The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Well, I won't be the one
To disappoint you anymore
And I know I've said all this
So that you heard it all before
The trick is getting you to think
That all this was your idea
And that this is everything
You ever wanted, out of here
Love's not a competition
But I'm winning
I'm not sure
What's truly altruistic anymore
'Cause every good thing that I do is listed
And you're keeping score
Love's not a competition
But I'm winning
Love's not a competition
But I'm winning
Or at least I thought I was
But there's no way of knowing
At least I thought I was
But there's no way of knowing
You know what it's like
When you're new to the game
But I'm not
Well, I won't be the one
To disappoint you
Well, I won't be the one
To disappoint you anymore
Well, I won't be the one
To disappoint you anymore
(Love's not a competition but I'm winning)
Well, I won't be the one
To disappoint you anymore
(Love's not a competition but I'm winning)
I won't be the one
To disappoint you anymore
To disappoint you anymore
And I know I've said all this
So that you heard it all before
The trick is getting you to think
That all this was your idea
And that this is everything
You ever wanted, out of here
Love's not a competition
But I'm winning
I'm not sure
What's truly altruistic anymore
'Cause every good thing that I do is listed
And you're keeping score
Love's not a competition
But I'm winning
Love's not a competition
But I'm winning
Or at least I thought I was
But there's no way of knowing
At least I thought I was
But there's no way of knowing
You know what it's like
When you're new to the game
But I'm not
Well, I won't be the one
To disappoint you
Well, I won't be the one
To disappoint you anymore
Well, I won't be the one
To disappoint you anymore
(Love's not a competition but I'm winning)
Well, I won't be the one
To disappoint you anymore
(Love's not a competition but I'm winning)
I won't be the one
To disappoint you anymore
Lyrics submitted by thrwmyhrtawy., edited by Mellow_Harsher
Love's Not a Competition (But I'm Winning) Lyrics as written by Charles Richard Wilson Andrew Robert White
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Love's Not a Competition (But I'm Winning) (Kaiser Chiefs cover) song meanings
Add Your Thoughts
13 Comments
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
oh, and I kinda think the Paramore version's better.
Idk, maybe it's just preference. And I'm not too fond of British accents in singing...
You should listen to You Me At Six.<br /> They're from the UK but thy're really good(:
Really nice and catchy acoustic cover of the song. I love it a lot. I find it much better than the original version (no offense to anyone that likes it), because I'm not used to people with accents singing.
Josh's small part singing in this makes my heart skip a beat everytime... His voice is beautiful. I don't know why he doesn't have enough backup parts...I wanna hear more of his voice! hahah.
^Yeah, that's what I meant with the accent thing. Completely agree with you, xxbreakmedown ... especially with the Josh thing. He really does have an awesome voice. It's half the reason My Heart and Franklin are so good.
Yeah.
Peace.
Oh yeah I love the part in Franklin when he and Hayley sing together the, "Could you remind me of a time when we were so alive..." its AMAZING!
i luv this more than the original paramore just make the song even better they make it happier nd can i add bout the brittish accent its nt brittish its ENGLISH!!! scottish nd welsh people dont sing with an accent lyk that
^Yeah, sorry about that. I meant English, it's just sometimes I forget about being politically and geographically correct. LOL
Sorry if it offended you or something... didn't mean to.
Yeah, I'm posting way too many times on this song... 3 of the 6 comments are me...
Peace.
haha no offence taken just pointing it out lol still adore the song tho!
LOVEE this songg. "i'm not sure what's truly altruistic anymore cause every good thing that i do is listed and you're keeping score" ^ my favorite line in the whole song
i love paramores version of it too. but i give Kaiser Chief 5 gold stars for putting this song togetherrr, its soo beautiful
Lovely song. I actually thought it was an acoustic version of their own song, and then realised it was a cover when i brought the Radio 1 Live Lounge CD.
Ah well, I then listened to both versions and definitely this one is more attractive to listen to. Its powerful but soft at the same time, obviously if it means a lot more to you at the time.
Either way, Hayley Williams is so fit!! Haha just thought I would add that in!
i love this song .... catchy i love paramore
It's a sort of heartbrek-ish song. But at the same time, it's not... Dunno how to explain it. 'Haunting' describes it perfectly....