Love To Love

Neil Diamond's song 'Love To Love' delves into the complexities and paradoxes of unrequited love. The lyrics explore the idea that love is a reciprocal emotion that needs mutual affection to flourish. Diamond begins by stating a commonly held belief: love needs to be nurtured and reciprocated to grow. This sets the stage for the central conflict of the song, where the protagonist finds himself in a one-sided love affair, receiving nothing but coldness in return.

The chorus, 'They say you need love to love, you gotta have love to love,' underscores the societal wisdom that love begets love. However, the protagonist questions this notion, asking, 'But if it's true, why do I love you?' This rhetorical question highlights the emotional turmoil and confusion experienced when love is not returned. The protagonist's love persists despite the lack of reciprocation, challenging the conventional wisdom about love's reciprocal nature.

In the second verse, Diamond paints a picture of emotional struggle, where the protagonist feels that their partner is intentionally causing pain. The line 'Seems like you keep tryin' to break me' suggests a relationship fraught with emotional manipulation. Despite this, the protagonist's love remains steadfast, further complicating the idea that love needs mutual affection to survive. The song poignantly captures the essence of unrequited love, where the heart defies logic and societal norms, continuing to love even in the face of indifference and emotional pain.