Modern Love
Tina Turner & David Bowie Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴I know when to go out
Know when to stay in
Get things done

I catch a paper boy
But things don't really change
I'm standing in the wind
But I never wave bye-bye

But I try, I try
There's no sign of life
It's just the power to charm
I'm lying in the rain
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try, I try
Never gonna fall for

(Modern love) walks beside me
(Modern love) walks on by
(Modern love) gets me to the church on time
(Church on time) terrifies me
(Church on time) makes me party
(Church on time) puts my trust in God and man
(God and man) no confession
(God and man) no religion
(God and man) don't believe in modern love

It's not really work
It's just the power to charm
I'm still standing in the wind
But I never wave bye bye
But I try, I try
Never gonna fall for

(Modern love) walks beside me
(Modern love) walks on by
(Modern love) gets me to the church on time
(Church on time) terrifies me
(Church on time) makes me party
(Church on time) puts my trust in God and man
(God and man) no confession
(God and man) no religion
(God and man) don't believe in modern love

(Modern love) walks beside me
(Modern love) walks on by
(Modern love) gets me to the church on time
(Church on time) terrifies me
(Church on time) makes me party
(Church on time) puts my trust in God and man
(God and man) no confession
(God and man) no religion
(God and man) I don't believe in modern love

Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
(Modern love)
(Modern love)
(Modern love)
(Modern love)
Modern love, walks beside me
(Modern love)
Modern love, walks on by
(Modern love)
Modern love, walks beside me
(Modern love)
Modern love, walks on by
(Modern love)
Never gonna fall for

(Modern love)
(Modern love)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tina Turner and David Bowie's song "Modern Love" describe the struggle of living in a world where society is changing rapidly, and the traditional values and beliefs are being shaken to their core. The first verse of the song depicts the singer's ability to adapt to the changing times, by knowing when to go out and when to stay in and get things done. However, despite this ability, the second verse reveals the singer's feelings of loneliness and isolation, standing in the wind and lying in the rain, without a sign of life. The power to charm, the singer realizes, is not enough to fill the void of human connection.

The chorus of the song shows the singer's conflicting feelings towards modern love. While it can get him to the church on time and make him party, it also terrifies him, and he puts his trust in God and man instead of relying on modern love. He does not believe in modern love, as he sees it as a fleeting and superficial feeling that cannot sustain a meaningful connection. The repetition of "Modern love walks beside me, Modern love walks on by" suggests that the singer is constantly struggling with his relationship with modern love, as it continues to affect his life in various ways, but he remains uncertain of its true value.

Line by Line Meaning

I know when to go out
I am aware of when to leave my comfort zone

Know when to stay in
I am aware of when to stay grounded

Get things done
I am productive and efficient

I catch a paper boy
I am aware of the details in my surroundings

But things don't really change
I feel like my life is stagnant

I'm standing in the wind
I feel uncertain, like I am being thrown around

But I never wave bye-bye
I don't give up, even when things are rough

But I try, I try
I keep pushing forward, even when there are obstacles in my way

There's no sign of life
I feel like there is no excitement or growth in my life

It's just the power to charm
I rely on my charismatic personality to get by

I'm lying in the rain
I am feeling down and discouraged

Never gonna fall for
I won't be taken in by

(Modern love) walks beside me
My interpretation of love is contemporary and current, and always with me

(Modern love) walks on by
Modern love is fleeting, always leaving me behind

(Modern love) gets me to the church on time
My modern interpretation of love motivates me to be punctual and responsible

(Church on time) terrifies me
The responsibility and commitment of marriage makes me nervous

(Church on time) makes me party
Marriage is a cause for celebration

(Church on time) puts my trust in God and man
Marriage requires trust in both your partner and a higher power

(God and man) no confession
I don't believe in seeking forgiveness for my actions

(God and man) no religion
I do not adhere to any particular religion

(God and man) don't believe in modern love
I don't believe that modern love is a sufficient motivator for religious/spiritual beliefs

It's not really work
It's easy and fun

Never gonna fall for
I won't be fooled by modern love

Modern love (modern love)
My understanding of love is current and contemporary

Never gonna fall for
I won't be taken in by

Modern love
I am disillusioned with the concept of modern love

walks beside me
My understanding of love is constantly with me

walks on by
Modern love can be fleeting

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Bowie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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