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.
Now that we love
Now that the lonely nights are over
How do we make love stay?
Now that we know
The fire can burn bright or merely smolder
How do we keep it from dying away?
Elusive as dreams
Barely remembered in the morning
Love like a phantom flies
But held in the heart
It pales like the emply smile adorning
A statue with sightless eyes
Moments fleet, taste sweet within the rapture
When precious flesh is greedily consumed
But mystery's a thing not easily captured
And once deceased not easily exhumed
Now that we love
Now that the lonely nights are over
How do we make love stay?
Now that we loved
Look at the moonless night and tell me
How do we make love stay?
Now that the lonely nights are over
How do we make love stay?
Now that we know
The fire can burn bright or merely smolder
How do we keep it from dying away?
Elusive as dreams
Barely remembered in the morning
Love like a phantom flies
But held in the heart
It pales like the emply smile adorning
A statue with sightless eyes
Moments fleet, taste sweet within the rapture
When precious flesh is greedily consumed
But mystery's a thing not easily captured
And once deceased not easily exhumed
Now that we love
Now that the lonely nights are over
How do we make love stay?
Now that we loved
Look at the moonless night and tell me
How do we make love stay?
Lyrics submitted by ladyamanda
Make Love Stay Lyrics as written by Dan Fogelberg
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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Make Love Stay was inspired by Tom Robbin's novel "Still Life With Woodpecker". (If you check out the liner notes, there's a short notation reading 'For Dr. Robbins and Woodpecker'.) While the book is too complex to go into here, suffice it to say its a love story between two redheads.
As far as love songs go, this is one of my favorites. So many love songs ramble on about searching for the perfect lover or that first passionate spark. Very few ask "What now?' After that one night of wild love, or even after ten years of marriage, how does one make love stay?
While the song gives no direct answers, it warns mystery is not easily captured and once deceased not easily exhumed. Anyone can get into a one night stand...it takes work to fall in love and make that love stay.
Make Love Stay was inspired by Tom Robbin's novel "Still Life With Woodpecker". (If you check out the liner notes, there's a short notation reading 'For Dr. Robbins and Woodpecker'.) While the book is too complex to go into here, suffice it to say its a love story between two redheads.
As far as love songs go, this is one of my favorites. So many love songs ramble on about searching for the perfect lover or that first passionate spark. Very few ask "What now?' After that one night of wild love, or even after ten years of marriage, how does one make love stay?
While the song gives no direct answers, it warns mystery is not easily captured and once deceased not easily exhumed. Anyone can get into a one night stand...it takes work to fall in love and make that love stay.
Love his music and I love that this one asks the question but doesn’t give trite answers. I do wonder though about the description of love held in the heart
“But held in the heart It pales like the empty smile adorning A statue with sightless eyes”
I’m a bit lost in the imagery. The empty smile belongs to the one adoring. Who is the statue with sightless eyes? How is love held in the heart like this as opposed to being
“Elusive as dreams Barely remembered in the morning Love like a phantom flies”
I would have thought held in the heart it would be more solid or stable.