Rotten Love
Levy Lyrics


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I think about you
And what you've done
I think about you
And what you've become
I said tonight is the party
Would you like to come
But she said no I can't James
And he smelled of

He smelled of rotten love
He smelled of rotten love
He smelled of rotten love

I think about Regina
And what she's done for me
I think about Regina
She's so sweet
I said tonight is the party
Would you like to come
But she said no I can't James
And he smelled of

He smelled of rotten love
He smelled of rotten love
He smelled of rotten love

I think about me
And what I've done
I think about me
And what I've become
I said tonight is the party
Would you like to come
But she said no I can't James
And he smelled of

She smelled of rotten love
He smelled of rotten love




He smelled of rotten love
She smelled of rotten love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Levy's song "Rotten Love" are about a person reflecting on the memories of someone they used to know. The song starts with the singer thinking about this person, their actions and what they have become. The singer then extends an invitation to this person to join them in a party, but the person declines the offer. The reason for the decline is not given, but it is hinted that James is involved in some way.


The focus then shifts to Regina, another person whom the singer has fond memories of. Again, the singer invites Regina to the party, but she, too, declines the invite. The song ends with the singer taking some time to introspect, thinking about their own actions and what they have become. Throughout the song, there's the refrain "He smelled of rotten love" or "She smelled of rotten love," indicating that there was something not quite right about the person in question.


The lyrics of "Rotten Love" are open to interpretation. It could be about unrequited love or an abusive relationship. The line "He smelled of rotten love" suggests that the person in question was toxic and that the singer is better off without them. The song is a reflection of the singer's state of mind and how they feel about their past. The chorus is catchy and sticks to the listener's memory, emphasizing the central theme of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

I think about you
The singer reflects on thoughts about someone else


And what you've done
The singer reflects on the actions and choices of the person they are thinking about


I think about you
The singer repeats their thoughts about the other person


And what you've become
The artist reflects on how the other person has changed over time


I said tonight is the party
The artist mentions an event or occasion happening soon


Would you like to come
The singer invites the other person to the event or occasion


But she said no I can't James
The other person declines the invitation and gives a reason why


And he smelled of rotten love
The artist uses a metaphor to describe a negative quality or feeling associated with the person


He smelled of rotten love
The artist repeats the metaphor to emphasize the negative quality or feeling


He smelled of rotten love
The artist repeats the metaphor once again


I think about Regina
The singer shifts their thoughts to a different person


And what she's done for me
The artist reflects on the positive actions or contributions of Regina


I think about Regina
The singer repeats their thoughts about Regina


She's so sweet
The singer describes Regina using a positive trait


I said tonight is the party
The singer mentions the same event or occasion as before


Would you like to come
The artist repeats their invitation to Regina


But she said no I can't James
Regina also declines the invitation and gives the same reason as the other person


And he smelled of rotten love
The singer repeats the metaphor of a negative quality, this time using it to describe the other person again


He smelled of rotten love
The singer emphasizes the negative quality of the other person once again


He smelled of rotten love
The artist repeats the metaphor again


I think about me
The artist shifts their thoughts to themselves


And what I've done
The artist reflects on their own actions and choices


I think about me
The singer repeats their thoughts about themselves


And what I've become
The artist reflects on how they have changed over time


I said tonight is the party
The singer mentions the same event or occasion again


Would you like to come
The singer repeats the same invitation once again


But she said no I can't James
The same person (she) once again declines the invitation and gives the same reason as before


And he smelled of rotten love
Using the same metaphor, the artist once again describes the negative quality of the other person


He smelled of rotten love
The artist repeats the metaphor to emphasize the negative quality once again


He smelled of rotten love
The singer repeats the metaphor for the final time


She smelled of rotten love
Using the same metaphor but changing the subject, the singer describes the negative quality of the person who declined the invitation




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: James Israel Levy

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Genny-Zee

Sounds a little like Interpol. Love it!

@bubagan00sh

This song has so many soulful feels. Sitting outside watching the leaves fall, listening to this and thinking about life.

@shaxan

On spin since 2005-ish I think. Such a gem!

@sharonmccandless9144

I have Pandora to thank for this song :)

@cassgasol

Me tooo

@kelvinventelingmary6079

been listen to this song for years... Fans from Malaysia

@davidjones6262

So cool

@BlGDOG18

awesome music like this belongs on the radio!!

@lunakronic

ahhh i love the history! thanks for the history :) <3

@joseandresgonzalezneira8734

regina and levy ;(

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