Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: power-pop
Song Meaning of “License To Kill” by Elvis Costello
“License To Kill” by Elvis Costello is a song that highlights the tough choices that people have to make in life – sometimes even going so far as to take actions that are contrary to what they believe is right. The songs speaks of a person who has been hurt too many times, and has decided to protect themselves by “taking their love off the line” – metaphorically using a “license to kill” – to end relationships in order to protect their heart from further pain. The song reflects the choices that we all have to make and how, more often than not, there is no “right” or “wrong” answer, but that our actions are a reflection of our own individual need for self-preservation. With powerful lyrics such as, “I still can’t stand the pain, of life on the line, looks like I’ll have to take my love off the line” and “License to kill, take your love away, nothing left to do but learn to smile again”, the song speaks of the universal struggle between our hearts and our heads, and the ultimate need to do what is best for ourselves in order to move forward.