Someone To Love was the last song written for the Four Letter Word album and
really turned out to be a key part of the project. The character in the song
is your quintessential rough and tumble guy who is no stranger to a fist
fight. He's probably your typical leading role in any given 1980's action
film.. Bruce Willis, maybe? He ends his day in a dark, hole-in-the-wall bar,
drinking whiskey. This is set up in the first half of each verse: "I want a
fast car, I need a moving train, I need something to get my mind off
things." and "I want a smoke filled bar, I need the lights down low, I need
a song playing that no one knows." His relationship with women would
certainly fit the stereotype as well.. "I need an angel to spread her wings
and wrap her love round me." and "I need a stranger to come in close, don't
tell me how it feels". Clearly, he has no interest in long lasting, deep and
meaningful companionship. On a side note, the driving guitars and up-tempo
structure lends to setting the character as well. Maybe the type of song the
character would actually listen to or the song playing on the jukebox in the
bar.
Two-thirds of the song continues down that path with interruptions of
"Everybody Needs Someone To Love" dispersed. Then things take a turn in the
bridge. There's a completely different tone from the character. The language
is even different. "Promise me this my dear, when it all goes down you'll be
right here. When the lights go out, when they call my name. When the city's
black and we're up in flames. You'll love me like somebody, you'll love me
like some stranger, you'll love me like a fast car, like a moving train,
just something to keep my mind off things. Oh come on angel. Spread your
wings and wrap your love around me." Speaking of a specific individual and
obviously looking for something deeper and more significant. This is a far
cry from "I don't need your sympathies, I don't need your tears.." and "I
don't need your expectations, I don't have that fear". He's way more
vulnerable than before. There's also nearly a sense of panic or desperation.
As if, when things are at their worst, that's when he realizes this need.
The need for someone to love. Maybe not you're typical love song, but that's
kind of the point.
Click here to see Stephen's performance of "Someone To Love"
