"Love's Gone Bad" is a song by the Jackson 5, released in 1972. The song explores the emotions and experiences of heartbreak and the aftermath of a failed relationship. The lyrics convey a sense of despair, sadness, and bitterness caused by the loss of love. The song begins with the narrator describing the physical sensation of a fountain flowing in their brain, a metaphor for the overwhelming thoughts and emotions they are experiencing. The ice-cold water represents the pain and the bad taste in their mouth symbolizes the bitter tears they have shed. The narrator reminisces about their past love, mentioning a rainbow in black, which suggests that they had hope for the relationship but now realize that their partner is not coming back. They experience sleepless nights, constantly yearning for their loved one and even seeing their face in the window pane. The lyrics express the emptiness and desperation the narrator feels since their love has gone bad. The chorus reinforces the feelings of sadness and loss, emphasizing that the absence of love is affecting their ability to move on. They seem to be constantly choosing partners who do not reciprocate their love, leading to more heartbreak and disappointment. The bridge of the song reminds the narrator of the broken promises made by their ex-partner, leaving them feeling betrayed and foolish for believing in their love. The lyrics also reference the signs and symbols in the world that seem to indicate their destiny of being without love. The song portrays a sense of desperation and frustration, as the narrator laments their inability to find lasting love and the pain caused by previous failed relationships. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the sadness and longing, highlighting the dark emotions that arise from love gone bad. Overall, "Love's Gone Bad" is a poignant song that reflects the sorrow and heartache caused by the end of a relationship, portraying the feelings of loss, disappointment, and the struggle to move on.
