"Why Can't This Be Love" is a song by Van Halen, off the album 5150, the band's first with lead singer Sammy Hagar, who had replaced founding member David Lee Roth in late 1985. It was the initial single from that album, released in March 1986. It was released on both 7" and 12" single formats, the 12" single featuring an extended version of the song.
The song, driven by bouncy lead keyboard work from Eddie Van Halen performed on an Oberheim OB-8,[1] rose to number 3 on the US Billboard singles chart, and helped 5150 reach the number one slot on the albums chart, a first for the band.
During the 5150 and OU812 tours, Eddie Van Halen played the keyboard parts (using either a Kurzweil K250 or Yamaha DX-7 connected by MIDI to an OB-8 backstage) while Hagar played the guitar parts and the solo. Since the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge tour, Van Halen has taken over the guitar parts and the keyboards are played backstage. Starting during the 1995 Balance tour, Michael Anthony and Eddie Van Halen would sing the second verse of the song during live performances. They would continue to do this on both the 1998 and 2004 tours.
The song was covered by Gigolo Aunts on Everybody Wants Some! (of Van Halen), released in 1997 by CherryDisc Records (Catalog Number: CH 5794-2). Along with another hard rock song, AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long", it was covered by Arab Strap on their E.P. The Shy Retirer[2] and their self-released live album The Cunted Circus.[3]
In 2010, a two-part episode from the Canadian hit show Degrassi: The Next Generation was named after this song.
The song is often a source of humour since it contains the tautological lyrics Only time will tell if we'll stand the test of time.
Why Can't This Be Love
Van Halen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That funny feeling again winding me up inside
Every time we touch
Hey I don't know
Oh, tell me where to begin cause I never ever
Felt so much
And I can't recall any love at all
It's got what it takes
So tell me why can't this be love?
Straight from my heart
Oh, tell me why can't this be love?
I tell myself
Hey only fools rush in and only time will tell
If we stand the test of time
All I know
You've got to run to win and I'll be damned if
I'll get hung up on the line
Hey
No I can't recall anything at all
Oh baby this blows them all away
Woo
It's got what it takes
So tell me why can't this be love?
You want it straight from the heart
Oh tell me why can't this be love?
It's got what it takes
So tell me why can't this be love?
Straight from my heart
Oh, tell me why can't this be love?
Baby why can't this be love
Got to know why can't this be love
I wanna know why can't this be love
The lyrics to Van Halen's song "Why Can't This Be Love" describe the intense emotions of falling in love. The singer relays a familiar feeling that arises every time they touch their lover, causing them to feel wound up inside. They express how they've never felt so much before and are unable to recall any love they've ever experienced that can compare to what they're feeling. The singer questions why their love can't be considered real love, asking why it can't be love when it has everything it takes to be so. They tell themselves to take it slow and not rush in but also acknowledge that sometimes one has to take risks to win.
Overall, the lyrics convey the excitement and intensity of new love while also acknowledging the uncertainty and risk that come with it. The singer ultimately pleads with their partner to give their love a chance and to let it be considered "real" love.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh here it comes
That familiar sensation is returning, stirring up my emotions once more.
That funny feeling again winding me up inside
That inexplicable yet thrilling emotion is coiling up within me, exciting me from within.
Every time we touch
Whenever our skin comes in contact, it triggers these intense emotions inside me.
Hey I don't know
I cannot explain the reason behind these feelings I’m experiencing.
Oh, tell me where to begin cause I never ever
I require guidance because I have never felt this way before.
Felt so much
The level of emotion I’m feeling is unprecedented for me.
And I can't recall any love at all
I do not remember experiencing any other love thus far that can compare to this emotion.
Baby this blows 'em all away
This feeling trumps any past love experiences I may have had.
It's got what it takes
This love has all the necessary components to be genuine and lasting.
So tell me why can't this be love?
Why aren’t we able to pursue this love and see where it goes?
Straight from my heart
This plea is coming directly from my emotions.
I tell myself
I keep trying to reassure myself.
Hey only fools rush in and only time will tell
It might not be prudent to rush blindly into love without knowing if it’s right for us.
If we stand the test of time
If our love is genuinely strong and long-lasting, we will be able to withstand anything.
All I know
The one thing I’m sure of.
You've got to run to win and I'll be damned if
We must take risks and seize opportunities if we want to achieve success in our love life, and I’m determined to do that.
I'll get hung up on the line
I won't hold back or hesitate out of fear.
No I can't recall anything at all
I cannot recollect any other love experience that compares to this one.
Oh baby this blows them all away
This feeling surpasses every other love experience I have ever had.
Woo
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm for this love.
It's got what it takes
This love has all the necessary components.
So tell me why can't this be love?
Why can't we pursue this love and see where it takes us?
You want it straight from the heart
You want me to cut to the chase and be transparent about my feelings.
Baby why can't this be love
Expressing frustration with the situation and asking why our love cannot exist.
Got to know why can't this be love
I need to know why this love cannot exist.
I wanna know why can't this be love
Expressing a strong desire to understand why this love cannot work.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alex Van Halen, Edward Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gopendro Laiphrakpam
Wonderful