Love Bites

Def Leppard

If you've got love in your sights
Watch out, love bites
When you make love, do you look in your mirror?
Who do you think of?
Does he look like me?
Do you tell lies?
And say that it's forever?
Do you think twice, or just touch and see?
Ooh, babe
Ooh, yeah
When you're alone, do you let go?
Are you wild and willing or is it just for show?
Ooh, come on

I don't want to touch you too much baby
'Cause making love to you might drive me crazy
I know you think that love is the way you make it
So I don't want to be there when you decide to break it, no

(Love bites, love bleeds)
It's bringing me to my knees (love lives, love dies)
It's no surprise (Love begs, love pleads)

It's what I need
When I'm with you are you somewhere else?
Am I getting through or do you please yourself?
When you wake up will you walk out?
It can't be love if you throw it about
Ooh babe, I don't want to touch you too much baby
'Cause making love to you might drive me crazy, oh

(Love bites, love bleeds)
It's bringing me to my knees (love lives, love dies)
It's no surprise (Love begs, love pleads)
It's what I need

Oh yeah, I don't want to touch you too much baby
'Cause making love to you might drive me crazy
I know you think that love is the way you make it
So I don't want to be there when you decide to break it, no

(Love bites, love bleeds)
It's bringing me to my knees (love lives, love dies)
(Love bites, love bleeds)
It's bringing me to my knees (love lives, love dies)
It's no surprise (love begs, love pleads)
It's what I need
If you've got love in your sights
Watch out, love bites
Yes it does, it will be hell


Lyrics submitted by Boonechic_21

Love Bites Lyrics as written by Richard Allen Steve Clark

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Love Bites song meanings
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55 Comments

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  • +6
    General Comment
    The chorus to this song, is very haunting. Not the "love bites" verse, but the "I don't want to touch you too much baby" part. It stays stuck in my head for days, and I can't get rid of it.
    aceticaon July 05, 2002   Link
  • +4
    General Comment
    To me this song is about a fast woman and this guy wants to be in love with her but he knows she's a player. That's why love bites. He knows all the ill feelings the "relationship" with her generates but he wants it while at the same time not getting too close to her . He knows he'll only get hurt in the end.
    suthernlasson December 09, 2007   Link
  • +3
    General Comment
    I have loved this song since I first heard when the album released. By the by, Def Leppard has some of the coolest intros EVER to their songs. Examples: Pour Some Sugar On Me (the original and the one on their best of), Rock of Ages and this, Love Bites. This guy is obviously afraid to get too attached to this girl, who seems a little more fast and free and not one for commitment. It's why he asked, "Do you tell lies and say that it's forever" as well as, "I don't wanna be there when you decide to break [love]." I love the hypocrisy in his words as well. Love bites. Love bleeds. Love lives and dies. Yet, he needs and wants it. Not only one of the greatest Def Leppard songs, but one of the best rock ballads (and severely underrated, as all Def tunes sans Sugar seem to be).
    cubbyblueson May 28, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    Ochikanobee, the line about making and breaking love, here's my spin: He is saying that she equares sex with love. By that I mean, having sex means love. So, in essence, perhaps she really doesn't know what love is. The break line just means he doesn't want to be there when she calls it off, sex, relationship, the whole shebang.
    cubbyblueson May 28, 2006   Link
  • +2
    Song Meaning
    I got the impression that this girl is all about the show during sex. She's hot, sensual but can't connect during the act. Kinda like a porn star. She knows how to satisfy a man, and herself but there's nothing else. No emotional connection, no love, no commitment. It's just an act, and although he's attracted to her he knows it will never be anything more than that which is what drives him crazy to be THAT close to her--yet so far away.
    razor10235on October 02, 2018   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I have about 300 songs on my favourite song list, but this is always without a doubt number one. This song and I go way back. It is about a man who loves this person but he questions whether they love him as much, so he's asking - do you really care? what happens when I'm not there? Is there someone else? Do you really care about anyone other than yourself. It's quite sad really. I also like the many different meanings of the words "Love Bites", you can give someone love bites, and love can also "bite" in the slang sense of the word -it bites, it's crap. But the real meaning is there in the words - if you've got love in your sights, watch out, love bites. If you're thinking of getting into something with someone, be careful cos love has a sting in the tail.
    hilarainbowon October 14, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    For me this song's abut watching the one you love someone else (that old saying!) whether it's a current boyfriend/girlfriend, an ex, or even a friendship or a platonic relationship. Just the insecurity. Awww. Haunting song, but a great one!
    crankitupon March 06, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I think this song has 2 different interpretations its either about a guy who lost a girl who meant a lot to him thats why he asks "does he look like me?" and he asks those other questions out of hope that the relationship she's in now wont work but it could also mean he's with her and hes afraid that she doesn't feel the same way so he's trying his best to keep it together but wants to know answers at the same time
    DREADFULon November 05, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    i think the song has something to do with someone who is not capable of love with anyone but themselves "when you make love do you look in the mirror" and who has sex and thinks this is love but doesnt show it in any other way. thats my take anyway
    clairpfon June 01, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Its about a woman who loves recklessly "It can't be love if you throw it about " The man wants to love...desires to love her. But he realizes she doesnt know what love is. So making love to her breaks him "Love Bites, Love Bleeds" because he knows its a one way street, because she doesnt know how to love - she maybe just wants the physicalness "Are you wild 'n' willin' or is it just for show?".
    JoeRexon July 25, 2010   Link

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