The Meaning Behind The Song: It’s Only Love by Tina Turner
Tina Turner is a music icon and one of the most successful female artists in history. One of her biggest hits is “It’s Only Love,” which was released in 1985 as a single from her album “Private Dancer.” The song was written by Mark Knopfler, the lead guitarist of the band Dire Straits, and became a top 30 hit in the US and UK. “It’s Only Love” is a song with a lot of depth and meaning, and in this article, we will explore the lyrics and message behind this Tina Turner classic.
Verse 1: A Love That Shouldn’t Be
The first verse of “It’s Only Love” immediately sets the tone for the song’s theme. Tina Turner sings about a relationship that shouldn’t be happening, but they can’t help themselves because it’s only love. The lyrics state:
“Once I had a love and it was divine
Soon found out I was losing my mind
Mucho mistrust, love’s gone behind
In between what I find is pleasing and I’m feeling fine
Love is so confusing, there’s no peace of mind”
The song’s protagonist is in a love that isn’t supposed to be happening, according to society’s standards. However, the protagonist is feeling good and pleasured in the moment. The “mucho mistrust” shows the instability of the relationship that the protagonist has.
Chorus: The Defense Mechanism of Love
The chorus of “It’s Only Love” is a defense mechanism for the protagonist’s love. The chorus states:
“If you want it, baby, you’ve got it
(Just) breathe it in and breathe it out
The reason for living is easy
The reason for living is just to keep going”
The chorus states that being in love is easy, just like breathing in and out. The reason for living, according to the chorus is to keep going, even in the face of adversity. The chorus’s overall message is that love is all that matters, and everything else is secondary.
Verse 2: The Insecurity That Comes with Love
The second verse of “It’s Only Love” deals with the protagonist’s insecurities in the relationship. The lyrics state:
“I’ll get your number when my friends are gone
You’ll see how easy it is
I’ll show you my affection and my gratitude
I’ll even sing a different kind of love to you”
The protagonist is trying to win over their lover by showing their affection and gratitude. The protagonist will make them happy by singing different types of love, indicating that love is a fickle emotion.
Chorus: Love Over Everything Else
The chorus reappears in the song, indicating that love is more important than anything else. The chorus states:
“If you want it, baby, you’ve got it
(Just) breathe it in and breathe it out
The reason for living is easy
The reason for living is just to keep going”
The chorus’s overall message of love over everything else is what makes the relationship work, even with all its insecurities and complications.
Bridge: The Fear of Losing Love
The bridge of “It’s Only Love” deals with the fear of losing love and the anxiety that comes with it. The lyrics state:
“Don’t be afraid to be weak
Don’t be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart, my friend
That will be the return to yourself
The return to innocence”
The bridge’s message is to look into your heart and embrace your vulnerability. Embracing vulnerability rather than fear of losing love will help in returning to one’s true self.
Chorus: How Love Fosters Survival
The chorus then returns, emphasizing that love fosters survival in tough times. The chorus states:
“If you want it, baby, you’ve got it
(Just) breathe it in and breathe it out
The reason for living is easy
The reason for living is just to keep going”
The chorus’s message is that love fosters survival in tough times, making anything possible.
Verse 3: Making Love the Priority
The final verse of “It’s Only Love” reinforces the song’s overall message that love should be the priority in life. The lyrics state:
“I love you, baby, sure ‘ain’t gonna lie
Without you, baby, feels like I’ve died
‘Cause I love you, baby, sure ‘ain’t gonna lie
Without you, baby, feels like I’ve died, yeah”
This final statement is the ultimate realization of the protagonist’s love. Without the lover, the protagonist feels like they’ve died, further showing how love can make or break someone.
FAQs
1. Who wrote “It’s Only Love”?
“It’s Only Love” was written by Mark Knopfler, the lead guitarist of Dire Straits. The song was originally intended to be recorded by Dire Straits, but they decided to give it to Tina Turner.
2. What inspired the song’s lyrics?
The song’s lyrics were inspired by Knopfler’s then-recent divorce. The lyrics tell the story of a love that shouldn’t be, similar to Knopfler’s situation at the time.
3. What is the message of “It’s Only Love”?
The overall message of “It’s Only Love” is that love is the most important thing in life, even when it’s complicated and imperfect.
4. How was “It’s Only Love” received by audiences?
“It’s Only Love” was received well by audiences, peaking at number 29 in the US and number 33 in the UK. It also received critical acclaim and has since become one of Tina Turner’s most notable songs.
5. What album is “It’s Only Love” from?
“It’s Only Love” is from Tina Turner’s album “Private Dancer,” which was released in 1984.
6. Was “It’s Only Love” a single?
Yes, “It’s Only Love” was released as a single in 1985.
7. Did Tina Turner write any of the song’s lyrics?
No, Tina Turner did not write any of the song’s lyrics. However, she did co-write many of the songs on the “Private Dancer” album.
8. What other songs are on the “Private Dancer” album?
The “Private Dancer” album includes other notable songs such as “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “Better Be Good to Me,” and “Private Dancer.”
9. Was “It’s Only Love” ever covered by other artists?
Yes, “It’s Only Love” has been covered by several artists, including Bryan Adams and Sheryl Crow.
10. In what year was Tina Turner inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Tina Turner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
11. Has Tina Turner retired from music?
Yes, in 2013, Tina Turner officially retired from music.
12. What is Tina Turner’s legacy in the music industry?
Tina Turner is widely considered one of the greatest female performers in the history of music. She has sold over 100 million records worldwide and has won multiple Grammys and other music industry awards. Her high-energy performances and powerful vocals have inspired countless artists around the world.
