The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week ending 8 February 1986. The song ended up topping the Billboard Hot 100, as well as the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart. It was one of the last 45 RPM singles to receive a million-selling Gold certification. It also reached number one in Australia and number five on the UK Singles Chart. "Addicted to Love" became Palmer's signature song, thanks in part to a popular video featuring high fashion models.
Background
Originally intended to be a duet with Chaka Khan, the song was made without her because her record company at the time would not grant her a release to work on Palmer's label, Island Records. Chaka Khan is still credited for the vocal arrangements in the album liner notes.
Andy Taylor of Duran Duran (and a bandmate of Palmer's from The Power Station) provides lead guitar. The other guitar part on the song is played by Eddie Martinez, while keyboards were played by Wally Badarou. The song is also notable for its opening drum solo by Tony Thompson, another Power Station alumnus.
Noddy Holder (the lead vocalist of English rock band Slade) stated in an interview that this song was the main track he wished he had written himself. "The one main song that I wish that I'd written and recorded is 'Addicted to Love' by Robert Palmer. To me, that's a perfect pop song. Everything about it really hits the nail on the head."
Addicted to Love
Robert Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your mind is not your own
Your heart sweats, your body shakes
Another kiss is what it takes
You can't sleep, you can't eat
There's no doubt, you're in deep
Your throat is tight, you can't breathe
Another kiss is all you need
Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
You know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to love
You see the signs, but you can't read
You're running at a different speed
Your heart beats in double time
Another kiss and you'll be mine
A one-track mind, you can't be saved
Oblivion is all you crave
If there's some left for you
You don't mind if you do
Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
You know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
You're addicted to love
You're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
The lights are on, but you're not home
Your will is not your own
Your heart sweats, your teeth grind
Another kiss and you'll be mine
Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
You know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Robert Palmer’s song “Addicted to Love” is a pop-rock song that deals with the theme of addiction to love. In the lyrics, the singer is in the grip of an overpowering addiction to love and is unable to resist a single kiss, even though they know that they should. The opening verse “The lights are on, but you're not home, your mind is not your own” suggests that the singer is in a state of numbness, and they have lost control over their willpower. They cannot sleep, and they cannot eat, as they are constantly consumed by their addiction. Even though they see the signs that they should stay away from love, they cannot resist it.
The chorus “Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah, it's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough, you know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to love” implies that the singer is in denial about their addiction, thinking they are immune to it, but they cannot get enough. The repetition of the phrase “might as well face it, you're addicted to love” highlights the seriousness of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
The lights are on, but you're not home
You are physically present, but your mind is elsewhere
Your mind is not your own
You are not in control of your thoughts and actions
Your heart sweats, your body shakes
Your emotions are overpowering, making your body react physically
Another kiss is what it takes
Physical affection is what you crave to satisfy your addiction
You can't sleep, you can't eat
Your addiction is consuming your daily life
There's no doubt, you're in deep
Your addiction has a strong hold on you
Your throat is tight, you can't breathe
Your addiction is causing you to feel suffocated and trapped
Another kiss is all you need
Physical affection is the only thing that can satisfy your addiction
Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah
You believe that you are stronger than your addiction
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
Your addiction is too strong for you to resist or overcome
You know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to love
You are aware of your addiction and need to confront it
You see the signs, but you can't read
You are aware of the consequences of your addiction, but unable to interpret the danger
You're running at a different speed
You are out of sync with those around you due to your addiction
Your heart beats in double time
Your addiction is causing your heart to race out of control
Another kiss and you'll be mine
You believe that physical affection will satisfy your addiction and bring you happiness
A one-track mind, you can't be saved
Your addiction has taken over your thoughts and you feel helpless to stop it
Oblivion is all you crave
You want to escape reality and immerse yourself in your addiction
If there's some left for you
You are willing to do anything to satisfy your addiction, even if it means taking leftovers
You don't mind if you do
You are willing to indulge in your addiction, regardless of the consequences
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
You need to confront the reality of your addiction to physical affection
Your will is not your own
Your addiction has taken control of your actions and decisions
Your teeth grind
You are experiencing stress and anxiety due to your addiction
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robert Allan Palmer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Romka7777
This song still rocks in 2024... RIP Robert Palmer.
@janeentumbao8690
Today's his birthday. Celebrate accordingly. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
@maricelhickey848
Siempre quise verme como esas chicas.... En ese tiempo😂
@LiamPorter2005
If I had men’s top hat men’s tuxedo super dark black sunglasses on I’d be like a showman
@cicerobezerra7090
BOA tarde a todos!!!
@cicerobezerra7090
❤MÚSICA boa não envelhece !!!❤
@monie187
Who's still addicted to love in 2024?❤
@charlottegregory3082
I am !!!!
@HyloWard
❤❤ STILL ❤❤
@Pilkie101
Definitely! That and black tar heroin.