The song "Love Before Romance" by The Undertones focuses on the emotional and psychological impact of a relationship on the narrator. In this context, being "sent underground" refers to feeling pushed down emotionally or mentally, as well as feeling isolated or disconnected from others. It symbolizes a sense of being overwhelmed and burdened by the strains and difficulties of the relationship. The lyrics reflect the narrator's longing for love and affection while questioning the absence of it. The repeated line "Where's the love" highlights the frustration and yearning for emotional connection that seems to be lacking in the relationship. The line "I'm wholly high in the darkest night, when suddenly I have to stop" suggests that the narrator finds solace or escape from their troubles in a certain state, possibly alluding to being under the influence of something. However, the person they're involved with disrupts this temporary relief, which causes them to be sent "underground." The phrase "With the habits that she makes me drop" implies that the narrator is being influenced or pressured by their partner to give up certain behaviors or habits that they might have found comfort or familiarity in. This further adds to the feeling of being controlled or constrained in the relationship. Overall, "Love Before Romance" portrays a sense of frustration, longing, and confusion about the lack of love and closeness in a relationship, and the negative impact it has on the narrator's emotional well-being.
