The Love You Save
The Jackson 5 Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Stop na na na, you'd better save it!
Stop, stop, stop, you'd better save it!

When we played tag in grade school
You wanted to be It.
But chasing boys was just a fad
You crossed your heart you'd quit.
When we grew up you traded
Your promise for my ring
Now just like back to grade school
You're doing the same old thing!

Stop, the love you save may be your own!
Darling, take it slow
Or some day you'll be all alone.
You'd better stop, the love you save may be your own!
Darling, look both ways before you cross me
You're headed for the danger zone.

I'm the one who loves you!
I'm the one you need!

Those other guys will put you down
As soon as they succeed!

They'll ruin your reputation!
They'll label you a flirt!

The way they talk about you
They'll turn your name to dirt, oh!

Isaac said he kissed you
Beneath the apple tree
When Benji held your hand he felt
Electricity
When Alexander called you
He said he rang your chimes.
Christopher discovered
You're way ahead of your times!

Stop, the love you save may be your own!
Darling, take it slow
Or some day you'll be all alone.
You'd better stop, the love you save may be your own!
Darling, look both ways before you cross me
You're headed for a danger zone.

Slow down.
Slow down.
Slow down.
Slow down.

S is for "Save it"
T is for "Take it slow"
O is for "Oh, no!"
P is for "Please, please, don't go!"

The love you save may be your own
Some day you may be all alone
Stop it!
Save it, girl!
Baby, ooh!
You better stop, the love you save may be your own
Please, please
Or some day, some day baby,
You'll be all alone

I'm the one who loves you!
I'm the one you need!

Those other guys will put you down
As soon as they succeed. (Ah!)

Stop, the love you save may be your own, baby
You'd better stop it, stop it, stop it girl!
Or someday you'll be all alone.

The way they talk about you
They'll turn your name, turn your name to dirt.

Stop, he love you save may be your own!
Don't you know don't you know.
Some day baby you'll be all alone. (Wait a while)

Those other guys will put you down
As soon as they succeed.





Stop, the love you save may be your own!

Overall Meaning

The Jackson 5's "The Love You Save" is a song about a girl who compulsively chases after boys, just like she used to do when she played tag in grade school. The song warns her that she risks ruining her reputation and becoming lonely if she doesn't slow down and be more careful with her love. The lyrics reference several boys who have already fallen for her, including Isaac, Benji, Alexander, and Christopher. The song's chorus employs an acrostic device, spelling out the word "STOP" as an acronym for "Save it", "Take it slow", "Oh no", and "Please don't go".


The first verse of the song sets up the narrative, describing the girl's initial desire to chase after boys in grade school. The second verse shows how she has continued that pattern into adulthood, trading her promises of loyalty for a ring and still chasing after the boys who pay her attention. The chorus warns her that she needs to slow down and save her love for someone who truly deserves it, or else risk being alone in the end. The lyrics throughout the song are quite straightforward and use relatable metaphors like falling down a rabbit hole or getting stuck in a spider web.


Line by Line Meaning

Stop na na na, you'd better save it!
Stop what you're doing and think twice about your actions.


When we played tag in grade school, you wanted to be It.
You used to be playful and free-spirited.


But chasing boys was just a fad, you crossed your heart you'd quit.
You made a promise to yourself that you would stop engaging in fleeting romantic interests.


When we grew up you traded, your promise for my ring. Now just like back to grade school, you're doing the same old thing!
As you got older, you gave up on your promise and committed to a more permanent relationship, but you're still repeating past mistakes.


Stop, the love you save may be your own! Darling, take it slow, or some day you'll be all alone.
Be careful with love, as you could end up hurting yourself in the end. Take things slow and think about your actions.


You'd better stop, the love you save may be your own! Darling, look both ways before you cross me, you're headed for the danger zone.
If you don't change your ways, your actions will lead to danger and potential heartbreak.


I'm the one who loves you! I'm the one you need!
The singer is reminding their love interest who truly cares for them.


Those other guys will put you down, as soon as they succeed!
The artist warns their love interest about the intentions of other romantic interests, who will betray and disappoint them.


The way they talk about you, they'll turn your name to dirt, oh!
The artist warns their love interest that other romantic interests will tarnish their reputation and image.


S is for 'Save it', T is for 'Take it slow', O is for 'Oh, no!', P is for 'Please, please, don't go!'
The artist is urging their love interest to 'Save it' for a true, meaningful relationship, 'Take it slow', 'Oh, no!' to avoid heartache, and 'Please, please, don't go!' to stay committed to them.


Stop, the love you save may be your own, baby! You'd better stop it, stop it, stop it girl! Or someday you'll be all alone!
The singer is emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy and respectful relationship in order to avoid loneliness and heartbreak.


Don't you know, don't you know! Some day baby, you'll be all alone.
The artist warns their love interest that if they continue on their current path, they will end up alone and regretful.


Stop, the love you save may be your own!
The refrain of the song emphasizes that one must be careful with their love and actions, as it may lead to unintended consequences.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Freddie Perren, Alphonso Mizell, Deke Richards, Berry Gordy Jr

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@xscapemjlover9209

Michael Jackson is the greatest entertainer the world has ever seen

@annieray8964

Facts

@JohnnyAngel8

Ah, no.

@billiejeanies7041

PURRR

@r.o1449

@@iceychill2125 he didn't...

@iceychill2125

@@r.o1449 he did

155 More Replies...

@cdmbooks1493

There will never be another one like him. The great Michael Jackson.

@imetaboyiusedtoknow8308

The energy of this song still hits 50+ years later

@ign1096

Yea

@Gwen3344

@@ign1096 I was thinking and feeling the exact same thing!

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