Most of the band relocated to Nashville, but the full lineup played a reunion concert in Bloomington on July 7, 2013.
You've Gotta Love
The Red Hot Valentines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But don't I feel like I feel I should
Well that's nothin new
I wish I understood
Why I always act so selfish
Why I feel like I can't look at you
What can I do
After all I've done
I think you've got a love
That I wanna come and get me some
I drove around cause I was thinkin'
Drivin' fast tryin' to lose this feelin'
How I've done it again
How I do it again
When I know exactly what to
And you think that I would want to
Not hurt you again
How can you still love me
After all I've done
I think you've got a love
That I wanna come and get me some
Could you pick me up and dust me off
I need a lot of work
And could you touch my heart
And make it feel like it used to
Well I'm a selfish man without regret
And there's a lot of things
I guess I just dont care
But I want to
Could you show me
Yeah..... yeah..... yeah
Half the time I dont want to be here
Half the time I dont ever want to leave
But I know what's waiting for me
If I just forget about me
Take the time to remember where I am
And who I am
How can you still love me
After all I've done
I think you've got a love
That I wanna come and get me some
Could you pick me up and dust me off
I need a lot of work
And could you touch my heart
And make it feel like it used to
Well I'm a selfish man without regret
And there's a lot of things
I guess I just dont care
But I want to
Could you show me
Yeah..... yeah..... yeah
Could you pick me up and dust me off
I need a lot of work
And could you touch my heart
And make it feel like it used to
Well I'm a selfish man without regret
And there's a lot of things
I guess I just dont care
But I want to
Could you show me
Yeah..... yeah..... yeah
The overall theme of The Red Hot Valentines' "You've Gotta Love" is the singer's struggle with his own selfishness and his amazement at the love he still receives from his partner despite his behavior. In the first stanza, he recognizes that he hurt his partner and questions why he acts this way, while admitting that this behavior is not new to him. In the second stanza, he drives around trying to escape his feelings and acknowledges that he knows what he should do to not hurt his partner yet still does so. He expresses his disbelief and gratitude that his partner still loves him after all that he's done.
In the third stanza, the singer asks for help and support from his partner. He knows that he needs work and wants his partner to help him become a better person. He admits to being a selfish man without regret, but acknowledges that he wants to change. He asks his partner to show him how to be a better person. In the final stanza, the singer recognizes that he often feels conflicted, but knows that he needs to remember who he is and where he came from.
The lyrics allude to the idea that love is enduring and can overcome even the most selfish actions. The singer recognizes his flaws and his tendency to hurt others, yet he still finds solace and hope in the love he receives from his partner. Despite his own issues, he is willing to do the work to better himself and be deserving of the love he's been given.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk away cause I know I hurt you
I leave because I realize I have caused you pain
But don't I feel like I feel I should
Despite my actions, I still feel guilty
Well that's nothin new
This is a common occurrence for me
I wish I understood
I desire to comprehend why I act this way
Why I always act so selfish
I don't know why I am continuously self-centered
Why I feel like I can't look at you
I feel ashamed and unable to face you
What can I do
I am helpless and don't know what to do
How can you still love me
I don't understand how you can still love me after what I've done
After all I've done
Considering my actions and behavior towards you
I think you've got a love
You possess a type of love
That I wanna come and get me some
I desire to experience that love
I drove around cause I was thinkin'
I went on a drive to ponder and reflect
Drivin' fast tryin' to lose this feelin'
I attempted to escape my emotions by driving recklessly fast
How I've done it again
I made the same mistake again
How I do it again
I continue to repeat my patterns of behavior
When I know exactly what to
I am aware of what I should do
And you think that I would want to
You expect me to want to avoid causing you pain
Not hurt you again
To refrain from causing you pain once more
Could you pick me up and dust me off
Can you help me recover from my mistakes?
I need a lot of work
I require much improvement
And could you touch my heart
Can you help me regain my emotional sensitivity?
And make it feel like it used to
To restore my previous emotional state
Well I'm a selfish man without regret
I am a self-centered individual without remorse
And there's a lot of things
There are many issues I need to work on
I guess I just dont care
I seem to lack concern for my actions
But I want to
Despite my current state, I wish to improve
Could you show me
Can you guide me in the right direction?
Yeah..... yeah..... yeah
Repetition of the phrase 'yes'
Half the time I dont want to be here
At times, I don't wish to be in this situation
Half the time I dont ever want to leave
Other times, I don't want to leave because I am afraid of the alternative
But I know what's waiting for me
I understand the consequences of my actions
If I just forget about me
If I stop being self-centered
Take the time to remember where I am
To remind myself of my current state
And who I am
And who I aspire to be
Contributed by Evelyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.