Meaning of "Love Hurts" by Nazareth

The lyrics of "Love Hurts" delve into the complicated and contradicting nature of love. The song presents love as a force that inflicts wounds and scars upon the heart, emphasizing its ability to cause pain and suffering. The repetition of "Love hurts, ooh ooh love hurts" throughout the song reinforces this central theme and acts as a melancholic reminder of the negative consequences of love.

The first verse suggests that love is not something that can be easily endured, stating that it requires a tough and resilient heart. Love is compared to a cloud that holds a lot of rain, symbolizing the emotional heaviness and burden that it carries. The use of imagery effectively conveys the idea that love is not always peaceful or gentle but can instead become overwhelming and tumultuous.

In the second verse, the speaker acknowledges their youth, implying that they may still be relatively inexperienced in matters of love. However, they claim to have learned a lot from their past experiences, most likely from a failed relationship. Love is described as a flame that burns when it's hot, highlighting its ability to cause pain and destruction.

The bridge of the song criticizes those who believe in the idealized version of love, dismissing them as fools who fool themselves. The speaker directly opposes this notion, stating that they know love to be a lie designed to make people feel blue. This cynical perspective suggests that the speaker has become disillusioned with the concept of love and no longer believes in its ability to bring happiness or fulfillment.

Overall, "Love Hurts" presents love as a bittersweet and often painful experience. The lyrics reflect the emotional scars that love can leave behind and reject the notion that it can bring true happiness and bliss. The song serves as a cautionary tale, reminding listeners that love can be deceiving and that its consequences can be damaging.