Who Do You Love

Bo Diddley's 'Who Do You Love' is a vivid and surreal journey through a landscape filled with dark and fantastical imagery. The song opens with the protagonist boasting about his extraordinary feats and possessions, such as walking 47 miles of barbed wire and using a cobra snake for a necktie. These hyperbolic statements set the tone for a character who is larger than life, almost mythical in his bravado and fearlessness. The use of rattlesnake hide for a house and a human skull for a chimney further adds to the macabre and otherworldly atmosphere, suggesting a man who is not bound by the ordinary rules of society or nature.

The recurring question, 'Who do you love?' serves as a refrain that punctuates the song, creating a sense of urgency and mystery. It’s as if the protagonist is challenging Arlene, and perhaps the listener, to confront their deepest fears and desires. The line 'I've got a tombstone hand and a graveyard mind, I'm just twenty-two and I don't mind dyin'' reveals a character who is not only unafraid of death but seems to embrace it. This adds a layer of existential recklessness to the song, making it a powerful exploration of life, death, and the choices we make.

The narrative takes a turn when Arlene, the woman being addressed, finally responds. Her understanding and acceptance of the protagonist's dark and wild nature ('Ooo-eee Bo, I understand') bring a sense of resolution to the song. It suggests a bond that transcends the ordinary, rooted in a mutual recognition of each other's true selves. Bo Diddley's raw and rhythmic delivery, combined with the song's haunting imagery, makes 'Who Do You Love' a timeless piece that delves into the human psyche's darker corners, exploring themes of love, fear, and identity.