This Thing Called Love

Song Meaning

Gary Moore's "This Thing Called Love" pulses with a raw, almost predatory energy, dissecting the mechanics of desire with a bluesman's directness. The song avoids romantic platitudes, instead focusing on a visceral, immediate attraction. Moore isn't singing about a soulmate; he's fixated on a figure he encounters, drawn in by her physical presence and perceived confidence. The lyrics, with lines like "You look good enough to eat," reduce the interaction to a base level, highlighting the objectification inherent in the initial stages of lust. It's less about genuine connection and more about the intoxicating power someone wields simply by existing in a certain way. This is not necessarily celebratory; it's an observation of a primal urge. The repetition of "This thing called love" almost sounds sarcastic, as if Moore is both acknowledging and questioning the validity of such a superficial impulse. The lyrics paint a picture of a calculated allure. The woman is "dressed to kill," and she's "holdin' big time," suggesting a deliberate performance of desirability. Moore, on the other hand, is "loaded up" and has her "lined up in [his] sights," casting their encounter as a pursuit. There's a transactional feeling to the lyrics, hinting at a potential power dynamic where both parties are aware of the game being played. The bluesy guitar riffs and Moore's gravelly vocals further emphasize the song's earthiness, stripping away any pretense of innocence. It’s lust, pure and simple, masquerading under the banner of "this thing called love." Ultimately, the song meaning of "This Thing Called Love" lies in its unflinching portrayal of primal attraction. Moore doesn't offer any moral judgment, but he lays bare the mechanics of desire, exposing the hunger and the sometimes-uncomfortable realities of attraction. It's a bluesy exploration of the space between initial infatuation and genuine affection, a space often filled with objectification, projection, and the raw power of physical presence. He captures a moment of intense, almost animalistic, awareness, and leaves the listener to grapple with the implications.