“Stubborn Love” is a popular song by the American folk rock band The Lumineers, released in 2012 as part of their self-titled debut album. The track gained significant attention and became one of the band’s breakthrough hits, helping to establish their signature sound and emotional storytelling style.
The song explores themes of resilient love, forgiveness, and the complexities of romantic relationships. It’s characterized by its heartfelt lyrics, which tell the story of a person deeply in love despite their partner’s flaws and hurtful actions. The narrator grapples with the pain of betrayal while still holding onto hope and affection.
Musically, “Stubborn Love” features The Lumineers’ trademark stripped-down folk sound, with prominent acoustic guitar, stirring vocals, and a memorable chorus. The song’s emotional depth and relatable narrative have resonated with many listeners, contributing to its enduring popularity.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
“Stubborn Love” Lyrics Meaning
Verse 1
She’ll lie and steal and cheat
And beg you from her knees
Make you think she means it this time
She’ll tear a hole in you
The one you can’t repair
But I still love her, I don’t really care
This verse describes a tumultuous relationship with a person who is deceitful and manipulative. Despite her actions that cause emotional pain (“tear a hole in you”), the speaker remains devoted and in love, indicating a deep, perhaps irrational, attachment.
Pre-Chorus
When we were young, oh-oh, we did enough
When it got cold, ooh-ooh, we bundled up
I can’t be told, ah-ah, it can’t be done
The pre-chorus reflects on a past where the speaker and his partner faced challenges together, symbolized by “bundling up” when it got cold. The line “I can’t be told, it can’t be done” suggests a stubborn determination to make the relationship work, despite the odds.
Verse 2
It’s better to feel pain
Than nothing at all
The opposite of love is indifference
So pay attention now
I’m standing on your porch screamin’ out
And I won’t leave until you come downstairs
Here, the speaker expresses the idea that experiencing pain is preferable to feeling nothing, as it signifies that there is still emotion and connection. Indifference, the true opposite of love, is worse. The speaker’s persistence (“standing on your porch screamin’ out”) shows a refusal to give up on the relationship.
Chorus
So keep your head up, keep your love
Keep your head up, my love
Keep your head up, my love
Keep your head up, keep your love
The chorus serves as an encouragement to stay strong and maintain one’s capacity to love, despite the difficulties. It can be interpreted as advice to both the speaker and the partner to remain hopeful and resilient.
Verse 3
And I don’t blame you, dear
For runnin’ like you did all these years
I would do the same, you best believe
And the highway signs say we’re close
But I don’t read those things anymore
I never trusted my own eyes
In this verse, the speaker shows understanding and empathy towards the partner’s decision to leave, acknowledging that he might have done the same. The mention of “highway signs” symbolizes potential directions or solutions, but the speaker admits to ignoring them, indicating a loss of trust in his own judgment.
Outro
Head up, love
Head up, love
Head up, love
Head up, love
The outro reiterates the message of maintaining hope and resilience. The repetition emphasizes the importance of staying strong and keeping faith in love, despite the hardships faced.
Music Video
The music video for The Lumineers’ song “Stubborn Love,” directed by Isaac Ravishankara, offers a visually compelling narrative that complements the emotional depth of the song.
The video centers on a young girl, played by Talula Paulson, who embarks on a road trip with her mother amidst the backdrop of her parents’ divorce. The journey is depicted entirely from the perspective inside the car, capturing the girl’s somber and reflective mood as she witnesses various scenes through the window.
As the car moves from a gray and stormy urban environment to a bright and sunny rural landscape, the girl’s demeanor shifts from sadness to moments of joy and hope. This transition symbolizes the emotional journey from turmoil to resilience, mirroring the song’s themes of enduring love and perseverance.
The video also features a brief appearance by The Lumineers as street performers, adding a layer of connection between the narrative and the band.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Stubborn Love”
“Stubborn Love” by The Lumineers is a poignant exploration of the complexities and resilience of love in the face of adversity. The title reflects a love that persists despite difficulties and pain. The narrator continues to love someone even though they “lie and steal and cheat” and “tear a hole in you.” This demonstrates a stubborn, persistent love that won’t give up.
In the lyrics, The Lumineers portrays a relationship marred by deceit and emotional turmoil, yet the protagonist maintains their affection. This is evident in lines like “She’ll tear a hole in you, the one you can’t repair / But I still love her, I don’t really care”.
The song suggests that experiencing pain is preferable to feeling nothing at all. This is captured in the powerful line, “It’s better to feel pain, than nothing at all / The opposite of love’s indifference”.
The recurring chorus “Keep your head up, keep your love” serves as a mantra for resilience, encouraging listeners to maintain hope even in difficult times.
Overall, the song’s narrative arc moves from acknowledging pain to advocating for hope, mirroring the journey many people experience in challenging relationships. It’s an anthem that resonates with those who have faced the trials of love, encouraging them to hold on to their feelings even when it’s difficult.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.