Fragile, like a baby in your arms
Be gentle with me, I'd never willingly do you harm
Apologies are all you seem to get from me
But just like a child, you make me smile when you care for me
And you know

It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together

Independence is still important for us though
(We realise)
It's easy to make the stupid mistake of letting go
(Do you know what I mean?)
My weaknesses, you know each and every one
(It frightens me)
But I need to drink more than you seem to think before I'm anyone's
And you know

It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together

Kiss me goodbye when I'm on my own
But you know that I'd rather be home

It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together

It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together


Lyrics submitted by gasmask, edited by ericpolk

A Question of Lust Lyrics as written by Martin Gore

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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A Question Of Lust song meanings
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23 Comments

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  • +7
    General Comment

    Actually, Martin wrote this song for his girlfriend, who was experiencing a lot of jealousy/insecurity about him being away on tour. The temptations he experiences while on tour are a question of lust, and their relationship is a question of trust - does she trust him enough to not let what they've built up crumble to dust? The last part sums it up - he'd "rather be home" but going on tour is part of being in the world's greatest band!

    WorldInMyEyeson March 21, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i think this song is about some need to go out and....perhaps not quite cheat on his lover, but definitely cross boundaries. but he only loves his lover, and the fact that she/he trusts that is why they're still together.

    desirechildeon June 26, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think this song is about a couple who have been together for a short while but one of the two has some hangup that is preventing them from becoming intimate. The other is becoming sexually frustrated and is wondering if ending the relationship over "a question of lust" is worth it as it could prove to be a loving and lasting relationship.

    Cardiff Gianton October 09, 2005   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    I firstly thought this was about his GL dad... now I feel that it's a ballad explaining that lust is lust and release is release... but there is only 1 #1, and that maybe Poly is ok :)

    redsuitcaseon October 17, 2017   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is one of my top fav Depeche Mode songs. When I was in high school I did an AP English project on this song and its meaning. The best lines are "It's a question of not letting What we've built up Crumble to dust It is all of these things and more That keep us together" Lust or love?

    designer99on August 01, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    To me this song represents the raw NEED to have that one person in your life that satisfies all you need and to feel vulnerable because you have that need. Defeinitely a unique and tragic love story in which one person holds more love and depth than the other.

    depechevixxenon June 08, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I agree 100% with Cardiff Giant... I mean, he explained it perfectly... read the lyrics with his idea in mind and you'll see... It's a question of lust...

    dArKaLiChEon January 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    its a question of lust, its a question of trust, its a question of not letting what weve build up crumble to dust.....lust, trust, building a relationship- all these things together are parts of love....he does things that are not to her liking, maybe not to his likig either, but in the end, for a couple to stay together, you must answer those questions...do i find my partner sexy, do i trust my partner to do what needs to be done, do we want to throw away everything we built up

    airportleon March 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Actually with the ending, it sounds like it's a young man trying to convince his girlfriend to have sex for the first time before he goes away for something.... so they can seal their relationship before he leaves.

    "Kiss me goodbye When I'm on my own But you know that I'd Rather be home"

    HazardPSon June 19, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I personally think the last bit is suggesting that the woman is somehow shy or embarrassed to be seen in public with him. He wants to show everyone, including maybe his family, the woman he loves, but she seems to want it to be secret or is not as committed to the relationship as he is.

    All Is Dreamon January 05, 2007   Link

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