You and I
Navigating Love's Maze: Betty Davis' Struggle to Be Me
Lyrics
I'm just a child trying to be a woman
I'm in the process of growing up and becoming a woman.
And you
Referring to the person being addressed.
Ah you are a strange one
Describing the addressed person as unusual or different.
Tryin'
Striving or attempting.
To be my man
The addressed person is trying to fulfill the role of being the speaker's man.
Ah lying here so close to me tryin'
Lying physically close and attempting to express love.
I love you I love you I love you
Repeated expression of love, but the speaker finds it challenging to be true to herself.
But it's so hard for me to be me
Struggling to be authentic or genuine.
I wish I could give to you
Expressing a desire to give freedom to the addressed person.
I'd be free I'd be free I'd be free
Repetition of the desire for freedom, indicating its importance.
Ah then I could be me
If the speaker could give freedom, she could be true to herself.
I'm just a child trying to be a woman
Reiteration of being in the process of growing into womanhood.
And you
Repetition of addressing the person.
Ah you are a strange one trying to be
The addressed person is also in the process of trying to be a friend.
My friend
Describing the addressed person as strange but attempting friendship.
Ah lyin' here telling me what you feel tryin'
Lying close and verbally expressing emotions, particularly need.
I need you I need you I need you
Repeated expression of need, but the speaker struggles with being true to herself.
But it's so hard for me to be me
Continued struggle to be authentic while expressing a desire for the addressed person.
I wish I could live for you
Expressing a wish to live for the addressed person, leading to freedom.
I'd be free I'd be free I'd be free
Repetition of the desire for freedom through living for the addressed person.
Ah then I could be me
If the speaker could live for the addressed person, she could be true to herself.
I'm just a child trying to be a woman
Reiteration of being in the process of growing into womanhood.
And you
Repetition of addressing the person.
You are a strange one
Describing the addressed person as unusual or different.
Trying not to be a child.
The addressed person is making an effort not to remain childlike.
Comment