Another long and sleepless night
You need someone to hold you tight
Sometimes love don’t know wrong from right
Another long and senseless
Fight was all you knew they’re all the same
There’s no one left to take the blame
What’s behind this masquerade
How do we win these losing
Games we play, words we say
Cutting wounds we know they run so deep
Leave it all behind you
Or someday love will find you
Only lonely, I can’t stop hurting you
Only lonely, but I can’t stop loving you
Only lonely, how much pain does it take?
It’s getting sometimes I don’t know
When to stop when to go
Sometimes we’re so afraid to let it show
A stolen kiss so out of place
It wipes the smile right off your face
And when those feelings start
We let them go, let them go
Games we play, words we say
Cutting wounds that run so deep
Leave it all behind you
Or someday love will find you
Only lonely, I can’t stop hurting you
Only lonely, but I can’t stop loving you
Only lonely, so tell me babe, how much pain
Can you take before your heart breaks?
I got this time bomb ticking in my head
This time I think she’s gonna blow
How can I say get away
When I just can’t let go
Games we play, words we say
Cutting wounds that run so
Leave it all behind you
Or someday love will find you
Only lonely, I can’t stop hurting you
Only lonely, but I can’t stop loving you
Only lonely, so tell me babe, how much pain
Can you take before your heart breaks?
Exploring the Pain of Love in “Only Lonely”
Bon Jovi’s “Only Lonely” dives into the emotional turmoil of a relationship stuck in a cycle of pain and longing. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of two people who, despite mutual hurt, are unable to let go. Lines like “I can’t stop hurting you / Only lonely, but I can’t stop loving you” capture the paradox of loving someone while knowing that staying together causes both parties pain. The recurring themes—sleepless nights, senseless fights, and fear of vulnerability—highlight the universal struggle of trying to break free from destructive patterns, yet clinging to hope that love might still prevail. The song’s raw vulnerability resonates with anyone who has experienced heartache and the difficulty of moving on.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, Richie Sambora
Release Year: 1985
Label: PolyGram