The song "Love Thing" by Jimmy Barnes tells the story of a person who is infatuated with someone and is desperately seeking their love and attention. The protagonist is experiencing intense physical and emotional pain, which they compare to a sickness that cannot be cured by conventional means. The lyrics depict the protagonist visiting a doctor, hoping for a solution to their heartache. They express their inability to sleep, their feverish state, and their struggle to find relief from the pain. Despite trying various remedies and seeking the person they desire, nothing seems to help. The chorus emphasizes the addictive and uncontrollable nature of love. The protagonist sees love as a powerful force that they are unable to resist or find a solution for. They imply that no medical treatment or prescription can alleviate their longing for the person they love. As time passes, the protagonist's situation doesn't improve. They remain distant from the person they desire, unable to bridge the gap between them. They express a sense of emptiness and the inability to find any medical or surgical intervention that will bring them closer to their love interest. The song concludes on a somewhat positive note, suggesting that the protagonist and their love interest have reconciled their differences. However, despite this, the protagonist still longs for their love and feels a constant need to dream about them. They feel a sense of improvement but are still unable to fully recover from the pain caused by their love. Overall, "Love Thing" explores the theme of unrequited love and the powerful hold it can have over a person. It highlights the inability to find a cure or remedy for the intense emotions experienced in matters of the heart.
