"I Like It Rough" is a song written by Lady Gaga and Martin Kierszenbaum, f… Read Full Bio ↴"I Like It Rough" is a song written by Lady Gaga and Martin Kierszenbaum, for The Fame sometime between 2007-2008. The song was first released as a bonus track for the Canadian/Australian editions, and later became a standard track on all other releases of the album. The song was used in the music video for "Telephone", it can be heard playing through a pair of Heartbeats headphones. The song was written about addiction and in particular "masochist love" — being in love with people that are not good for you. The lyrics tell a story of one of Gaga's ex-boyfriends in a reflection of "Why does she likes it rough?". A concept demo of the song was titled "Chewing On Pearls", and the second demo was titled "I Like It Ruff".

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06Dance in the Dark4:50

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09Teeth3:41

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I Like It Rough
Lady Gaga Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Your love is nothing I can't fight
Can't sleep with the man who dims my shine

I'm in the bedroom
With tissues and when
I know you're outside banging that I won't let you in
'Cause it's a hard life, with love in the world
And I'm a hard girl
Loving me is like chewing on pearls

You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough

Won't go without my fix tonight
It's a little too rough
Prom girl wipes her tears with silver lines
And she can't get enough

I'm in the bedroom
With tissues and when
I know you're outside banging that I won't let you in
'Cause it's a hard life, with love in the world
And I'm a hard girl
Loving me is like straightening curls

You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough

I'm shiny and I know it
Don't know why you wanna blow it
Need a man who likes it rough, likes it rough, likes it rough
I'm shiny and I know it
Don't know why you wanna blow it
Need a man who likes it rough, likes it rough, likes it rough

Is it 'cause you don't mean it?
Or because I don't feel it?
Unless it's rough
Is it 'cause you don't mean it?
Or because I don't feel it?
Unless it's rough
(Lady Gaga)

You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough

You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough
You've got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough, I
I like it rough

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lady Gaga's "I Like It Rough" are a reflection of the singer's preference for an intense, passionate kind of love. When she sings "Your love is nothing I can't fight," she's expressing her desire for a tough, challenging relationship that keeps her on her toes. The line "Can't sleep with the man who dims my shine" speaks to her need to be with someone who supports her and her career aspirations, rather than someone who might hold her back.

The second verse of the song is about not allowing someone who is not good for her to enter back into her life. She sets boundaries for herself and won't allow someone who is bad for her to disrupt her personal space. "Loving me is like chewing on pearls" is Lady Gaga's way of saying that she's a rare and valuable person and that it takes a unique individual to love her and handle everything that comes with it.

The chorus of the song is a repetition of the title, "I Like It Rough," and it's a celebration of Lady Gaga's preference for intensity and roughness in her romantic relationships. The bridge of the song addresses the fear that perhaps she likes it rough because she doesn't feel loved unless it's intense. Overall, the song is a reflection of Lady Gaga's personal preferences for a passionate, challenging love that keeps her on her toes.

Line by Line Meaning

Your love is nothing I can't fight
I am capable of standing up for myself and not allowing your love to overpower me

Can't sleep with the man who dims my shine
I cannot tolerate being with a man who lowers my confidence or sense of self-worth

I'm in the bedroom With tissues and when I know you're outside banging that I won't let you in 'Cause it's a hard life, with love in the world And I'm a hard girl Loving me is like chewing on pearls
I am alone and crying while you're having sex with someone else. I won't let you in because love is tough and I have high standards for the men who love me. Loving me is a difficult task that requires endurance

You've got me wondering why I I like it rough, I I like it rough, I I like it rough You've got me wondering why I I like it rough, I I like it rough, I I like it rough
I am pondering why I am drawn to rough sex and why it has become a preference for me

Won't go without my fix tonight It's a little too rough Prom girl wipes her tears with silver lines And she can't get enough
I am insistent on having rough sex tonight and while it may be uncomfortable or intense, it is still enjoyable. A promiscuous girl also finds solace in rough sex despite her tears

I'm shiny and I know it Don't know why you wanna blow it Need a man who likes it rough, likes it rough, likes it rough I'm shiny and I know it Don't know why you wanna blow it Need a man who likes it rough, likes it rough, likes it rough
I am confident in myself and I do not understand why you want to tear me down. I desire a man who is able to fulfill my needs for rough sex

Is it 'cause you don't mean it? Or because I don't feel it? Unless it's rough Is it 'cause you don't mean it? Or because I don't feel it? Unless it's rough (Lady Gaga)
I question whether you truly desire me or if I am unable to emotionally connect with you unless there is rough sex involved

You've got me wondering why I I like it rough, I I like it rough, I I like it rough You've got me wondering why I I like it rough, I I like it rough, I I like it rough
I am still thinking about why I prefer rough sex and why it continues to draw me in

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Martin Kierszenbaum, Stefani J. Germanotta

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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