NeedToBreathe - Hard Love Lyrics
Lyrics
Trading punches with the heart of darkness
Going to blows with your fear incarnate
Never gone until it's stripped away
A part of you has gotta die to change
In the morning you gon' need an answer
Ain't nobody gonna change the standard
It's not enough to just feel the flame
You've gotta burn your old self away
Hold on tight a little longer
What don't kill ya, makes ya stronger
Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love
You can't change without a fallout
It's gon' hurt, but don't you slow down
Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love
You know the situation can't be right
And all you ever do is fight
But there's a reason that the road is long
It take some time to make your courage strong
Hold on tight a little longer
What don't kill ya, makes ya stronger
Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love
You can't change without a fallout
It's gon' hurt, but don't you slow down
Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love
When the wolves come and hunt me down
I will face them all and stand my ground
'Cause there's a fire burnin' in me
They will see my strength in this love I found
Oh
Hold on tight a little longer
What don't kill ya, makes ya stronger
Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love
You can't change without a fallout
It's gon' hurt, but don't you slow down
Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love
It's a hard love...
Hold on tight a little longer
What don't kill ya, makes ya stronger
Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love
You can't change without a fallout
It's gon' hurt, but don't you slow down
Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love
'Cause it's a hard love
Video
NEEDTOBREATHE - "HARD LOVE (feat. Andra Day)" [Official Video]
Meaning & Inspiration
"Hard Love," from NeedToBreathe's 2016 album of the same name, is a powerful anthem that resonates deeply with the human struggle for growth and transformation, a struggle intimately familiar to anyone walking a path of faith. The song doesn't shy away from the arduous nature of change; it confronts it head-on, suggesting that true progress often involves facing internal battles with fear and darkness, acknowledging that "a part of you has gotta die to change." This unflinching perspective aligns with the biblical concept that shedding our old selves is a prerequisite for spiritual renewal. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (4:22-24) speaks of putting off the old self, which is corrupted by deceitful desires, and being renewed in the spirit of our minds, putting on the new self, created in God’s likeness. The lyrics emphasize that feeling the desire for change isn't enough; one must actively "burn your old self away," a visceral image that mirrors the refining fire of God's discipline, as described in Hebrews 12:11: "No discipline is fun while it is happening, it’s painful. But afterward, there can be no doubt—those who are trained by it enjoy peace and righteousness." The recurring refrain, "What don't kill ya, makes ya stronger," is more than a platitude; it's a profound recognition that enduring hardship, with God's grace, builds resilience. This is echoed in Romans 5:3-5, which states that "suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." The song acknowledges the inevitable pain and "fallout" that accompany genuine transformation, urging listeners to "hold on tight a little longer" and not to "slow down." This encouragement finds its roots in verses like Galatians 6:9, which advises, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." The imagery of facing "wolves" and standing ground, driven by an inner "fire," speaks to the courage cultivated through faith. This resilience in the face of adversity is a hallmark of the faithful, as seen in David's Psalms, where he repeatedly declared his trust in God amidst his trials. Ultimately, "Hard Love" serves as a compelling reminder that the journey of spiritual maturity is not always gentle; it is often a demanding, transformative process that, when embraced, leads to a strength and peace that can only be described as a profound, divine love.