Meaning of "Read About Love" by Richard Thompson

"Read About Love" by Richard Thompson delves into the themes of confusion and misinformation surrounding love and romantic relationships. The narrator's quest for understanding begins at a young age, seeking guidance from their parents and teacher only to be met with awkwardness and avoidance. Turning to magazines and books as a source of information, they develop a skewed perception of what love entails, believing they have deciphered the secrets to making a relationship work. However, as they grow older and receive advice from their brother and a book, they realize that the complexities of love cannot be fully grasped through reading alone. The song highlights the disconnect between the narrator's expectations shaped by external sources and the reality of human emotion and connection. It ultimately conveys the idea that true understanding of love cannot be gleaned solely from books or advice, emphasizing the importance of genuine experience and empathy in relationships.