You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk
Pet Shop Boys Lyrics
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Should I react or turn off the light?
Looks like you're picking a fight
In a blurring of wrong and right
But how your mood changes
You're a devil, now an angel
Suddenly subtle and solemn and silent as a monk
You only tell me you love me
It's better than nothing
I suppose
Some doors have opened,
Others closed
But I couldn't see you exposed
To the horrors behind some of those
Somebody said: listen
Don't you know what
You're missing? You should be kissing him
Instead of dissing him like a punk
But you only tell me you love me
When you're drunk
But you only tell me you love me
When you're drunk
All of my friends keep asking me
Why, oh why
Do you not say goodbye?
If you don't even try
You'll be sunk
?Cause you only tell me you love me
When you're drunk
What's the meaning
When you speak with so much feeling?
Is it over when you're sober?
Am I junk?
You only tell me you love me
When you're drunk
But you only tell me you love me
When you're drunk
The lyrics of You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk by Pet Shop Boys talk about a complicated relationship, where the person only expresses their love when they are under an influence. The first lines set the stage for a tumultuous event happening in the present, and the singer is conflicted whether to react or switch off the light. As the song progresses, they reveal how their partner picks fights and blurs the lines of right and wrong. However, the partner's mood keeps changing and they become all lovey-dovey and declare their love only when they are drunk.
The chorus emphasizes the point that any declaration, however brief or unfulfilling, is better than nothing. The singer portrays how they have missed opportunities and how doors have closed because of their partner's unpredictable behavior. In the second verse, someone advises the singer to seize the moment and not miss the chance to kiss their partner instead of being rude, suggesting that they are squandering an opportunity. Still, the partner expresses their love only when they are drunk, and the singer is left wondering about the meaning of their feelings.
The song conveys the idea that love cannot be forced, and a relationship where one's feelings depend on alcohol is anything but stable. It is a portrayal of the emotional tug of war in which one partner is insecure, and the other is unable to express themselves freely.
Line by Line Meaning
What a performance tonight
Tonight's behavior is attention-grabbing or showy
Should I react or turn off the light?
Wondering whether to respond or ignore the behavior
Looks like you're picking a fight
Seems as though an argument is being sought
In a blurring of wrong and right
The actions being taken are crossing ethical or moral lines
But how your mood changes
Observing the rapid shift in demeanor
You're a devil, now an angel
From mischievous to kind in an instant
Suddenly subtle and solemn and silent as a monk
Suddenly quiet and serious
You only tell me you love me when you're drunk
The only time affection is expressed is when intoxicated
It's better than nothing I suppose,
Having some affection is better than none, to some extent
Some doors have opened, others closed
Some opportunities have come while others have been lost
But I couldn't see you exposed, to the horrors behind some of those
I wouldn't want to see you exposed to the negative consequences of some of those opportunities
Somebody said: listen, don't you know what you're missing?
Someone suggests that I'm missing out on something by not fully reciprocating the affection
You should be kissing him, instead of dissing him like a punk
Rather than disrespecting him, I should be showing physical affection
But you only tell me you love me when you're drunk
Affection is only expressed while intoxicated
All of my friends keep asking me why, oh why do you not say goodbye?
Friends question why I'm still in the situation if there is no real affection expressed
If you don't even try, you'll be sunk
If I don't make an effort, I'll fail
'Cause you only tell me you love me when you're drunk
Affection is only expressed while intoxicated
What's the meaning, when you speak with so much feeling?
Questioning the authenticity of emotions expressed while drunk
Is it over when you're sober? Am I junk?
Wondering if the affection is truly over when sober and if I'm disposable
But you only tell me you love me when you're drunk
Affection is only expressed while intoxicated
But you only tell me you love me when you're drunk
Affection is only expressed while intoxicated
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER LOWE, NEIL TENNANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Citizen of the World
What a performance tonight
Should I react or turn off the light?
Looks like you're picking a fight
in a blurring of wrong and right
But how your mood changes
You're a devil, now an angel
Suddenly subtle and solemn and silent as a monk
You only tell me you love me when you're drunk
It's better than nothing, I suppose
some doors have opened, others closed
but I couldn't see you exposed
to the horrors behind some of those
Somebody said: listen
don't you know what you're missing?
You should be kissing him
instead of dissing him like a punk
But you only tell me you love me when you're drunk
You only tell me you love me when you're drunk
All of my friends keep asking me
Why, oh, why
do you not say goodbye?
If you don't even try
you'll be sunk
'cause you only tell me you love me when you're drunk
What's the meaning
when you speak with so much feeling?
Is it over when you're sober?
Am I junk?
You only tell me you love me when you're drunk
You only tell me you love me when you're drunk
Alexx Garcia
This guys are the best, and still making music
slh950
@Konverteraren purple zone
Konverteraren
what are they doing today?
Terry Foraker
Gorgeous song, beautiful in its simplicity. And that line "It's better than nothing, I suppose" always brings a sad smile to my face.
Zac Mumblethunder
Sadly true for so many people in so many situations.
Andrea López Delgado
Yes. I can feel it too, heney.
Marcelo Andrade
Adorável. Absolutamente fabuloso!!!!!
WillieWagglestick
This was one of my friend's favourite songs. I remember lying in his bed listening to it over and over. He died unexpectedly a few years after that. Still miss him and this song makes me think of him. And yet no cure has been found, allegedly.
Dipuprasad Naha
Consult & council.
Therka Alexy
Vuelvo a mi adolescencia 😢