I want love, but it's impossible
A man like me, so irresponsible
A man like me is dead in places
Other men feel liberated

I can't love, shot full of holes
Don't feel nothing, I just feel cold
Don't feel nothing, just old scars
Toughening up around my heart

But I want love, just a different kind
I want love, won't break me down
Won't brick me up, won't fence me in
I want a love, that don't mean a thing
That's the love I want, I want love

I want love on my own terms
After everything I've ever learned
Me, I carry too much baggage
Oh man I've seen so much traffic

But I want love, just a different kind
I want love, won't break me down
Won't brick me up, won't fence me in
I want a love, that don't mean a thing
That's the love I want, I want love

So bring it on, I've been bruised
Don't give me love that's clean and smooth
I'm ready for the rougher stuff
No sweet romance, I've had enough

A man like me is dead in places
Other men feel liberated

But I want love, just a different kind
I want love, won't break me down
Won't brick me up, won't fence me in
I want a love, that don't mean a thing
That's the love I want, I want love

I want love, just a different kind
I want love, won't break me down
Won't brick me up, won't fence me in
I want a love, that don't mean a thing
That's the love I want, I want love



Lyrics submitted by demskyr

Track duration: 04:35

"I Want Love" as written by Elton John, Bernie Taupin

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


I Want Love song meanings
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20 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:My disposition matches this song fully and completely. I understood what he was saying instantly. He has a desire to love but he's very apprehensive, jaded.

    I want love, won't break me down, won't brick me up, won't fence me in. -He wants love, but not the commitment that generally goes with it. Commitment leads to dishonest appeasement of your partner.

    He wants to love, but he doesn't want to set himself up for heartbreak. He's warning his new partner that he's not going to put his full effort into the relationship because of his disposition.

    I want love, but it's impossible. -I'm too scared to love fully and completely
    A man like me, so irresponsible. -My lack of effort in the relationship should be understood

    A man like me, is dead in places,
    Other men, feel liberated. -He no longer has that idealistic view of love, he's learned not to take it too seriously.

    Do things for your partner because you love them, not because you're in love.
    Flagged killamillaon July 09, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song always kind of confused me... because it seems to be about him saying that he wants love without the emotional part of it when he says "I want love, won't break me down, won't brick me up, won't fence me in. I want a love, that don't mean a thing" and in other parts of the song he talks about how he been hurt before and how he's been "shot full of holes", but then later in the song he says "So bring it on, I've been bruised. Don't give me love, that's clean and smooth. I'm ready for the rougher stuff, No sweet romance, I've had enough."... It seems to be a contradiction.
    Flag me789on October 03, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment:Beautiful song....so raw, and as always with Elton, it's all in the delivery. He really makes you believe it.
    To the people who think this song is about being gay: grow up. We all know Elton's gay, if your only point in
    commenting is to find a way to bring that up, find a more constructive hobby. The theme is so universal, it
    transcends all that, anyway. I agree Boccalatti whole heartedly- I think it's about someone who is obviously
    at heart very sensitive- and has been through the trenches, emotionally. This has left them- both scarred
    and emotionally closed off, but also yearning-deeply- for something more real and lasting. He's a realist
    in that he knows perfect love doesnt exist, and he knows how badly he's been hurt and the flaws that's left him
    with. But at the same time- he can't completely give up the fight- and he's ready for something honest,
    imperfect, flawed, devstatingly painful, if need be. And he's quite a paradox- both jaded and hardened,
    but still searching, still believing it's out there.
    Flag csuzanneon April 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I adore this song. Mainly cause, y'know, ROBERT DOWNEY JR, but the song is really, really, just... Wow. I can't articulate how much I relate to this.
    Flag DeaMaxwellon August 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:My 1st thought was the same as that of LittleBriddie & Tantor.
    I also think it could be that they've been so hurt before that they want a simple, unrestrictive love.

    Robert Downey is absolutely perfect for this video. I love the expression in the 1st part where he "sings" about being irresponsible. They let him out of rehab for the day to shoot this. He's gorgeous. *melt*
    Flag Arcsison May 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:it's about someone who wants to love, but they're unsure if it's now possible after so much emotional scarring they've endured.
    Flag bigred090on January 14, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:My favourite EJ song.
    Flag gweepson July 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I completely agree with StellaMare: The words are those of a man who is seeking a love that isn't the lighthearted, idealised, over-romantic type of the young, but rather, a love that is honest, without illusion.

    He is worn and beaten, and so is blunt as to what he expects. He might want us to believe he's been through so much that he has nothing to lose, but I think in just uttering all that he does, he is more vulnerable than he lets on. In the end, he wants a love that itself is blunt, real, raw, catastrophic, with feeling, it matters not, just so long as it is honest.

    Cheers to a great song and a lovely video.
    Flag Boccalattion June 30, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:LOL it's nothing to do with him being gay. He didn't write the song, anyway, it was probably Benie Taupin who wrote it.
    Flag violet skyon May 13, 2007   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:It is about his gayness and how he's always getting hurt in his gay relationships.
    Flagged pokkagreenteaon March 30, 2007   Link

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