You Give Love a Bad Name
PelleK Lyrics


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Shot through the heart, and you're to blame, darling
You give love a bad name
Ohhh...

An angel's smile is what you sell
You promise me heaven
But pull me to hell
Chains of love, got a hold on me

When passion's a prison you can't break free
Ohhh.
You're a loaded gun
Ohh.

There's nowhere to run
No-one can save me, the damage is done

Shot through the heart, and you're to blame, darling
You give love a bad name
I play my part and you played your game
Darling you give love a bad name
And you give love a bad name

Ohhh.
You're a loaded gun
Ohh.
There's nowhere to run

No-one can save me, the damage is done

Shot through the heart, and you're to blame, darling
You give love a bad name
I play my part and you played your game




Darling you give love a bad name
And you give love a bad name

Overall Meaning

In "You Give Love a Bad Name," the singer appears to be addressing their lover who has hurt them in a significant way. They are feeling trapped and suffocated by the love and attention they're receiving, which they liken to "chains of love" that they cannot break free from. The person they're addressing appears to be manipulative and deceitful, promising them paradise but delivering them to hell instead. They liken this person to a loaded gun, indicating that they're a danger to themselves and the people around them. In the end, the damage has been done, and no one can save the singer from the pain of the betrayal they've experienced.


The singer is expressing their disillusionment with love and how it can be used as a tool to cause pain and destruction rather than bringing joy and happiness. They feel as though love has been given a bad reputation by people who make promises they cannot keep and manipulate others for their own benefit. The lyrics suggest that the person they're addressing is a common offender in this regard, but by extension, the criticism can be felt more widely. This song serves as a cautionary tale on the dangers of putting one's trust blindly in another person without being aware of their intentions.


Line by Line Meaning

Shot through the heart, and you're to blame, darling
You hurt me deeply by breaking my heart, and it is solely your fault


You give love a bad name
Your actions and behavior have caused me to view love in a negative light


An angel's smile is what you sell
You pretend to have a kind and gentle persona to lure others in


You promise me heaven
You make grandiose promises of love and affection


But pull me to hell
Your actions and behavior ultimately lead to heartbreak and pain


Chains of love, got a hold on me
I am trapped in a toxic relationship with you


When passion's a prison you can't break free
Our intense emotions have become a form of entrapment for me


You're a loaded gun
You have the potential to cause great harm and destruction


There's nowhere to run
There is no escape from the pain and heartbreak you have caused me


No-one can save me, the damage is done
There is no one who can help me now that the harm has been done


I play my part and you played your game
I tried to be a good partner, but you were only interested in playing manipulative games


Darling you give love a bad name
Your actions and behavior have negatively impacted my perception of romance and relationships


And you give love a bad name
You are responsible for causing widespread harm and destruction in the realm of love and relationships




Writer(s): Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child, Richard Sambora

Contributed by Landon O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@usArrr3

Ryuhoshi imho saying "no homo" is a bit homphobic* - if you feel it is bad if internet-strangers think you're homosexual you're implying being homosexual is not as good as being heterosexual...

*I don't like the term "homophobic" either, as it implies one is afraid of homosexuals, while it really is hate instead of fear... :/


(And I'm not implying you're a homophobic, or anything, but this is just how I feel about the "no homo" term... )


AND: Yes, pretty sick singing, as always :)



@arianabarjamcanaj9352

Shot through the heart
And you're to blame
Darlin', 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

Oh, you're a loaded gun, yeah
Oh, 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 (bad name)
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name (bad name)
You give love, a bad name

Paint your smile on your lips
Blood red nails on your fingertips
A school boy's dream, you act so shy
Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye

Whoa, you're a loaded gun
Whoa, 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 (bad name)
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name (bad name)
You give love, oh

Oh, 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 (bad name)

Shot through the heart
And you're to blame
You give love a bad name (bad name)
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name (bad name)
You give love
You give love (bad name)
You give love
You give love (bad name)
You give love
You give love (bad name)
You give love
You give love



All comments from YouTube:

@alexisundead2479

am i the only one who gets shivers when he hits the high notes?

@mudgie0205

Nope :P

@alexbydubai4469

nope #nohomo

@stevenwright366

did you know he has a four octave range?

@alexisundead2479

Steven Wright i didnt know that, wow

@stevenwright366

yup he has a video on it go watch it its awesome

7 More Replies...

@pellekofficial

Next up: Abnormalize from Psycho-Pass :) Let me know what you wanna hear after that one guys! ^_^

@FiveJungYetNoSmite

pellekofficial You could cover some Queen songs, i think your voice would fit perfectly to some of them.

@thanatos123100

The new one piece opening

@MJ12hu

pellekofficial Highland Glory - Forever Endeavour
(or Land of Forgotten Dreams (part 2))

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