Love Spreads
The Stone Roses Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Love spreads her arms
Waits there for the nails
I forgive you boy
I will prevail

Too much to take
Some cross to bear
I'm hiding in the trees with a picnic
She's over there, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah

She didn't scream
She didn't make a sound
I forgive you boy
But don't leave town

Cold black skin
Naked in the rain
Hammer flash in the lightning
They're hurting her again

Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen

Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen

I have a dream
I've seen the light
Don't put it out, and she's alright
Yeah, she's my sister

She didn't scream
She didn't make a sound
I forgive you boy
But don't leave town

Cold black skin
Naked in the rain
Hammer flash in the lightning
They're hurting her again

Oh, oh, oh
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen

Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen

Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen

Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen

Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen

Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen

I've had a dream
I've seen the light




Don't put it out, and she's alright
Yeah, she's my sister

Overall Meaning

The Stone Roses' "Love Spreads" is a haunting rock song that speaks of a woman who has been victimized, but ultimately prevails. The lyrics hint at religious symbolism, equating the woman to a messiah figure. The opening lines, "Love spreads her arms, waits there for the nails," seem to echo the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The singer forgives a boy (perhaps the abuser) but makes it clear that they cannot leave town. Later, the lyrics describe the woman as being "cold black skin" and "naked in the rain," while an ominous "hammer flash" is heard in the background, suggesting that she is being tortured or abused in some way.


However, despite her suffering, the woman is strong and resilient. "She didn't scream, she didn't make a sound," the song says. And in the chorus, the singer repeats that "the messiah is my sister, ain't no king, man, she's my queen," suggesting that the woman is a symbol of hope and redemption. By the end of the song, the singer has had a dream and seen the light, realizing that the woman will be all right.


Overall, "Love Spreads" is a powerful and enigmatic song that uses religious and mythological imagery to tell a story of resilience and hope.


Line by Line Meaning

Love spreads her arms
Love is open and welcoming to all


Waits there for the nails
Love is willing to endure pain and suffering for those she loves


I forgive you boy
Love is forgiving and understanding


I will prevail
Love is strong and will overcome any obstacle


Too much to take
Sometimes life can be overwhelming


Some cross to bear
Everyone has their own struggles to overcome


I'm hiding in the trees with a picnic
Sometimes it's good to take a break and find peace in nature


She's over there, yeah
Love is always present, even if not physically visible


She didn't scream
Victims of violence and abuse may not always cry out for help


She didn't make a sound
Abuse can be silent and hidden


But don't leave town
Justice must be served, and the perpetrator cannot be allowed to escape


Cold black skin
The victim is dark-skinned, highlighting the issue of racial discrimination


Naked in the rain
The victim is vulnerable and exposed


Hammer flash in the lightning
The violence is sudden and intense


They're hurting her again
The abuse is ongoing and relentless


Let me put you in the picture
Let me give you some context and understanding


The messiah is my sister
The victim is a symbol of hope and redemption


Ain't no king, man, she's my queen
The victim is powerful and deserving of respect and dignity


I have a dream
The singer has hope for a better future


I've seen the light
The artist has gained insight and understanding


Don't put it out, and she's alright
Don't extinguish the hope for a better future, and the victim will recover


Yeah, she's my sister
The victim is part of a wider community, and we all have a responsibility to protect and support each other




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN SQUIRE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@foekist7312

Love spreads her arms
Waits there for the nails
I forgive you boy
I will prevail
Too much to take
Some cross to bear
I'm hiding in the trees with a picnic
She's over there, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
She didn't scream
She didn't make a sound
I forgive you boy
But don't leave town
Cold black skin
Naked in the rain
Hammer flash in the lightning
They're hurting her again
Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen
Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen
I have a dream
I've seen the light
Don't put it out, and she's alright
Yeah, she's my sister
She didn't scream
She didn't make a sound
I forgive you boy
But don't leave town
Cold black skin
Naked in the rain
Hammer flash in the lightning
They're hurting her again
Oh, oh, oh
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen
Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen
Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen
Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen
Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen
Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king, man, she's my queen
I've had a dream
I've seen the light
Don't put it out, and she's alright
Yeah, she's my sister



@arturonunez2890

Love spreads her arms, waits there for the nails
I forgive you boy, I will prevail
Too much to take, some cross to bear
I'm hiding in the trees with a picnic, she's over there
Yeah
Yeah Yeah Yeah
Yeah Yeah Yeah

She didn't scream, she didn't make a sound
I forgive you boy, but don't leave town
Cold black skin, naked in the rain
Hammer flash in the lightning
They're hurting her again

[Chorus:]
Let me put you in the picture
Let me show you what I mean
The messiah is my sister
Ain't no king man she's my queen
[x2]

I have a dream, I've seen the light
Don't put it out, say she's alright
Yeah she's my sister

She didn't scream, she didn't make a sound
I forgive you boy, but don't leave town
Cold black skin, naked in the rain
Hammer flash in the lightning
They're hurting her again
Oh Oh

[repeat the chorus seven times]

I have a dream, I've seen the light
Don't put it out, says she's alright
Yeah she's my sister!



All comments from YouTube:

@Red-yt2dk

This is one of those songs where you don't get out of the car until it's done.

@captaingrammar

Great way of describing it.

@yrsawoodsworth3618

As an 80’s 90’s teen, you said it man!!!( woman?)!!!!

@bernardmurphy6678

Until its done?? Until its done 3 or 4 times 😀

@Andrellas

Well said!!

@wannabecarguy

Unfortunately after the release. The fans convinced the lead guitarist to go out on his own and that was the beginning of the end.

69 More Replies...

@chrissilvester4424

Absolutely no question this is one of the most sexiest guitar riffs in the history of music. There's summit extremely special about The Stone Roses that's indescribable.

@barbarabeard3904

Yup, and if you get it then you know

@abelmontalvo4052

​@@barbarabeard3904you live it you get it

@vitomartinomusic

Yeah, it has that voodoo, Voodoo child thing

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