Every second is a lifetime
And every minute more brings you closer to God
And you see nothing but the red lights
You let your body burn like never before.

And it feels better than love.
Yeah it feels better than love.

Turn away, turn away, close your eyes
you can runaway.
It's not enough.

Another second in the sunshine,
A decade in the dark taking part in a dream.
Have you forgotten what she looks like?
Or do you only see what you want to believe?

Does it feel better than love?
Does it feel better than love?

Turn away, turn away, close your eyes
you can runaway.
It's not enough.

I see the lights through the rain, oh tonight
but they never change.
So what is love?

Does it feel better than love?
Does it feel better than love?

Turn away, turn away, close your eyes
you can runaway.
It's not enough.

I see the lights through the rain, oh tonight
but they never change.
So what is love


Lyrics submitted by seventeenhands

Better Than Love Lyrics as written by Gregory Perkins Daniel Atkins

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Better Than Love song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

12 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +2
    General Comment

    WOW! These guys are so amazing! I love how they sound like they're bringing back 80s disco. However I have no idea what this song is about, although it's probably not directly about love. And the video doesn't make a whole heap of sense either. But this is still such an incredibly wonderfully catchy song :)

    Delilah8on August 22, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Not sure about the drugs to be honest. I think it's more about going out partying, trying to pretend that you're having a good time clubbing, getting drunk, having a laugh etc. after a break up.

    "Every second is a lifetime, And every minute more brings you closer to god" Every minute more brings you closer to God - doesn't want to waste time, wants to go out and have fun partying, not "dying" and waiting to get closer to god so to speak.

    "And you see nothing but the red lights, You let your body burn like never before" Red lights - red light districts, partying, drugs as well (but not just drugs), alcohol, sex etc. Your body burn - I think that's a fairly good description of when you go out, let your hair down and just go out purely to get smashed and have fun.

    "And it feels better than love, Yeah it feels better than love" As it says on the tin - this partying etc is better than the relationship you were recently in.

    "Turn away, turn away, close your eyes, you can runaway, It's not enough" Basically the partying/going out is him turning away from the relationship, closing his eyes at how hurt he is, or how much he loved the girl, and running away from the pain, but, despite pretending that it is "better than love", ultimately, "it's not enough".

    "Another second in the sunshine, A decade in the dark taking part in a dream, Have you forgotten what she looks like? Or do you only see what you want to believe?" Not quite sure about the first two lines, but the bottom two lines are asking whether he has truly forgotten the girl, or whether he's just seeing her in negative way/not picturing her at all to try and trick himself into thinking he's alright about the breakup/moving on.

    "I see the lights through the rain, oh tonight, but they never change, So what is love?" He sees the red lights, can see the partying, but at the end of the day, it's just the same, it's not fulfilling like being in a relationship is. And if he truly does think this is "better than love", what exactly is love?

    bored13579on November 03, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This was the first song I heard by Hurts and I just got hooked. Theo uses his real vocals [unlike people auto tuning their voices] and Adam plays beautifully. Also, kudos to Richard and his amazing opera skills. I love these guys.

    SashaPandaon November 21, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This is a pretty terrific song. Just discovered these guys and I hope they have long and prosperous careers. They sound absolutely amazing!

    minimalistlivingon January 02, 2011   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    My opinion is that he is talking about an orgasm in the first part /every minute more brings you closer to god, let your body burn like never before, you see nothing buth the red lights etc.He is talking about the superior strength of sexuality and he says it feels better than love. But in the other part he says it's not enough and this time there is a question mark /does it feel better than love which means he is not sure about that so what he is trying to say is that pure satisfaction is nothing comparing to love and the fullfillment it brings. Sex without love in the end brings misery. It can only bring temporary satisfaction, it's nothing wrong to try, but just not enough in the end;)

    sunasceon January 04, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    First thing that came up in my mind was: drugs.

    "Every second is a lifetime, And every minute more brings you closer to god, And you see nothing but the red lights, You let your body burn like never before" when you're on drugs you have no perception of time and space. And if they're strong they can be very dangerous, so they "bring you closer to God" (if you know what I mean). The rest of the verse is always about how you feel on drugs.

    "Turn away, turn away, close your eyes, you can runaway" Being on drugs makes him feel so light and free, he uninhibitedly does random things such as spinning round, with eyes closed, and running somewhere far (maybe not even for real, but just in his imagination).

    "It's not enough" I think that's clear. He wants more.

    "And it feels better than love" "Does it feel better than love?" When I first heard this line I immediately thought of Trainspotting, 1993 film about drugs and drug addicts (if someone hasn't seen it, I highly recommend to). In this movie there's a line, talking about heroin, that says that it is "better than sex". So I think the speaker's asking himself if that drug trip of his is actually better than love, with the following thought "so what is love?" cause seeing the marvellousness and awesomeness of it he probably doesn't get why people still prefer "love" to drugs. Maybe he doesn't really know what IS love?

    The rest of the lyrics are basically just images of his psychedelic and amazing trip.

    psychedelicgleeon August 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Comparison

    Good song, although I can't help but be reminded of the HIM version of Wicked Game during the 'and it feels better than love'.

    fucton June 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it is about narcissim

    The highs experienced by narcissim makes the narcissist feel closer to god

    narcissists are addicts to supply, they feed off people and they see the red lights but they do it anyway.

    puzzlebreakeron May 06, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    I think this song tell about that some is cheating somebody with a hooker and it feels better than love.

    Theres like a part "you see nothing but the red lights". I think that is refering to the red light district in amsterdam with all the hookers.

    Theres also a part like "have you forgotten what she looks like?". So that could mean that he is cheating her with somebody else.

    This song is so creepy when you think it that way ;DD

    Mirskion August 23, 2015   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is a beautiful song...i think that this guy feels that love is a waste of time and brings a lot of pain.. "every second is a life time" means that time is precious so not to waste it..u an die any second of time

    "every minute more brings u closer to god" means that as every minute passes u move closer to death...

    "u see nothin but the red light" well this is a bit confusing...i think he's tokin about the red light from the flemes of hell..the bad deeds u are forced to do in love leads u to hell..

    "and u let ur body burn like never before" means that the flames of hell are the worse flames u have ever faced in life...its very painful...

    now here is wot he tries to say "and it feels better than love"..what he wants to say here is that the pain u get in the flames of hell is better than the pain u get in love..and he assures that yes it is better than love..

    then he warns other people by saying "turn away,turn away,close your eyes u can run away."..here he means that u still have time..dont fall in love..turn away from love..then ull be able to escape..

    MUBAZA111on October 09, 2011   Link

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

Album art
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song: Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.” That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
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,
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.