This song explores the complexities of finding love after past heartbreaks, with the singer and the woman he addresses both having experience with previous relationships. He acknowledges his own imperfections, not being a "handsome Dan" or "sweet talking Romeo," and is unfazed by her own past. The lyrics convey a readiness for the messiness of love, but with the condition that his partner must be equally resilient and willing to take risks. Originally conceived as a rockabilly tune, the version on the 1987 Tunnel of Love album takes on a slower, more deliberate rhythm, featuring a layered, melodic synthesizer and a moody, heavy drum sound. It plays like a raw, honest proposition for a love built on shared toughness and understanding.