# What do these lyrics mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 7, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354 "2008-04-07T18:14:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/1 "2008-04-07T18:14:59Z")
Snipped from Rod Stewart’s _Reason to Believe_: "Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried Still I look to find a reason to believe Someone like you makes it hard to live without somebody else Someone like you makes it easy to give never think about myself" Does he want to believe she still loves him even though she lied while he cried? Then why does someone like her make it hard to live without _somebody else_? Wouldn’t it be hard to live _with_\* somebody else? Why is it easy to give and never think about himself? Didn’t she just hurt him terribly? It’s just confusing. Has been for years. Thanks for your thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![Glassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Glassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glassy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/2 "2008-04-07T18:29:32Z")
I’m thinking she’s a troublesome woman. ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/3 "2008-04-07T18:37:35Z")
[QUOTE=Dolores Reborn] Does he want to believe she still loves him even though she lied while he cried? Then why does someone like her make it hard to live without _somebody else_? Wouldn’t it be hard to live _with_\* somebody else? [/QUOTE] My interpretation: “Somebody else” does not refer to a third person, i.e. another woman the narrator might love, different from the one he’s crying for; it means that since the day he fell in love with her, he has not been able to live alone, without somebody at his side, because he has known how it used to be with someone to love (presumably her, whom he is crying for). Then again, I’m not a native speaker, so it’s possible that “somebody else” would not be used in that sense. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/4 "2008-04-07T18:37:41Z")
Just wanted to say it’s not Rod Stewart’s song. [Tim Hardin](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7udMfcuNxA) wrote it. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/5 "2008-04-07T19:59:11Z")
I’ve noticed if you analyze many songs like this, you’ll find similar contradictions. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/6 "2008-04-07T20:04:24Z")
Thanks **Liberal** , I was too lazy to look up the songwriter… I guess you’re right, **Schnitte** - but still. It sounds goofy. ---
**Author:** ![Lunar\_Saltlick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/977dab/32.png) [@Lunar\_Saltlick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lunar_Saltlick)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/7 "2008-04-07T20:22:13Z")
[QUOTE=Schnitte] My interpretation: “Somebody else” does not refer to a third person, i.e. another woman the narrator might love, different from the one he’s crying for; it means that since the day he fell in love with her, he has not been able to live alone, without somebody at his side, because he has known how it used to be with someone to love (presumably her, whom he is crying for). Then again, I’m not a native speaker, so it’s possible that “somebody else” would not be used in that sense. [/QUOTE] Sometimes it takes a non-native speaker not to be fooled by the subtle wordplay of clever chaps like Stewart and Hardin. Trouble is, you only did half the job! Get back in there and figure out why it’s easy to give to someone who lies straight-faced while you cry, never thinking about yourself. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/8 "2008-04-07T21:03:40Z")
Whipped, and used to it, is my diagnosis. ---
**Author:** ![Glassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Glassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glassy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/9 "2008-04-07T23:26:15Z")
If we’re quite done with “Reason to Believe,” can someone explain why we must leave Virginia alone? And in what way is she not like you and me? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/10 "2008-04-08T00:13:28Z")
> [@](#): > > "Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried > Still I look to find a reason to believe Even though you’re a liar I love you so much that I’ll fool myself into believing you the next time. > [@](#): > > Someone like you makes it hard to live without > somebody else The best times with you were so good I can’t stand the idea of living without a lover. > [@](#): > > Someone like you makes it easy to give > never think about myself You sucked me dry (in a BAD way) and I hardly even noticed. ie., I gave everything I had to you thinking you would do the same for me, but you just tossed me away when I had no more to give, and I SHOULD have thought about myself at least a little. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/11 "2008-04-08T00:28:22Z")
[QUOTE=Glassy] If we’re quite done with “Reason to Believe,” can someone explain why we must leave Virginia alone? And in what way is she not like you and me? [/QUOTE] Virginia is a commonwealth not a State. :: d&r :: ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/12 "2008-04-08T00:41:09Z")
I think **Boyo Jim** has nailed it. It’s a song about a guy who’s ready for more abuse. Like that mid-90s era song _Self-Esteem_ by Offspring puts it rather more directly: > [@](#): > > Well I guess, I should stick up for myself > But I really think it’s better this way > The more you suffer, > The more it shows you really care As for me, I think _Reason To Believe_ should always be played back to back with his song _Hot Legs_, just for the contrast (both musically and lyrically). ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/13 "2008-04-08T11:31:32Z")
[QUOTE=Boyo Jim] Even though you’re a liar I love you so much that I’ll fool myself into believing you the next time. The best times with you were so good I can’t stand the idea of living without a lover. You sucked me dry (in a BAD way) and I hardly even noticed. ie., I gave everything I had to you thinking you would do the same for me, but you just tossed me away when I had no more to give, and I SHOULD have thought about myself at least a little. [/QUOTE] Very good! ---
**Author:** ![chocolatefrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@chocolatefrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chocolatefrog)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/14 "2008-04-08T13:52:40Z")
I can’t believe you lied to me! I can’t live without you! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/15 "2008-04-08T20:58:25Z")
[QUOTE=Dolores Reborn] Very good! [/QUOTE] It’s a little disconcerting to realize I’m the Dope’s premiere Rod Stewart interpreter. ---
**Author:** ![iq100](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dc4da7/32.png) [@iq100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iq100)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/16 "2010-12-11T23:08:43Z")
Old mysteries and threads can take years to unravel! The meaning has to do with searching for a reason to believe, that includes not only the open good deeds of others, but their lies and deliberate obfuscations as well. The solution is to understand the positive reason behind the lie. Only death does not provide for a positive birth of new life. At least here on earth. The sequel to the song should explain why it was necessary to lie in the first place, and form the basis for a stronger love. iq100 the best way to delete an idea is to post one of your own. > [@Rebo](#): > > Snipped from Rod Stewart’s _Reason to Believe_: > "Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried > Still I look to find a reason to believe > > Someone like you makes it hard to live without > somebody else > Someone like you makes it easy to give > never think about myself" > > Does he want to believe she still loves him even though she lied while he cried? Then why does someone like her make it hard to live without _somebody else_? Wouldn’t it be hard to live _with_\* somebody else? > > Why is it easy to give and never think about himself? Didn’t she just hurt him terribly? > > It’s just confusing. Has been for years. > Thanks for your thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/17 "2010-12-12T00:51:55Z")
> [@iq100](#): > > Old mysteries and threads can take years to unravel! > The meaning has to do with searching for a reason to believe, that includes not only the open good deeds of others, but their lies and deliberate obfuscations as well. > > The solution is to understand the positive reason behind the lie. > Only death does not provide for a positive birth of new life. > At least here on earth. > The sequel to the song should explain why it was necessary to lie in the first place, and form the basis for a stronger love. > iq100 > the best way to delete an idea is to post one of your own. **kanicbird**? ---
**Author:** ![DrJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@DrJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/18 "2016-01-08T23:41:46Z")
I think you all have set a good understanding thus far. Two things to add: First, the title of the song. It is not, “someone Like You” as one might expect. No. It is “Reason to believe.” An odd title to say the least. Why call it that instead of the much more catchy, lyrical “Someone Like You.”…I mean, it is a love song, right. The problem is exactly with this “Somone” who is like the way she is…assuming the singer is male and his love is female. Ok…so what to think of that? He loves her, that is clear. First two lines…if I listened long enough to you, I’d find a reason to believe that it’s all true." We believe the ones we love. Until so much too late often. So, that the title of the song is Reason to believe, screams to us that there is reason not to believe…though he admits he doesn’t see it…and if he starts to see it, he is only one long talk with her from believing again. He Wants to believe her!!! Even with her now clear lies, that she doesn’t confess even though he cries (sounds like he says cry, not Cried, as we might expect!)…causes him great anguish. She doesn’t care a flip. He sees it. And yet, "Still I look for a reason to…to what…to believe. " Why? That would keep he and she and the love (based a lot on trust) alive and together…he still looks for a reason to believe. It’s the name of the song. It is the point of the song. He has reason to not believe…he looks for a reason to believe. And apparently, no reason will be forth coming. SLY = Someone Like You. But here is the second thing. The chorus lines. The memorable part of the song…and the reason we don’t pick up on the first thing very well. It is oddly worded to us. And maybe time and country hasn’t helped us undrrstand. I agree with one post earlier post that the line, “someone like you, makes it hard to live without sombody else” to me it almost sounds backward…it is suppose to be a compliment, parallel to the second line “SLY makes it easy to give, and never think about myself. " both are compliments. Second one is easier…it means that this lady is so wonderful (in what ways we are not told due to the problems now at hand) that all he thinks about is pleasing her. What a great, great love! He doesn’t think about himself. It’s like the old song, Byou are everything and everything is you.” And if you haven’t had a love like that, you haven’t lived long enough. 🙂 so he loves, loves loves her. So the first line of chorus (as stayed by another) is "SLY makes it hard to live without somebody…any somebody. …else that will be as wonderful as my love for you. To leave her will place him in an empty void. It is so empty he cannot imagine it. And she is so wonderful (aside from this tragic new understanding of her real character) that he cannot stand to think of living in the void of emptiness again. He can’t leave her…not without someone equally as wonderful. Both strong compliments…sad, because they are based on a misunderstanding of her, we know. But what was my second point? The chorus line changes. I’m shocked how few people notice it. The chorus lines are sung twice…after a long musical thinking period…he sings the chorus agsin, but he changes the words! Why? see, we after that first part of the song, we are left to wonder…will he leave? Or will he stay because of love? Or will she just talk him into staying as he fears? Musical bridge and we are dropped directly into the new chorus…which now sings: SLY makes it EASY to live without somebody else. What?! He changes it?!! Now it has become easy to go? Why? Knowing… you know the lyrics. Do Back To The Chorus. Look again. SLY makes it EASY to live without somebody else. SLY makes it HARD to give and never think about myself. (When someone harms you greatly, you self protect…now it is clear. He can’t keep giving to her. And further, leaving will be somewhat easier when he can recall her true character. Got it? Now he is leaving. Now it is easy. Why? Knowing that you lied…not in some silly unimportant way…knowing that you lied STRAIGHT-FACED while I CRY. It’s the lie, with no remorse, no reaction to it, though she sees him totally destroyed over it. It demonstrates zero care. And after our musical interlude, he sees it for what it is. He changes the chorus lyrics and determines to live without her. Done? Not quite. Repeat opening lines eaxctly. He doesn’t quite trust himself. Recall his cunundrum? He loves her and can’t live in the emptiness of the loss of this love…so even though he is leaving he still “looks for a reason to believe.” The mornful loneliness sets in. Blues at its best. ---
**Author:** ![Bleachbum69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9f8e36/32.png) [@Bleachbum69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bleachbum69)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-lyrics-mean/444354/19 "2026-03-31T00:35:39Z")
Someone like you makes it hard to live without, somebody else. If you’ve been there, you know. You need someone else besides the person the song is about, to remind you of the truth you don’t want to admit. To bring you back to reality and your self worth. It’s easy to get lost in someone who’s so charming you want to believe in them and the love they once had for you, even though you know they have lied straight to your face while you cried. These people are easy to love, likeable. They used to call them rakes. We call them narcissists. This song is a sad look at the end of the road, knowing what you thought you had, you never did, but not wanting to let go of that love. As my mother in law used to say: THAT AIN’T LOVE!