the very beginning.
You give love
You're capable of loving someone but don't know how to express it in a healthy way.
You give love a bad name
Your approach to love causes more harm than good, making others wary of love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Richard Sambora, Desmond Child, Jon Bon Jovi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind