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.
If I didn't love you, I'd hate you
Watching you play in the bath
A soap suds stickle back navy
A scrubbing brush landing craft
Your skin gets softer and warmer
I pat you down with a towel
Tonight it's love by the fire
My mind goes out on the prowl
If I, if I, if I, if I, if I
If I didn't love you, I'd hate you
I'm playing your stereogram
Singles remind me of kisses
Albums remind me of plans
Tonight it's love by the fire
The wind plays over the coals
Passionate looks are my fancy
But you turn the look into stone
If I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I
If I didn't love you
Would you sit and glow by the fire
If I didn't love you
Would you make me feel so
Maybe love me
Oh if I didn't love you, mmm
If I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I
If I didn't love you, I'd hate you
Cocoa mugs sit side by side
It's time to poke at the fire
But it's not tonight
Looks I find
Taking a bite on a biscuit
The record jumps on a scratch
Tonight it's love by the fire
The door of your love's on the latch
If I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I
If I didn't love you
Would you sit and glow by the fire
If I didn't love you
Would you make me feel so
Maybe love me
Oh if I didn't love you
Would you sit and glow by the fire
If I didn't love you
Would you make me feel so
Maybe love me
Oh if I didn't love you, mmm
If I, if I, if I, if I
Didn't, didn't, didn't, didn't
Love you, love you, love you, love you
Watching you play in the bath
A soap suds stickle back navy
A scrubbing brush landing craft
Your skin gets softer and warmer
I pat you down with a towel
Tonight it's love by the fire
My mind goes out on the prowl
If I, if I, if I, if I, if I
If I didn't love you, I'd hate you
I'm playing your stereogram
Singles remind me of kisses
Albums remind me of plans
Tonight it's love by the fire
The wind plays over the coals
Passionate looks are my fancy
But you turn the look into stone
If I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I
If I didn't love you
Would you sit and glow by the fire
If I didn't love you
Would you make me feel so
Maybe love me
Oh if I didn't love you, mmm
If I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I
If I didn't love you, I'd hate you
Cocoa mugs sit side by side
It's time to poke at the fire
But it's not tonight
Looks I find
Taking a bite on a biscuit
The record jumps on a scratch
Tonight it's love by the fire
The door of your love's on the latch
If I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I, if I
If I didn't love you
Would you sit and glow by the fire
If I didn't love you
Would you make me feel so
Maybe love me
Oh if I didn't love you
Would you sit and glow by the fire
If I didn't love you
Would you make me feel so
Maybe love me
Oh if I didn't love you, mmm
If I, if I, if I, if I
Didn't, didn't, didn't, didn't
Love you, love you, love you, love you
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
The song is pretty obvious with the meaning
Wow! I didn't realize how subversive this song was until I read the lyrics. I thought "pulling mussels from a shell" was contraversial. That song doesn't even come close to this one! The boys at Squeeze write and perform great songs but apparently they are also big time pervs!
Genuis lyrics. I dont see how this is perverted as others claim. Just a simple somg about love gone wrong . "A soap suds stickle back navy"... i mean come on, what other pop/rock songer use that kind of metaphor and alitteration? They were in a different class of genius.