Although their relationship is challenging, the investment of emotion and time that they have made in each other presents them with no choice but to press on, for better or worse. As lightning flashes and thunder inevitably follows, they are forever linked - regardless of whether they accept that fact or reject it.
He knows just what to say to hurt her in an argument and she has a hard time communicating. She often sits in silence when they are arguing — while he talks at her - because she just doesn’t know how to respond to him. Even if she felt strong enough to fight back in like manner, she is not sure that the point would be. It would solve nothing. It seems that his insecurity about their relationship is a primary culprit in much of their fighting - "the doubts that complicate [his] mind."
The fights have become habitual — almost routine. Their interactions are often unhealthy and prescribed by previous fights to the point where the truth of the situation is obscured by the same tired phrases and rhetoric they always use with each other in every fight. They are exhausted and know the relationship is dysfunctional. They can no longer see a peaceful future ahead of them. Even so, there is no going back to the days before they were in a relationship. They have already intertwined their lives to such a degree that turning back is unthinkable.
The last verse offers no solutions. She says to him essentially, “Let’s just go to sleep and try not ache anymore.” She wants them to do the best they can to start fresh the next day, because she doesn’t want to leave him. She will continue on faith that a solution can be found one day based upon nothing more than the fact that they care about each other far more than either of them realize and because everything she knows and everything she sees is linked in some way to him. Since life separated from one another is not an option, they have to just take a break from fighting, rest and hope for better times.
THIS is correct. In my opinion this is exactly what this song means. Dead on, akingry.
THIS is correct. In my opinion this is exactly what this song means. Dead on, akingry.
I can relate too much to this song. It sucks. A crappy relationship with a million problems. Yet we stick together because our bond is too strong. We always end up back in each others arms. We belong together. That's all it is.
I can relate too much to this song. It sucks. A crappy relationship with a million problems. Yet we stick together because our bond is too strong. We always end up back in each others arms. We belong together. That's all it is.
I'm not quite so sure about the negative spin on this. You need to realize that the album was released in 1984, and was written and recorded just after Pat Benatar married Neil Giraldo, her lead guitarist. At the time it was fairly well known that this album was their valentine to each other.
I'm not quite so sure about the negative spin on this. You need to realize that the album was released in 1984, and was written and recorded just after Pat Benatar married Neil Giraldo, her lead guitarist. At the time it was fairly well known that this album was their valentine to each other.
So I believe that what you are reading as pain in an abusive relationship is more about the challenges of difficult circumstances. This is reinforced by the music video - Pat was at the peak of her fame and absolutely had the authority to exercise creative control over the video. It's pure romance.
The "When you say 'we belong to the light, we belong to the thunder'" can certainly be seen as a forceful partner exerting his will on someone who can't stand up for themselves. But I've always seen it as a partner reassuring and supporting someone who's struggling. She questions if they should be together, and he assures her they are meant to be.
Although their relationship is challenging, the investment of emotion and time that they have made in each other presents them with no choice but to press on, for better or worse. As lightning flashes and thunder inevitably follows, they are forever linked - regardless of whether they accept that fact or reject it.
He knows just what to say to hurt her in an argument and she has a hard time communicating. She often sits in silence when they are arguing — while he talks at her - because she just doesn’t know how to respond to him. Even if she felt strong enough to fight back in like manner, she is not sure that the point would be. It would solve nothing. It seems that his insecurity about their relationship is a primary culprit in much of their fighting - "the doubts that complicate [his] mind."
The fights have become habitual — almost routine. Their interactions are often unhealthy and prescribed by previous fights to the point where the truth of the situation is obscured by the same tired phrases and rhetoric they always use with each other in every fight. They are exhausted and know the relationship is dysfunctional. They can no longer see a peaceful future ahead of them. Even so, there is no going back to the days before they were in a relationship. They have already intertwined their lives to such a degree that turning back is unthinkable.
The last verse offers no solutions. She says to him essentially, “Let’s just go to sleep and try not ache anymore.” She wants them to do the best they can to start fresh the next day, because she doesn’t want to leave him. She will continue on faith that a solution can be found one day based upon nothing more than the fact that they care about each other far more than either of them realize and because everything she knows and everything she sees is linked in some way to him. Since life separated from one another is not an option, they have to just take a break from fighting, rest and hope for better times.
THIS is correct. In my opinion this is exactly what this song means. Dead on, akingry.
THIS is correct. In my opinion this is exactly what this song means. Dead on, akingry.
I can relate too much to this song. It sucks. A crappy relationship with a million problems. Yet we stick together because our bond is too strong. We always end up back in each others arms. We belong together. That's all it is.
I can relate too much to this song. It sucks. A crappy relationship with a million problems. Yet we stick together because our bond is too strong. We always end up back in each others arms. We belong together. That's all it is.
I totally agree. Akingry, you've hit the meaning dead-on. Excellent interpretation & explanation.
I totally agree. Akingry, you've hit the meaning dead-on. Excellent interpretation & explanation.
I'd make the argument that the last verse, they are separated, and the "still you say" right before the chorus is her hearing his voice in her head.
I'd make the argument that the last verse, they are separated, and the "still you say" right before the chorus is her hearing his voice in her head.
I'm not quite so sure about the negative spin on this. You need to realize that the album was released in 1984, and was written and recorded just after Pat Benatar married Neil Giraldo, her lead guitarist. At the time it was fairly well known that this album was their valentine to each other.
I'm not quite so sure about the negative spin on this. You need to realize that the album was released in 1984, and was written and recorded just after Pat Benatar married Neil Giraldo, her lead guitarist. At the time it was fairly well known that this album was their valentine to each other.
So I believe that what you are reading as pain in an abusive relationship is more about the challenges of difficult circumstances. This is reinforced by the music video - Pat was at the peak of her fame and absolutely had the authority to exercise creative control over the video. It's pure romance.
The "When you say 'we belong to the light, we belong to the thunder'" can certainly be seen as a forceful partner exerting his will on someone who can't stand up for themselves. But I've always seen it as a partner reassuring and supporting someone who's struggling. She questions if they should be together, and he assures her they are meant to be.
My $.02