Lyrics: Lay All Your Love On Me
I wasn't jealous before we met Now every woman I see is a potential threat And I'm possessive, it isn't nice You've heard me saying that smoking was my only vice But now it isn't true Now everything is new And all I've learned Has overturned I beg of you... Don't go wasting your emotion Lay all your love on me It was like shooting a sitting duck A little small talk, a smile, and, baby, I was stuck I still don't know what you've done with me A grown-up woman should never fall so easily I feel a kind of fear When I don't have you near Unsatisfied I skip my pride I beg you, dear... Don't go wasting your emotion Lay all your love on me Don't go sharing your devotion Lay all your love on me I've had a few little love affairs They didn't last very long and they've been pretty scarce I used to think that was sensible It makes the truth even more incomprehensible 'Cause everything is new And everything is you And all I've learned Has overturned What can I do? Don't go wasting your emotion Lay all your love on me Don't go sharing your devotion Lay all your love on me Don't go wasting your emotion Lay all your love on me Don't go sharing your devotion Lay all your love on me Don't go wasting your emotion Lay all your love on me
Understanding the Lyrics: Love, Vulnerability, and Devotion
Jealousy and Insecurity: A Newfound Intensity
“Lay All Your Love On Me” captures the emotional turbulence that comes with falling deeply in love. The narrator admits to feelings of jealousy and possessiveness, emotions that surfaced only after meeting their partner. The line, “Now every woman I see is a potential threat,” reflects a candid vulnerability, revealing how love can transform even the most self-assured individuals.
Transformation Through Love
The song explores the theme of personal change. The narrator confesses that their old vices and habits have been replaced by an all-consuming focus on their beloved. “Now everything is new, and all I’ve learned has overturned,” suggests that love has upended their previous worldview, leaving them both exhilarated and apprehensive.
Desire for Exclusivity
A recurring refrain—”Don’t go wasting your emotion, lay all your love on me”—expresses a plea for undivided attention and affection. There is a longing for exclusivity and a fear of losing the emotional connection that now feels essential to the narrator’s happiness. The repetition of this line emphasizes both passion and insecurity.
Confession and Surrender
Through lines like “I skip my pride, I beg you, dear,” the song reveals a willingness to forgo ego in pursuit of love. The narrator is open about past relationships, acknowledging that previous “love affairs” pale in comparison to this current, overwhelming experience. This confession heightens the sense of surrender to love’s power.
Song Credits
“Lay All Your Love On Me” is performed by ABBA. The song was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. It was released in 1980 as part of the album “Super Trouper” under the Polar Music label.