Angels Love Bad Men
The Highwaymen Lyrics
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He rides off in a cloud of dust
Lookin' for a border he can cross
She'll stand by and watch him go
Wonderin' if he'll ever know
The hurt she's feelin' now
And what they've lost
They give their whole hearts when they fall
Angels love bad men that's how it's always been
Love holds their hearts against the wall
When his corporate day comes to and end
He rides away in his Mercedes Benz
Soon he's lost beneath the neon sky
Outside of town, in their suburban home
She spends another night alone
And wonders what went wrong wonders why
Angels love bad men that's how it's always been
They give their whole hearts when they fall
Angels love bad men that's how it's always been
Love holds their hearts against the wall
The Highwaymen's song "Angels Love Bad Men" tells the story of two women who love men who are not good for them. The first verse describes a man who steals gold and then rides off, leaving his woman behind. She watches him go and wonders if he even realizes the pain he's causing her. The second verse is about a man who has a successful career and drives a Mercedes Benz, but he's emotionally distant from his wife. She spends her nights alone, questioning what went wrong in their relationship. Despite their shortcomings, the women in these relationships continue to love their men.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Angels love bad men," suggesting that there is something captivating about men who are not good for them. These "bad" men hold their hearts against a wall, but angels continue to give their whole hearts when they fall. This implies that for some, love is not logical or rational, but emotional and intense. The repeated use of nighttime imagery (clouds of dust, neon sky) adds to the melancholic mood and the sense of the unknown, as both women are uncertain about what the future holds for them.
Overall, the song speaks to the complexities of love and relationships, and how people can become ensnared by the allure of someone who is not good for them.
Line by Line Meaning
When his stolen gold has turned to rust
When his ill-gotten wealth has lost its value
He rides off in a cloud of dust
He departs quickly and without looking back
Lookin' for a border he can cross
Searching for a way to escape responsibility
She'll stand by and watch him go
She'll let him leave without putting up a fight
Wonderin' if he'll ever know
Questioning whether he'll ever understand the pain he's caused
The hurt she's feelin' now
The pain she's experiencing in the present moment
And what they've lost
The things they've sacrificed for his reckless behavior
Angels love bad men that's how it's always been
A common trend that some women have a propensity to be attracted to men who have questionable values or engage in dangerous activities
They give their whole hearts when they fall
They invest deeply in a relationship with a bad man
Love holds their hearts against the wall
Their love leaves them vulnerable to the pain caused by the bad man's actions
When his corporate day comes to and end
When his day of respectable work finishes
He rides away in his Mercedes Benz
He leaves in luxury, unconcerned about the consequences of his actions
Soon he's lost beneath the neon sky
He becomes anonymous in a sea of city lights
Outside of town, in their suburban home
Away from the bright lights of the city, in a calmer, more peaceful location
She spends another night alone
She is without him for yet another evening
And wonders what went wrong wonders why
She ponders on the cause of their problems and why things went wrong
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROGER MURRAH, WAYLON JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind