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.
You took my heart, and you held it in your mouth
And with the word, all my love came rushing out
And every whisper, it's the worst
Emptied out by a single word
There is a hollow in me now
So I'll put my faith in something unknown
I'm living on such sweet nothing
But I'm tired of hope with nothing to hold
I'm living on such sweet nothing
And it's hard to learn
And it's hard to love
When you're giving me such sweet nothing
Sweet nothing
Sweet nothing
You're giving me such sweet nothing
It isn't easy for me to let it go
'Cause I've swallow every single word
And every whisper, every sigh
Eats away at this heart of mine
And there is a hollow in me now
So I'll put my faith in something unknown
I'm living on such sweet nothing
But I'm tired of hope with nothing to hold
I'm living on such sweet nothing
And it's hard to learn
And it's hard to love
When you're giving me such sweet nothing
Sweet nothing
Sweet nothing
You're giving me such sweet nothing
And it's not enough to tell me that you care
When we both know that words are empty air
You give me nothing
Nothing
Sweet nothing
Sweet nothing
And with the word, all my love came rushing out
And every whisper, it's the worst
Emptied out by a single word
There is a hollow in me now
So I'll put my faith in something unknown
I'm living on such sweet nothing
But I'm tired of hope with nothing to hold
I'm living on such sweet nothing
And it's hard to learn
And it's hard to love
When you're giving me such sweet nothing
Sweet nothing
Sweet nothing
You're giving me such sweet nothing
It isn't easy for me to let it go
'Cause I've swallow every single word
And every whisper, every sigh
Eats away at this heart of mine
And there is a hollow in me now
So I'll put my faith in something unknown
I'm living on such sweet nothing
But I'm tired of hope with nothing to hold
I'm living on such sweet nothing
And it's hard to learn
And it's hard to love
When you're giving me such sweet nothing
Sweet nothing
Sweet nothing
You're giving me such sweet nothing
And it's not enough to tell me that you care
When we both know that words are empty air
You give me nothing
Nothing
Sweet nothing
Sweet nothing
Lyrics submitted by mad about the boy
Sweet Nothing Lyrics as written by Tom Hull Calvin Harris
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It's about falling in love with someone but the other person doesn't reciprocate the effort one puts into the relationship.
believing in the words said in the heat of the moment, in the early times of passion during a relationship...taking the leap of faith to believe the honey moon phase words that a lot of people tend to say in the beginning of a relationship but she believed it and realized she was living on such sweet nothings ... notice how it's in like an escort club, affection is being thrown around the room but it doesn't actually mean anything and the men go along with it and are okay with it and take it. it's hard to learn how to love someone when nothing is being done and it's just all words said in the moment."you took my heart and held it in your mouth" i guess played with her heart through his words he didn't even hold it with his hands...
basically about believing the sweet words at the beginning of a relationship and becoming so invested but in the end you realized... it was all nothing.. just sweet words.
I agree! I also would like to point out the feeling of insecurity. For me, some parts of the lyrics are saying that the person is trying to love and hope, but at the same time is very insecure. She has nothing to hold on. It's hard to learn/love when he gives her nothing, just sweet but empty words. It's hard to learn and love and it's hard to let go. She's kinda stuck in the middle. She doesn't really no what to do. That's a terrible feeling I would say.
*She doesn't really KNOW what to do
"So I put my faith in something unknown " i makes think about my long distance relationship...
"hard to learn hard to love"
it seems like staying in unhealthy relationship.
one person just keeps making promises and the other is desperate enough to believe it.
i.e. A situation you don't want to be in, but can't leave.
This song pretty much sums up how I feel in my relationship currently..
"It isn't easy for me to let it go 'Cause I swallow every single word And every whisper, every sigh Eats away this heart of mine And there is a hollow in me now"
(I cant seem to break up with this guy because everything he said I have taken to heart. It makes my heart weak and I always feel empty.)
So I put my faith in something unknown I'm living on such sweet nothing But I'm tired of hope with nothing to hold I'm living on such sweet nothing
(And I dont know if this will work but I still hold on. Im getting so tired of having nothing to show for it.)
And it's not enough To tell me that you care When, we both know the words are empty air You give me nothing Nothing
(Im about to end this because your words are starting to lose their charm.)
This song reminds me of the guy I'm in love with. He took my heart.. we ere dating. He said so many sweet words that I thought for one point he was in love with me.. So i opened my heart and that was the biggest mistake. And until now i will never know if what every he said was a true or a "sweet nothing"
So I put my faith in something unknown I'm living on such sweet nothing But I'm tryin' to hope with nothing to hold
I put my faith for the unknown "his feelings" and believed the words they were "sweet nothings" ... I had a hope every time he flirted with me or played with me hoped that it is a true feeling and not just a play...
I couldn't let it go! it was too late "every whisper, ever sigh ate away this heart of mine" and now my h
And it's not enough To tell me that you care When, we both know the words are empty air You give me nothing
he told me that he cared.. every time he saw me but still he played with my feelings .. but they were truly "empty air".. He gave me nothing!
For me, its about talk being cheap and not enough action. Feelings are important but action is more so and I definitely resonate with this song right now.
basically about betrayal in a relationship. Lies that just keep on coming.. I particularly like the verse "It isn't easy for me to let it go 'Cause I swallow every single word And every whisper, every sigh Eats away this heart of mine And there is a hollow in me now".
I think that all the interpretations of this song sound pretty accurate, of course our readings relate to our own experiences. So, I'd like to add that its about falling in love ("a single word") when you've already lost most of your trust in others--particularly in the way of love: something abstract and often only understood in terms of cliches. After all, love is both one of the most cliche and powerful ideas that's dominated literature, film, art, and music for centuries. "It's hard to learn" when we all have numerous preconceptions about relationships. "But I'm tired of hope with nothing to hold:" Love's immaterial, yet our culture is obsessed with material goods and instant gratification. Why do 'love' and 'nothing' relate? Because when we're desensitized to something, or overrun with an abstract idea, it can mean absolutely nothing--like violence in a gangster movie. The real question that this song asks is: should I eat cliches up like a sixteen year old girl and hope for the best-- or fight the feeling until I'm sure its really there. Just like centuries of blind lovers--everyone loves acting like a sixteen year old girl.