Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a stark picture of a relationship stuck in a cycle of pointless conflict. The scene is set in an "old hotel" after a movie, a moment that should be intimate but instead highlights a disconnect: "I was moved / You were not moving." This immediate contrast establishes the emotional distance that fuels the central tension.
The core of the song lies in the weary resignation to perpetual arguments. The repeated question, "Do you remember what it's for," underscores the futility of their fights, suggesting they've lost all meaning and purpose. The narrator acknowledges this, admitting, "Can't say you're right then," a sign of exhaustion rather than genuine concession. This leads to the poignant realization, "We're always fighting / Can't remember what it's for."
The most striking element is the juxtaposition of this deep-seated conflict with an enduring, almost unconditional, declaration of love: "I'll always love you." This creates a powerful emotional dissonance. The "Oooh, la la" interludes, while seemingly light, feel like a desperate attempt to inject some simple melody or relief into a situation weighed down by unresolved strife, perhaps even a subconscious plea for harmony.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics comes from their raw honesty about relational fatigue. The narrator isn't seeking resolution but articulating the quiet heartbreak of loving someone through endless, meaningless battles. The simple, almost childlike "Oooh, la la" refrain, placed against the backdrop of such weary conflict, makes the narrator's underlying affection feel both profound and tragically misplaced.