Tonight I find it hard to sleep, 
each sound and squeak I hear 
keeps me staring at the ceiling. 
Oh, it's dark as night outside 
and I can't stand 
the quiet that it brings me. 
And I've got too much on my mind, 
I think it's time to take a drive 
and leave it all behind. 
I've got a song that's halfway there 
I think it needs the ocean air 
I'm going to grab my guitar 
and get in my car.
Oh, I need some understanding 
and a little love. 
Going to speed down to the oceanside 
in a race with the stars above.
With my guitar in hand 
and toes touching the sand 
I can see the sun is coming. 
Colors fill and crack the sky 
with purple, silver, and golden light 
drawing the day from night. 
On the shoreline a fisherman 
with bait on his line and a rod in his hand 
is ready to greet the day. 
He turns around to notice me 
and the two of us are patiently 
waiting for the sun's rays.
Oh, I just need some understanding 
and a little love. 
And somehow I am thinking now 
I could get what I've been dreaming of. 
But this fisherman is closing in, 
I think he could be crazy
He says, "Won't you ride with me, 
I could use the company. 
I've got a fish to catch 
and you have got a song to sing."
His eyes were anchors as the boat would sway, 
"What would you like to say? You have my attention."
"I see you came out here to write your song, 
but you don't have too long, 
so show me what you're working with. 
I'd like to give you a little something 
and you may think it's nothing on first listen, 
in the time it takes for you to make love, 
you could break love, waste love, 
and throw it all away. 
But all you need is faith 
and hope will bring a brighter day. 
And every time that you love 
let it lift someone else up.
If somebody tries to burn you, 
give him your hand in turn and pick him up 
when he's all alone. 
Now if you find yourself getting frustrated 
try not to get too jaded 
or you could go 'insane' like me."
"I tell you man you must be 'crazy' 
am I always lazy when it comes to love? 
With every failure and turning tide 
I toss the boomerang but ah, 
it never comes back to me. 
Have some faith you say 
and hope will find it's way? 
Well, I doubt what you're sure of 
when it seems to me the greatest of these is love...
but it's so hard to love."
Well, we were sitting on his boat 
our backs to each other 
he was giving me a little time. 
And all that he said was hurting my head 
wondering how to leave the selfishness behind 
all that I could say is:
"It's so hard to love...
the way that you want me to."
I stepped off the boat and thanked the man 
not sure what I was thankful for. 
When I turned back around to see him again 
he was already gone. 
Walking back from the water to my guitar 
that's when the light came on. 
I knew hat he was talking about, 
I knew how to finish my song.
Oh I just need some understanding, 
I need a little love. 
And I want to sing my song to somebody 
who doubts what they're made of. 
Oh, we all need some understanding, 
we all need love.
We all need love.