Meaning of "Not Enough" by Van Halen

The song "Not Enough" delves into the complexities of love and emphasizes that mere love alone is not enough for a successful and fulfilling relationship. The lyrics express the idea that true love requires more than just feelings and attraction. It requires trust, faithfulness, and equality. The repetition of "It's not enough" emphasizes the insufficiency of love on its own. The song goes on to describe different ways of loving someone, such as secretly, honestly, tenderly, foolishly, and hopelessly, but maintains that none of these forms of love are enough on their own. Love, as depicted in the song, can be painful and challenging. The lyrics suggest that love takes time to find and might not come easily. The line "You turn and swear it's always been there" suggests that sometimes we might search for love in all the wrong places when it has been right in front of us the whole time. However, the song also offers a glimmer of hope, assuring that trust can be placed in the speaker's heart, as it will always belong to the listener honestly. Ultimately, the song portrays love as a complex and multifaceted emotion that requires more than just affection and desire to be truly meaningful.