Song Meaning
Jad Fair's "Love Love" is either the most sincere expression of uncomplicated adoration ever committed to tape, or a masterclass in deadpan irony. The lyrics, stripped down to their absolute essence, present a portrait of someone utterly smitten, intoxicated by a lover's "style" and "grace." The repetition of these qualities, bordering on mantra-like, suggests a childlike fascination, a wide-eyed wonder at the sheer perfection of the object of affection. Fair's almost awkward declaration of liking "it all," spelled out for emphasis, only reinforces this sense of naive infatuation. But is it *too* simple?
The question mark hovers because Fair, a celebrated figure in the world of outsider music, rarely operates on a single, easily digestible level. "Love Love" could be a genuine celebration of uncomplicated joy, a refreshing antidote to the cynical posturing that dominates much of popular music. In that reading, the almost cartoonish simplicity becomes a strength, a testament to the disarming power of pure, unadulterated affection. The declaration that "this is our time to begin to win" takes on an optimistic, almost utopian feel, suggesting love as a force for positive change.
Alternatively, the song's persistent simplicity can be viewed as a commentary on the often-hollow pronouncements of love in popular culture. Is Fair subtly mocking the way love is often reduced to superficial attributes like "style" and "grace"? Is the incessant repetition a way of highlighting the emptiness of such pronouncements when divorced from genuine emotional depth? The line between sincerity and satire blurs, leaving the listener to decide whether "Love Love" is a genuine expression of affection or a pointed critique of its commodification. Either way, it's a fascinating, deceptively complex exploration of the most fundamental of human emotions.