Weight of Love Lyrics

Lyric discussion by phaffonso 

Cover art for Weight of Love lyrics by Black Keys, The

This song is about a father worried/concerned about his teenage daughter as he realizes she is starting her social/affective/sexual life.

first verse is about him realizing she is growing up and starting to go out. She can't be "protected" anymore:

I used to think, darling, you never did nothing But you were always up to something

I got to think those days are coming to get ya Now no body want to protect ya

the chorus is about his concern about her:

You'll be on my mind Don't give yourself away To the weight of love

"don't give yourself away to the weight of love" means he wants her to be careful about love and sex, so she doesn't get hurt

second verse makes reference to partying and hooking up with anyone just because they don't wan't to be alone. Typical teenage behavior:

Dance all night cause people they don't wanna be lonely Never wanna be lonely They don't wanna be lonely

and finally, these lines are about her virginity:

You have a thing no one could ever be sure of Never ever had a pure love

My Interpretation

@phaffonso I can see where you're coming from, however, Dan Auerbach wrote this song, as well as the rest of the album as he was going through a very messy divorce with his ex-wife Stephanie Gonis.

There were a lot of accusations thrown around during the trial; she attempted to commit suicide in front of their kid, and she blamed it on Dan for abusing her.

This song is likely about his experience with Stephanie.