Our Love
Rhett Miller Lyrics


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Our Love

Richard Wagner's letters to his lover Mathilde were a mess
He should have quit before he had written the address
They made love on the mezzanine her husband was his friend
Vienna in a fugue-state working on a thing
That when he finished it took almost seven hours to sing
He still found time to write to her his heart-exploding words
Our love surpassed our love so fast
Our love's all wrong our love goes on and on
Our love became our love by name when I wrote it to you in a song
Our love goes on and on
Our love our love
Kafka in his letters to his lover Milena was alive
But he was waiting for a love that never would arrive
Their rendezvous was singular her husband was his friend
She is a living fire she is a reason to live
She is killing me burning only for him
I'll spend my whole life loving her my heart exploding words
Our love surpassed our love so fast
Our love's all wrong our love goes on and on
Our love became our love by name when I wrote it to you in a song
Our love goes on and on
Our love our love our love our love
Our love surpassed our love so fast
Our love's all wrong our love goes on and on
Our love became our love by name when I wrote it to you in a song




Our love goes on and on our love our love
Our love our love our love our love our love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Our Love" by Rhett Miller portray two distinct love stories through the letters of famous writers. The first one speaks about Richard Wagner and his lover Mathilde. The lyrics describe their relationship as complicated because they met while Mathilde already had a husband, who was a friend of Wagner. Moreover, Wagner's letters to Mathilde were disorganized, and he even made mistakes while addressing his letters, indicating that their relationship might not have been well planned. However, despite these challenges, Wagner and Mathilde's love grew significantly, and as a result, he dedicated his infamous work, "Tristan and Isolde," to her. Consequently, the lyrics state that their love surpassed everything and that it is all wrong yet it still goes on and on.


The second story that "Our Love" portrays is about Franz Kafka and his lover Milena. According to the lyrics, Kafka and Milena's love was more one-sided as Kafka was waiting for a love that never came. They also had to conduct their rendezvous in secret because Milena was married, and her husband was Kafka's friend. However, despite these obstacles, Kafka's letters to Milena portrayed his love for her as intense and passionate, and she was his reason to live. Nevertheless, the lyrics reveal that Kafka's love for Milena was not reciprocated, and he would spend his entire life loving her with his heart exploding words.


Overall, "Our Love" is a song that captures the complexities of love and the trials that come with loving someone. The lyrics portray two different love stories in which love is not easy, and the obstacles faced ultimately lead to heartbreak. However, despite this heartbreak, there is a sense of persistence and hope that love ultimately prevails.


Line by Line Meaning

Richard Wagner's letters to his lover Mathilde were a mess
Richard Wagner's letters to Mathilde were chaotic


He should have quit before he had written the address
He should have stopped writing before even addressing his letters


They made love on the mezzanine her husband was his friend
They had an affair while her husband was his friend


Vienna in a fugue-state working on a thing
Vienna was in a state of mental confusion while he worked on something


That when he finished it took almost seven hours to sing
His work was so long that it took almost seven hours to perform


He still found time to write to her his heart-exploding words
Despite being busy, he still expressed his love for her in writing


Our love surpassed our love so fast
Their love grew quickly and strongly


Our love's all wrong our love goes on and on
Despite being unconventional, their love persists


Our love became our love by name when I wrote it to you in a song
Their love became official when he expressed it in a song


Kafka in his letters to his lover Milena was alive
Kafka expressed his love to Milena through letters


But he was waiting for a love that never would arrive
Kafka longed for a love that was unattainable


Their rendezvous was singular her husband was his friend
They had a secret meeting while her husband was his friend


She is a living fire she is a reason to live
Milena is a passionate and important person in Kafka's life


She is killing me burning only for him
Kafka is consumed by his love for Milena, while she only cares for her husband


I'll spend my whole life loving her my heart exploding words
Kafka will always love Milena and express his love passionately


Our love our love
Their love is a significant aspect of their lives


Our love surpassed our love so fast
Their love grew quickly and strongly


Our love's all wrong our love goes on and on
Despite being unconventional, their love persists


Our love became our love by name when I wrote it to you in a song
Their love was made official when expressed in a song


Our love goes on and on our love our love
Their love will continue and is important to them


Our love our love our love our love our love
Their love is a constant and recurring theme




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STEWART RANSOM MILLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

BODLAW1

What a great song, and the references to Wagner and Kafka are accurate. Nice work, Mr. Miller.

Erica J

One of my favorite albums still!

Troy Barnes

Scrubs just made me find this song. (S3E18) I really like it.

Fabian Monsberger

Me to 😂

Chris Phillips

Me to bro!

Christopher Sorick

Our Alternative radio station in Omaha, Nebraska played the hell out of this song back in 2003! It was an amazing time for music with great artists like Rhett Miller, Ryan Adams, Travis, Damien Rice, Alanis Morissette, The Cranberries, Leonna Naess, The Wallflowers, Sister Hazel, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, & so many others!

Christopher Sorick

@Steven You know I love them!

Steven

How you gonna be from Omaha in that time period and not mention the Saddle Creek acts like Cursive, Bright Eyes, The Faint, and Rilo Kiley?!

Anton Sabaldashny

Damn, thats so sad that this kind of music is not popular anymore. Feel like I missed a great wave)

Harry

man this song rocks right next to come around

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