A Cry For Love

The Black Heart Procession's song 'A Cry For Love' delves into the complexities and darker aspects of love, portraying it as a double-edged sword. The lyrics suggest that love is not always the idyllic, romantic experience that many envision. Instead, it can be a source of pain, betrayal, and disillusionment. The repeated assertion that 'Love isn't supposed to be this way' highlights a sense of disillusionment and betrayal, suggesting that the narrator's experience of love has been far from ideal.

The song uses vivid metaphors to describe love's darker side. Phrases like 'Love is a poison ring' and 'Love will sting and love will burn' evoke a sense of danger and harm. The idea that 'Love will steal all you've learned' suggests that love can be a consuming force, erasing one's sense of self and previous experiences. The warning not to 'lend it to a friend' because 'you may never see that friend again' underscores the potential for love to cause rifts and separations, further emphasizing its destructive potential.

Despite these dark portrayals, the song also makes a distinction between this harmful love and 'our love,' implying that the narrator believes in a purer, more genuine form of love. This contrast serves to highlight the dual nature of love, capable of both immense joy and profound pain. The recurring theme of being able to 'pick out the fakes' suggests a yearning for authenticity in relationships, a desire to find a love that is true and untainted by deceit or betrayal. The song's haunting melody and the inclusion of a girls' choir singing 'do you hear this cry for love' add to the emotional weight, making 'A Cry For Love' a poignant exploration of love's complexities.