By Rosa Smith. Cover image: Prince at Coachella by Scott Penner.
Ever find yourself at a loss for words? Sometimes, rock songs capture our deepest emotions far better than we ever could. From heartfelt confessions to rebellious declarations, these iconic rock love songs and lyrics offer profound inspiration for expressing what we often struggle to say. Dive into these 20 unforgettable lines that resonate with the unconventional soul—perfect for singing, scribbling, or simply reflecting on.
Let the power of rock music fuel your expressions of love and self-discovery.
20 rock love song lyrics for unconventional souls
1. Linkin Park, Castle of Glass (2012)
Fly me up on a silver wing
Past the black where the sirens sing
Warm me up in a nova’s glow
And drop me down to the dream below / ’Cause I’m only a crack in this castle of glass
Why it’s worth it The image of a glass castle evokes fragility, the transparency of a material as delicate as glass, combined with solidity, magnificence, and numerous dreams. When in love, we all feel somewhat like this – “cracks in glass castles”, both impenetrable and delicate. The track is from the fifth studio album by the Californian alternative rock band Living Things and seems to be linked to the theme of war. However, these lyrics are truly universal.
2. Neil Young, Love is a rose (1977)
You lose your love when you say the word mine
Why it’s worth it The perfect gift of brevity in a love message. Agree?
3. Prince, Kiss (1986)
You don’t have to be rich
To be my girl
You don’t have to be cool
To rule my world
Ain’t no particular sign I’m more compatible with
I just want your extra time and your
Kiss
Why it’s worth it These lyrics are meant to be hummed in person rather than written to someone. Just thinking of the funky guitar in the iconic song gives me instant chills. Sing it at the perfect moment and preferably not in the sun – it can get very hot.
4. Metallica, Nothing Else Matters (1991)
So close no matter how far
Couldn’t be much more from the heart
Forever trust in who we are
And nothing else matters
Why it’s worth it James Hetfield of Metallica wrote this beautiful ballad for a simple reason: he missed his girlfriend. It’s an embodiment of classical, strong romanticism. When someone leaves you and breaks your heart, nothing else matters, right?
5. Leonard Cohen, I’m Your Man (1988)
If you want a boxer
I will step into the ring for you
And if you want a doctor
I’ll examine every inch of you
Why it’s worth it Try writing these verses from the extraordinary Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, and author who passed away in 2016 on a card or in a WhatsApp message yourself, and you’ll see if it wasn’t worth it!
6. Måneskin, Honey (Are U Coming?) (2023)
Meet me there where it never closesMeet me there where it’s never hopelessAll is fair in love, oh-oh-ohHoney, are you coming?
Why it’s worth it Rage sounds and lyrics that invite adventure and living in the moment, not knowing what tomorrow will bring. Write these words on the sand!
7. Elton John, Your Song (1970)
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it’s done
I hope you don’t mind
hope you don’t mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you’re in the world
Why it’s worth it It’s one of the most beautiful songs by the legendary Elton John, a romantic poem written many years ago in London, in his kitchen, during breakfast. You might find yourself inspired while sipping coffee on a summer morning. Write down these lyrics on a paper napkin and leave it on the table for a guaranteed wow effect!
8. Led Zeppelin, Thank You, 1969
If the sun refused to shine,
I would still be loving you
When mountains crumble to the sea,
there will still be you and me
Why it’s worth it This blues rock ballad has deservedly entered into legend. Robert Plant’s voice delivers psychedelic chills, and the lyrics do too. Here, we truly reach the pinnacle of romance without ever being saccharine.
9. Nirvana, Come as you are (1992)
Come as you are, as you were,
As I want you to be.
As a friend, as a friend,
As an old enemy
Why it’s worth it A heartbreaking alternative rock song for lonely souls. Considering that Kurt Cobain died by suicide in 1994 and was struggling with addiction during those years, some critics have written that this song is dedicated to drugs. In reality, the Nirvana frontman said that the song is about “people and what they’re expected to be like”. In any case, it’s legendary.
10. Blink 182, I Miss You (2004)
Don’t waste your time on me you’re already
The voice inside my head (I miss you miss you)
Why it’s worth it Inspired by Tim Burton’s film The Night Before Christmas, this song is a poem for alternative hearts. Touching.
11. Extreme, More than words (1991)
Saying I love you
Is not the words I want to hear from you
It’s not that I want you
Not to say, but if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words
Why it’s worth it The sound of Nuno Bettencourt’s acoustic guitar is enough to make you feel in love. The theme is interesting, too, trying to show how you feel without using words. Quite a challenge, isn’t it?
12. Pink Floyd, Brain Damage (1973)
You lock the door and throw away the key
There’s someone in my head but it’s not me
Why it’s worth it Hey, we’re really delving into music history here. This track is part of The Dark Side of the Moon, one of the best-selling albums of all time. The lyrics are inspired by the mental fragility of former band member Syd Barrett, but anyone can tune into these frequencies and empathise with these words. Haven’t we all felt that way at least once?
13. Rush, Freewill (1980)
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
Why it’s worth it Written 44 years ago, this amazing progressive rock song by the brilliant Geddy Lee’s band is strikingly relevant today. In the age of social media, ghosting, and relationships that open and close online, this song gives us much to ponder.
4. Oasis, Wonderwall (1995)
There are many things that I would like to say to you
But I don’t know how
Why it’s worth it One of the most famous songs by the English rock band, perhaps one of the most popular in history. It’s a great track to sing along to, and it could be the unofficial biography of each one of us.
15. Bruce Springsteen, No Surrender (1986)
We learned more from a three-minute record than we ever learned in school
Why it’s worth it Well, Springsteen didn’t earn the name “The Boss” for nothing. He’s a legend who really knows his stuff!
16. Thirty seconds to Mars, Love is Madness (2018)
I knew the moment I looked into your eyes
Love is madness
Why it’s worth it Hey, do you realise that this song is sung by Jared Leto? Paired with Halsey, the result is a sexy bombshell.
17. Aerosmith, Don’t want to miss a thing (1998)
Don’t want to close my eyes, I don’t want to fall asleep
Cause I’d miss you baby, and I don’t want to miss a thing
Why it’s worth it Steven Tyler, the eternally sexy and charismatic leader of Aerosmith, may not come across as a sage, but here he shares some valuable advice: live in the moment and seize every opportunity (and occasionally turn off your phone!).
18. Green Day, Stray Heart (2012)
Everything that I want, I want from you
But I just can’t have you
Everything that I need, I need from you
But I just can’t have you
Why it’s worth it The unmistakable sound of Green Day in this pop-punk track with driving rhythms embraces melancholic lyrics. The song talks about a couple in crisis, but we really resonate with it, don’t we?
19. The Rolling Stones, You Can’t Always Get What You Want (1969)
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well, you might find
You get what you need
Why it’s worth it Well, let’s say that in those years, Mick Jagger and the iconic Stones really had everything they wanted and the world at their feet. However, these lyrics still sound great and can boost your self-esteem.
20. The Beatles, The End (1969)
And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make
Why it’s worth it There’s no competition here. These Beatles lyrics are perhaps the lines that have been quoted, copied, noted, recited, and written on walls more than any others in history. They’re meant for oneself and the world. Always and forever. Peace and love!
