Love Is A Hurtin
The Temptations Lyrics


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For every little kiss there's a little teardrop
For every single thrill there's another heartache
The road is rough
The going gets tough

Love is a hurtin' thing
Oh, love is a hurtin' thing
When you're in my arms I'm a king on a throne
But when we're apart I walk the streets alone
One day happiness
The next day, loneliness

When love brings so much joy why must it bring such pain
Guess it's a mystery that nobody can explain

Maybe I'm a fool to keep on loving you
'Cause there may come a time you'll break my heart in two
But I want you so
I want you though I know that





Love is a hurtin' thing
Oh, love is a hurtin' thing

Overall Meaning

The Temptations' song "Love Is A Hurtin' Thing" deals with the ups and downs of love. The opening lines, "For every little kiss there's a little teardrop, for every single thrill there's another heartache," set the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics detail how, despite the joy and happiness that love can bring, it can also bring pain and heartache. The chorus, "Love is a hurtin' thing, oh, love is a hurtin' thing," is a simple, yet powerful statement that captures the essence of the song.


The verses paint a picture of the contrasting emotions that come with love. When the singer is with their partner, they feel like a king on a throne, but when they are apart, they feel lost and alone. The lyrics acknowledge the unpredictability of love, with lines like "One day happiness, the next day, loneliness." The singer questions why love must come with so much pain, calling it a "mystery that nobody can explain." Despite the uncertainty and potential for heartbreak, the singer admits to wanting to continue loving their partner, even though they may end up hurt in the end.


Overall, "Love Is A Hurtin' Thing" is a relatable and timeless song about the complexities of love, and how it can be both wonderful and painful at the same time.


Line by Line Meaning

For every little kiss there's a little teardrop
Even the smallest pleasures of affection are accompanied by sorrow and tears.


For every single thrill there's another heartache
Every moment of excitement and happiness is followed by disappointment.


The road is rough
The journey through love is not easy.


The going gets tough
The challenges of love often become difficult to handle.


Love is a hurtin' thing
Love can cause pain and suffering.


Oh, love is a hurtin' thing
Love can bring pain and sorrow.


When you're in my arms I'm a king on a throne
Being with you gives me absolute joy and happiness.


But when we're apart I walk the streets alone
When we're not together, loneliness and sadness take over me.


One day happiness
One moment I am happy and content.


The next day, loneliness
The next moment, I am alone and sad.


When love brings so much joy why must it bring such pain
Even though love can bring immense joy, it comes with suffering and sorrow.


Guess it's a mystery that nobody can explain
The reasons for love's pain and suffering are unknown and inexplicable.


Maybe I'm a fool to keep on loving you
Despite the pain and suffering caused by love, I still continue to love you.


'Cause there may come a time you'll break my heart in two
I fear that one day, you might cause me immense heartbreak and pain.


But I want you so
Despite the possibility of pain, I want to be with you.


I want you though I know that
I still want to be with you even though I know it may bring pain.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Ben Raleigh, Dave Linden

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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