Love To Be Loved

Album: Us (1992)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Gabriel came up with the lyrics based on some phrases he had kicking around: "Like to be liked, need to be needed, want to be wanted and love to be loved."
  • The lyrics are about Gabriel's fear of dedicating himself to his relationships. He dedicated Us to his ex-wife, Jill, his 2 daughters, and actress Rosanna Arquette, who he was involved with in the early '90s.
  • At the end of the song, Gabriel details how he spent significant time in therapy, which he considered money well spent.

Comments: 2

  • AnonymousThis song is about codependent personality disorder without question in every way.
  • Brad from Chicago, IlEvidently there was also a love tryst with (or Peter's unrequited love for, depending on what you read) singer Sinead O'Connor. She was the backup singer on many of the US album songs (her voice is much more apparent on the "Clearmountain Remix" of Love to be Loved) and she toured with him for the first half of the Secret World Tour.

    The Secret World video wasn't filmed until Sinead's replacement took over backup singing duties... a then unknown Paula Cole. This video alone brought Paula Cole into the limelight for her debut album and single, "Where have all the Cowboys gone?" Now we wonder, where has ole' Paula gone?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Tomlin

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."