Don't Know How To Love Him Lyrics & Meaning Explained

"I Don't Know How to Love Him" from "Jesus Christ Superstar" is a poignany ballad expressing Mary Magdalene's inner turmoil and confusion about her feelings for Jesus. The song reveals her vulnerability and the depth of her emotions, which are unlike anything she has experienced before.

The opening lines, "I don't know how to love him, What to do, how to move him," highlight Mary's perplexity and unfamiliarity with this new kind of love she feels. It's a departure from her past experiences, as she reflects, "I've been changed, yes really changed." This change signifies a profound emotional awakening within her, suggesting a love that is mire spiritual and deep-rooted than mere physical attraction.

Mary's struggle is evident as she grapples with the nature of her feelings. The lyrics, "He's a man. He's just a man. And I've had so many men before, In very many ways, He's just one more," indicate her attempt to rationalize her emotions, trying to view Jesus as just another man. However, the intensity of her feelings makes this impossible.

The chorus, "Should I bring him down? Should I scream and shout? Should I speak of love, Let my feelings out?" reflects her inner conflict between expressing her love and the fear of its implications. Mary is torn between her desire to love openly and the apprehension about the consequences of such a confession.

The song captures Mary's transformation from a woman who was always "So calm, so cool, no lover's fool," to someone who is deeply unsettled by her feelings for Jesus. Her admission, "He scares me so," juxtaposes with "I want him so. I love him so," encapsulating the complexity of her emotions – fear, desire, and a profound sense of love.

In summary, "I Don't Know How to Love Him" is a deeply introspective song that explores the themes of love, change, and vulnerability. It portrays Mary Magdalene's emotional journey from certainty to a state of confusion and awe in the face of a love that transcends her past experiences.