The song "She Loves The Jerk" by John Hiatt is about a woman who is trapped in an unhealthy and abusive relationship with a man who mistreats her. The narrator is a close friend of hers who can see that the man she is with is no good for her, but she refuses to let him go. The lyrics depict how the couple constantly argues and cries on the phone, with the woman trying to defend her partner's actions. She is convinced that he would never do anything to hurt her, but the narrator knows that he has wasted precious years of her life. The narrator can only repeat that she married the wrong guy. The chorus repeats that she loves this man, even though she knows deep down that the relationship will never work. The man is described as a "jerk" who is always out seeking attention from other women. The woman had hoped he would change and settle down, but he continues to cheat on her. She is left with the lies, bumps, and bruises caused by his mistreatment. The song ends with the narrator pretending that the woman is in their arms, expressing their longing for her and wishing they could have just a fraction of the love and devotion she gives to the undeserving man. Overall, the song tells the story of a woman who is stuck in an unhealthy relationship with a man who disrespects and hurts her, despite her love for him. It sheds light on the complexities of human relationships, where sometimes love can blind us to the truth and make us stay with someone who does not deserve us.
