Who Do You Love

The speaker presents himself as fearless and larger than life, using wild, threatening images to create a boastful, almost comic persona. He repeatedly asks Arlene, “Who do you love?” The question may be a demand for reassurance or loyalty. By the end, Arlene takes his hand and says she understands, suggesting a moment of connection after all the bravado.

The barbed wire, snake necktie, and house made from rattlesnake hide and a human skull make the speaker’s world seem dangerous and exaggerated. These are not ordinary descriptions; they build a fantastical image of toughness. “Tombstone hand” and “graveyard mind” also suggest closeness to death, while “I don’t mind dying” adds a daring, almost reckless edge. The odd scene of an ice-wagon flying through a dark, blue night contributes to the song’s dreamlike, surreal mood.

The lyrics leave the speaker’s confidence open to interpretation. His repeated question could sound playful, challenging, or insecure beneath the tough talk. Arlene’s response may mean that she accepts him, understands his character, or simply shares a private bond with him. The song does not explain exactly what she understands, so the ending offers warmth without fully resolving the question.