Def Leppard - [Disc 1] 04 Love Bites

Track # 4: Love Bites

"Love Bites" is a power ballad recorded by British rock band Def Leppard in 1987 on the album Hysteria. It is Def Leppard's only number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 to date.

T
he title "Love Bites" was originally used for a very different song that was eventually re-titled "I Wanna Be Your Hero", and which appeared as a Hysteria B-side an

d later on the album Retro Active.

Following the huge momentum generated by "Pour Some Sugar on Me", the song was released in August of 1988 and quickly shot to the top of the U.S. charts, dethroning Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry Be Happy". It stayed there for one week before giving up the position to UB40's "Red Red Wine". The song also hit number eleven in the UK (their second best showing from the album).

"Love Bites" was ranked #8 on the list of "VH1's 25 Greatest Power Ballads" and #52 on the list of "VH1's 100 Greatest Love Songs".
An urban legend about the song concerns the final seconds. After the line "If you've got love in your sights, watch out, love bites", what is seemingly heard is "Jesus of Nazareth, go to Hell". This rumour has been denied by the band, most notably on a Hysteria documentary. The line is in fact producer Mutt Lange rambling in a Yorkshire accent, to the effect of "Yes it does, bloody Hell", with the aid of a vocoder.

Lyrics:

"If you've got love in your sights
Watch out, love bites"

When you make love, do you look in the mirror?
Who do you think of, does he look like me?
Do you tell lies and say that it's forever?
Do you think twice, or just touch 'n' see?
Ooh babe ooh yeah

When you're alone, do you let go?
Are you wild 'n' willin' or is it just for show?
Ooh c'mon

I don't wanna touch you too much baby
'Cos making love to you might drive me crazy
I know you think that love is the way you make it
So I don't wanna be there when you decide to break it
No!

Love bites, love bleeds
It's bringin' me to my knees
Love lives, love dies
It's no surprise
Love begs, love pleads
It's what I need

When I'm with you are you somewhere else?
Am I gettin' thru or do you please yourself?
When you wake up will you walk out?
It can't be love if you throw it about
Ooh babe

I don't wanna touch you too much baby
'Cos making love to you might drive me crazy

[Repeat Chorus]

[guitar solo]

Ooh yeah

[Repeat Bridge]

Love bites, love bleeds
It's bringin' me to my knees
Love lives, love dies

[Repeat Chorus]

"If you've got love in your sights
Watch out, love bites"
"Yes it does"
"It will be hell"

Category:

Music

Tags:

• edition
• Def
• Leppard
• Hysteria
• Deluxe
• Love
• Bites
• special
• watch
• out
• mirror
• lies
• Hysteria (Def Leppard Album)
• Love Bites (song)