Here I am, I'm in the wrong bed again
It's a game I just can't win
There you are breathin' soft on my skin, yeah
Still you won't let me in

Why save your kisses for a rainy day
Baby let the moment take your heart away

Have you ever needed someone so bad, yeah
Have you ever wanted someone
You just couldn't have
Did you ever try so hard
That your world just fell apart
Have you ever needed someone so bad

And to the girl I gotta have
I gotta have you baby

There you go, midnight promises again, yeah
But they're broken by the dawn
You want to go further, faster every day, baby
But in the morning you'll be gone
And I'm alone

Why save your kisses for a rainy day
Baby let the moment take your heart away

Have you ever needed someone so bad, yeah
Have you ever wanted someone
You just couldn't have
Did you ever try so hard
That your world just fell apart
Have you ever needed someone so bad

Every dream I dream is like
Some kind of rash 'n' reckless scene
To give out such crazy love
You must be some kind of drug
And if my time don't' ever come
For me you're still the one
Damned if I don't, damned if I do
I gotta get a fix on you

Have you ever needed someone so bad, yeah
Have you ever wanted someone
You just couldn't have
Did you ever try so hard
That your world just fell apart
Have you ever needed someone so bad

Have you ever wanted someone
Did you ever try so hard
That your world just fell apart
Have you ever needed someone so bad

And to the girl I gotta have
I gotta have you baby
It's a game I just can't win
Have you ever needed someone so bad, yeah
Have you ever wanted someone


Lyrics submitted by Boonechic_21, edited by Loranys

Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad Lyrics as written by Elliott Collen

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

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Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad song meanings
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28 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I'm only 16 years old. I don't know what love is, but this time in a child's life, you are meant to search for it. Maybe, I'll never know what true love is, but I have needed someone so bad. Girls I know I could never have walk right past me on a daily basis, and they don't even stop to look my direction. As they walk away, they have no idea my heart is leaving with them. Maybe it is not love, but to answer Def Leppard's question, yes I have needed someone so bad.

    aceticaon June 03, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    "Have you ever wanted someone you just couldn't have?"

    Yes. I have.

    lucideron July 21, 2009   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    Although the point of the song is to be heart wrenching, it is pretty much a love song.

    The author of the song has put into words how much he needs this woman and is likening the pain of being away from her to wanting someone they couldn't have. Joe's emotion when he sings it does this theme justice. Thus, the song ends with the lines that aren't the chorus:

    "And you're the girl I gotta have I gotta have you baby, yeah"

    SultanOfSixon December 29, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I'm only 22, but Def Leppard was the first band I fell in love with thanks to my parents always listening to them my whole life. There is just something about songs like this that they make. It just grabs a hold of those looming memories you try to bury everyday, but know will never leave you. I can't help but think of my ex girlfriend whenever I hear this. Sure, other girls have and will come along, but none of them could ever offer the deep passion I did and will always feel for this woman. To answer your question yes, I have needed someone so bad, and she tears my world apart every day that I have to see her and pretend I don't love her. She's "the girl I gotta have. I gotta have you baby."

    Deuce8311on April 13, 2015   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i know EXACTLY how yo feel acetica!!

    dreamevil3on April 10, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is really pretty.

    allenegirlon May 25, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The same goes for every guy I have ever wanted,Acetica

    Boonechic_21on June 06, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i'm lonely.. i want a girlfriend.. this is a VERY pretty song.. i have confidence that'll i'll find that special one though! :) :) :) def leppard rocks!

    chevelleinc2005on September 28, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Man, I love this song. Def Leppard were the first rock band I ever listened to, they are still brilliant.

    quiffpornon November 02, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad is another intensely emotional song by Def Leppard, so many people can relate to it. It was one of the first songs I fell in love with when I bought the Best of album. The line, 'Did you ever try so hard that your world just fell apart' contains such concentrated emotion that is absolutely unmistakeable. It's one of my absolute favourite songs!

    whiteroseon March 27, 2005   Link

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