This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Girl, when you hold me, how you control me
You bend and you fold me, anyway you please
It must be easy for you, the loving things that you do
But just a pastime for you, I could never be
And I never know, girl
If I should stay or go (or go away, girl)
'Cause the games (the games) that you play (you play)
Keep driving me away
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Kisses and caresses, are only minor tests, babe
Of love lead to stresses, between a woman and a man
(Between a woman and a man)
So if love everlasting, isn't what you're asking
I'll have to pass, girl, I'm proud to take a stand
I can't continue guessing (guessing)
Because it's only messing (it's only messing)
With my pride (my pride) and my mind (and my mind)
So write down this time to time
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Ooh, baby, I'm just a little old-fashioned
It's take more than physical attraction (attraction)
My initial reaction is honey, give me love (give me love)
Not a facsimile of
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl (ohh-ohh, baby)
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love (love me)
Don't love me for fun, ooh, baby
Let me be the one
Love me (for a reason), love me for a reason
(Let the reason be love) be love
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl (let me be the one, girl)
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
You bend and you fold me, anyway you please
It must be easy for you, the loving things that you do
But just a pastime for you, I could never be
And I never know, girl
If I should stay or go (or go away, girl)
'Cause the games (the games) that you play (you play)
Keep driving me away
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Kisses and caresses, are only minor tests, babe
Of love lead to stresses, between a woman and a man
(Between a woman and a man)
So if love everlasting, isn't what you're asking
I'll have to pass, girl, I'm proud to take a stand
I can't continue guessing (guessing)
Because it's only messing (it's only messing)
With my pride (my pride) and my mind (and my mind)
So write down this time to time
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Ooh, baby, I'm just a little old-fashioned
It's take more than physical attraction (attraction)
My initial reaction is honey, give me love (give me love)
Not a facsimile of
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl (ohh-ohh, baby)
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love (love me)
Don't love me for fun, ooh, baby
Let me be the one
Love me (for a reason), love me for a reason
(Let the reason be love) be love
Don't love me for fun, girl
Let me be the one, girl (let me be the one, girl)
Love me for a reason
Let the reason be love
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Love Me for a Reason Lyrics as written by Johnny Bristol David Jones Jr.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.