There goes my old girlfriend, there's another diamond ring.
And, all those late night promises I guess they don't mean a thing.
So baby, what's the story?
Did you find another man?
Is it easy to sleep in the bed that we made?
When you don't look back I guess the feelings start to fade away.

I used to feel your fire, but now it's cold inside.
And you're back on the street like you didn't miss a beat, yeah.

Tell me what it takes to let you go.
Tell me how the pain's supposed to go.
And tell me how it is that you can sleep in the night without thinkin'
Without thinkin' you lost ev'rything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
Tell me what it takes to let you go. Yeah.

Girl, before I met you I was F.I.N.E. Fine.
But your love made me a prisoner, yeah my heart's been doing time.
You spent me up like money then you hung me out to dry.
It was easy to keep all your lies in disguise.
'Cause you had me in deep with the devil in your eyes.

Tell me what it takes to let you go.
Tell me how the pain's supposed to go.
Tell me how it is that you can sleep in the night
Without thinkin' you lost ev'rything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
Tell me what it takes to let you go.
Guitar!

Tell me that you're happy that you're on your own. Yeah yeah.
Yeah, tell me that it's better when you're all alone.
Tell me that your body doesn't miss my touch.
Tell me that my lovin' didn't mean that much.
Tell me you ain't dyin' when you're cryin' for me.

Tell me what it takes to let you go.
Tell me how the pain's supposed to go.
Tell me how it is that you can sleep in the night
Without thinkin' you lost ev'rything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?

So tell me who's to blame for thinkin' twice.
No no no no.
'Cause I don't wanna burn in paradise.
I don't I don't I don't wanna burn in paradise.
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go,
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go,
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go,
'Cause I don't wanna burn, 'cause I don't wanna burn, let go
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
(Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)


Lyrics submitted by oofus

What It Takes Lyrics as written by Perry Anthony Joseph Desmond Child

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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What It Takes song meanings
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26 Comments

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  • +5
    General Commentthis song, i have to listen to on full blast whenever i hear it. it's changed my life in many ways. when ever i listen to it, i feel like walking up to my ex and screaming this in his ear. it's exactly the way i feel. i've been listening to this song for ages now, and each word that he says is like a remedy for the pain. it's the one break-up song that actually has meaning. this song is about a person breaking up with someone, because of some doubts, and then realizing that the person they just broke up with acts like they don't care, like their whole relationship meant nothing to him/her. then, you start to realize that it was a mistake, and that you can't let go, which is the hardest part of a dying relationship.

    aerosmith did a great job with this song, it's my favorite song, nevermind my favorite aersmith song.
    weltumgedrehton May 28, 2007   Link
  • +3
    General CommentThis song was the story of my life during the summer of 2012...she and I would break up...only to get back together a few days later...things would be okay (although that is a pretty big stretch) for a couple weeks, but then we would break up again...like an idiot, I would take her back, and buy into all of her lies. The final straw came in mid September when we ended again...but the difference between the other times...I was NOT taking her back, and I was moving on with my life. My friends saw her with another dude..so I was like its over now. I gave her everything, but got NOTHING in return. She claimed she loved me...what a joke. Basically, when the relationship ended...I cut all contact with her. I am happier without her in my life.
    CKF929on January 09, 2013   Link
  • +2
    General Comment"When you don't look back I guess the feelings start to fade away"

    Ain't that the truth.
    P_Eon December 17, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Commentthis was mine and the guy i loved's song. he just dumped me, but this song will forever be in my heart. i love aerosmith.
    QTcaton July 30, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI am going through a break up right now, and it was a relationship I didn't want to get into, cuz I pretty much just got over the last girl I was with "Girl before I met you I was F I N E fine.... I hate girls I think the rolls have changed over the years, girls are just flat out cruel. but anyway, I have been listening to this song all week, Aerosmith is a great band, their just not Bon Jovi
    BonJovi08on February 03, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Commenti hate it.
    it just fits in my world right know... and i hate how does it makes me feel about my stupid boyfriend, he's a firefighter, so, the part
    i used to feel your fire
    But now it's cold inside
    fits me so well... :/ but i just cant stop listening to this song, so, aerismith rocks, and i hate my boyfriend!
    or exboyfriend... i dunnow what he is anymore...
    -R^
    ReBeKiTaon May 22, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Commenthaha i saw them last wednesday nightt, and i didnt know this song at the time of the concert, and they did it, and the line that really stuck out to me was "gilr before i met you i was F.I.N.E fine!" haha and noww i love this songg! omg and to Aam1016.well, your quite right, my friend, Aerosmith is amazing to listen to while driving. i went on a roadtrip with my family, to Colorado, Grand Canyon, && las Vegas, and we listened to them, and it was really great. there amazzingg. =]]
    nicolelovesrhcpon September 23, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Commentthis song is about a girl breaking up with a guy and that guy is in pain and she is just fine so he is confused
    aerosmith4evaon December 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Commenti just saw aerosmith live yesterday, and they played this song. they did an awesome job. i suggest you all go see them live :)
    kristen86on August 31, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentMayebe my favourite song from my favourite band. I love the guitar solo it is so rythmic. Steven sings it really well
    aeromanon April 30, 2003   Link

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