The Meaning Behind Savage Garden’s Romantic Hit “Truly Madly Deeply”

Just a few months after the release of their breakout hit “I Want You,” pop duo Savage Garden struck gold again with their 1997 single, “Truly Madly Deeply.” The sweeping, romantic ballad became a global hit, climbing to No. 1 in their home country of Australia, the U.S., and Canada.

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The track helped bandmates Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones avoid the dreaded title of “one-hit wonder” and positioned them as one of the most intriguing acts of the 1990s.

The Lyrics

Co-penned by Hayes and Jones, “Truly Madly Deeply” is a declaration of undying and boundless love. Hayes’ airy vocals relay a message of commitment and willingness to do whatever it takes to keep their bond strong.

I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be your fantasy
I’ll be your hope, I’ll be your love, be everything that you need
I love you more with every breath truly, madly, deeply do
I will be strong, I will be faithful ’cause I’m counting on
A new beginnin’
A reason for livin’
A deeper meaning, yeah

The track’s anthemic chorus reiterates the theme of togetherness and passion, sharing a pledge to savor the moment with their significant other.

I wanna stand with you on a mountain
I wanna bathe with you in the sea
I wanna lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me

The Response

It’s been 26 years since “Truly Madly Deeply” was first shared with listeners, and it is still often cited as one of the best pop songs of the decade. The duo’s career kept momentum for a few more years, providing a string of hits, including “I Knew I Loved You” and “Crash and Burn.”

Savage Garden formally disbanded in 2001, and Hayes has cultivated a successful solo career. Although neither Hayes nor Jones has gone into much detail about the direct inspiration behind “Truly Madly Deeply,” the emotion both artists poured into the track continues to connect with fans new and old.

“A songwriter can only hope to achieve that, and I’m so touched ‘Truly Madly Deeply’ became the soundtrack to so much,” Hayes tells Entertainment Focus in a 2016 interview. “Youth, first love, marriages, the 90’s. There are a lot of sentimental attachments people have made to the song, and I’m incredibly grateful because it was and is a very sincere personal song for me.”

Revisit Savage Garden’s timeless pop ballad “Truly Madly Deeply” below:

Photo by Mick Hutson/Redferns