Song Meaning

Richard Hell's "Love Comes In Spurts" isn't a love song; it's a primal scream disguised as punk rock. The song meaning hinges on the jarring contrast between adolescent longing and the brutal reality of emotional experience. Hell paints a picture of youthful naiveté, a craving for a love that is both "wild" and intensely committed, "crazed with devotion." The narrator's declaration of being "fourteen and a half" underscores this vulnerable, almost childlike perspective. The lyrics aren't just about love; they are about the *idea* of love, a romanticized ideal shattered by the messy, often painful truth. The chorus, a repetitive mantra of "Love comes in spurts," punctuated by cries of "Oh no it hurts," becomes the crux of the song's bleak philosophy. This isn't a gentle ache; it's a sharp, stabbing pain, unexpected and unwelcome. The phrase "dangerous flirts" hints at the reckless abandon with which we sometimes pursue connection, blind to the potential for heartbreak. Hell suggests that love, rather than being a constant, nurturing force, is unpredictable and fleeting, arriving in intense bursts that leave us wounded and confused. The latter verses reveal a lingering disillusionment. Even with the "facts" laid bare, the pain of past encounters continues to "cut like an axe." This speaks to the enduring power of early romantic experiences, how they can shape our expectations and leave lasting scars. The repeated assertion that "it murders your heart / They didn't tell you that part" underscores the sense of betrayal. "Love Comes In Spurts" becomes an anthem for the heartbroken, a raw and unflinching exploration of love's darker side. It's not a celebration of romance, but a warning, delivered with the characteristic sneer of punk's most literate poet.