Love is the law

In 'Love is the Law,' Pet Shop Boys delve into the complexities and inevitabilities of love, portraying it as an omnipresent force that governs human behavior. The lyrics suggest that love is an ever-changing, unpredictable phenomenon, likened to a profession that one must master. The metaphor of love as a 'profession' implies that it requires skill, dedication, and perhaps a bit of cunning to navigate successfully. The imagery of love 'ebbing and flowing' and being something that 'no one is immune' to, underscores its universal and uncontrollable nature.

The chorus emphasizes the idea that love is a law that must be obeyed, regardless of the cost. This notion is reinforced by the repeated lines about the 'busy trade' and the 'price' that is paid daily. The song suggests that love, much like a business transaction, involves a constant exchange and negotiation. The reference to 'wiser lips' and the idea that love is 'as old as time' further highlight its timeless and unchanging influence on human life. The lyrics also touch on the darker aspects of love, describing it as a 'trick of the trade' and associating it with crime and deceit.

The song also explores the idea that love cannot be regulated or moderated, despite its powerful hold over people. The lines 'you can't regulate it' and 'the desire is so strong' suggest that love operates outside the bounds of societal rules and norms. The mention of gamblers and thieves making love 'easy' adds a layer of complexity, indicating that love can be both liberating and morally ambiguous. Ultimately, 'Love is the Law' presents love as an all-encompassing, inescapable force that shapes human existence in profound and often contradictory ways.