The Things We Do For Love
by 10cc

Album: Deceptive Bends (1976)
Charted: 6 5
Play Video
  • Too many broken hearts have fallen in the river
    Too many lonely souls have drifted out to sea
    You lay your bets and then you pay the price
    The things we do for love, the things we do for love

    Communication is the problem to the answer
    You've got her number and your hand is on the phone
    The weather's turned and all the lines are down
    The things we do for love, the things we do for love

    Like walking in the rain and the snow
    When there's nowhere to go
    And you're feelin' like a part of you is dying
    And you're looking for the answer in her eyes
    You think you're gonna break up
    Then she says she wants to make up

    Ooh you made me love you
    Ooh you've got a way
    Ooh you had me crawling up the wall

    Like walking in the rain and the snow
    When there's nowhere to go
    And you're feelin' like a part of you is dying
    And you're looking for the answer in her eyes
    You think you're gonna break up
    Then she says she wants to make up

    Ooh you made me love you
    Ooh you've got a way
    Ooh you had me crawling up the wall

    A compromise would surely help the situation
    Agree to disagree but disagree to part
    When after all it's just a compromise of
    The things we do for love, the things we do for love Writer/s: Eric Stewart, G. Gouldman
    Publisher: MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 10

  • Larry from Pittsburgh, PaGreat song but so, so different from I'm Not in Love, recorded only a couple years prior. Like night and day.
  • Michelle from Halfmoon NyOne of my favorite songs from my childhood :)
  • Laurie Maitland from ElmontOh, what about Karen West's soulful, modified remake of their original from 1982?
    http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/karenwest1
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOTVRIIUES4
  • Tony from San DiegoWho from the 70s or 80s can't relate to this?
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 2nd 1977, "The Things We Do For Love" by the 10CC entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and on April 10th, 1977 it peaked at #5 (for 2 weeks) and spent 19 weeks on the Top 100...
    And on April 16th, 1977 it reached #1 (for 1 week) on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart and in the U.K. it peaked at #6...
    Was track two of side one on their fifth studio album, Deceptive Bends, and two others tracks from the album made the Top 100 ("Good Morning Judge" at #69 and "People in Love" at #40.
  • Mark from Adelaide, AustraliaI have also read the Eric Stewart rang his then girlfriend and her father answered the phone, they were having a tiff at the time and there was a bit of tension in their relationship, in the conversation with Erics GF father said ' too many broken heart have fallen in the river' or words to that affect. As Eric walked back to his flat or house the words started to piece together.
  • Emma from Adelaide, Australiadefinetly should be on GLEE they could do this really well, much better than f***ing SPECTACULAR lol this is an amazing song
  • Christopher L. from Fort Worth, TxThis is a PICK YOURSELF UP OFF YOUR ASS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE SITUATION type of song and it makes me feel good whenever its played!
  • Gerry from Derry N'ireland, United KingdomMy 1st taste of the AMAZING 10CC.
    Was HOOKED after I heard this great song....what a great band & such a melodic bass line.Nice one Mr Gouldman:-)
  • Jake from Burke, VaI think the quote from "Courage, The Cowardly Dog" that Courage says repeatedly, "The things I do for love," is a parody of this song.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.