Story Behind The Song
It's as old as humanity, but with a fresh perspective.
Song Description
As one person is preparing to leave or break off a relationship, the speaker attempts to reason with him/her.
The song's three verses each describe a variety of facets of the relationship that make it a good love. Each verse ends with the same statement: "I don't want you to go; I don't need you to stay; but why throw a good love away?" The speaker feels just as frustrated as the person initiating the breakup, and expresses a common and and honest feeling in this tense situation -- I don't NEED you to stay, but why throw a good love away?
The bridge answers the song's rhetorical question with another: "Why shouldn't we try again?"
| Song Length |
3:54 |
Genre |
Folk - Country |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Diplomatic, Gracious |
Subject |
Breaking Up, Making Up |
| Similar Artists |
Amy Grant, The Eagles |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
We've had it hard -- I won't deny that it's true.
You've had it with me, I know, I've had it with you.
But you're not the kind to take the easy way out.
I wouldn't have loved you if I had any doubt.
I don't want you to go. I don't need you to stay.
But why throw a good love away?
But why throw a good love away?
You're always the one to make me laugh when I'm down.
You can sell me a smile when I'm content with a frown.
And you can't pretend you're thinking I don't play fair.
'Cause when you need a shoulder, baby, I'm always there.
I don't want you to go. I don't need you to stay.
But why throw a good love away?
But why throw a good love away?
I can tell you my troubles and believe that you heard.
We can sit for an hour without saying a word.
We didn't turn out like you had hoped we would be.
But you've got to admit you still feel something for me.
I don't want you to go. I don't need you to stay.
But why throw a good love away?
But why throw a good love away?
We've both said words
We don't want to take back.
And we've both forgiven
More than we can keep track.
But I love you the same
As I loved you back then,
So why shouldn't we try again?
I don't want you to go.
I don't need you to stay.
But why throw a good love away?
But why throw a good love
A perfectly good love
Oh why throw a good love away?
Why throw a good love away?