I should have seen it coming when roses died
Should have seen the end of summer in your eyes
I should have listened when you said good night
You really meant good bye
Baby, ain’t it funny how we never ever learn to fall?
You’re really on your knees, when you think you’re standing tall
But only fools are “know-it-alls” and I played that fool for you
I cried and I cried
There were nights that I died for you baby
I tried and I tried to deny your love drove me crazy, baby
If the love that I’ve got for you is gone
And if the river I’ve cried ain’t that long
Then I’m wrong, yeah I’m wrong, this ain’t a love song
Baby, I thought you and me would stand the test of time
Like we got away with the perfect crime
But we were just a legend in my mind
I guess that I was blind
Remember those nights dancing at the masquerade
The clowns wore smiles that wouldn’t fade
But you and I were the renegades, some things never change
It made me so mad ’cause I wanted it bad for us baby
And now it’s so sad that whatever we had, ain’t worth saving
If the love that I’ve got for you is gone
And if the river I’ve cried ain’t that long
Then I’m wrong, yeah, I’m wrong, this ain’t a love song
If the pain that I’m feeling so strong
Is the reason I’m holding on
Then I’m wrong, yeah I’m wrong – this ain’t a love song
I cried and I cried
There were nights that I died for you baby
I tried and I tried to deny your love drove me crazy
If the love that I’ve got for you is gone
And if the river I’ve cried ain’t that long
Then I’m wrong, yeah I’m wrong – this ain’t a love song
If the pain that I’m feeling so strong
Is the reason I’m holding on
Then I’m wrong, yeah I’m wrong – this ain’t a love song
If the pain that I’m feeling so strong
Is the reason I’m holding on
Then I’m wrong, yeah I’m wrong – this ain’t a love song
Yes, I’m wrong, yeah, I’m wrong – this ain’t a love song
Yes, I’m wrong, yeah, I’m wrong – this ain’t a love song
Yes, I’m wrong, yeah, I’m wrong – this ain’t a love song
Heartbreak and Self-Realization in “This Ain’t A Love Song”
Bon Jovi’s “This Ain’t A Love Song” delivers a heartfelt narrative about the aftermath of a failed relationship. The lyrics capture the pain and denial that often follow a breakup, with vivid imagery like “when roses died” and “the end of summer in your eyes” symbolizing lost love and fading hope. The protagonist reflects on missed signs and the emotional turmoil of holding on to something that’s already gone. The song’s refrain, “If the love that I’ve got for you is gone…this ain’t a love song,” emphasizes the struggle to move on and the realization that what remains is not true love but lingering pain. Through passionate vocals and evocative storytelling, Bon Jovi explores the universal experience of heartbreak and coming to terms with reality.
Song Credits
- Artist: Bon Jovi
- Songwriters: Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Desmond Child
- Release Year: 1995
- Label: Mercury Records