You Took Advantage of Me
Love's Sweet Deception in Gerry Mulligan's Melody
Lyrics
When a girl has the heart of a mother
Expressing that a girl possesses nurturing qualities.
It must go to someone of course
Highlighting the necessity for the girl's affection to be directed to someone.
It can't be sister or brother
Emphasizing that the affection cannot be shared with siblings.
And so I love my horse
Playfully expressing love for a horse as a substitute for romantic relationships.
But horses are frequently silly
Suggesting that horses can behave irrationally or unpredictably.
Mine ran from the beach of Okhala
Describing the horse running away from a specific location, Okhala beach.
And left me alone for a filly
Reflecting on being left alone for a "filly," another term for a young female horse.
So I have picked you up
Transitioning from the horse metaphor to addressing a romantic interest.
I'm a sentimental sap, that's all
Admitting to being sentimental and emotionally vulnerable.
What's the use of trying not to fall?
Rhetorical question about the futility of resisting romantic feelings.
I have no will, you've made your kill
Admitting a lack of willpower and feeling victimized by the romantic interest.
Cause you took advantage of me
Accusing the romantic interest of taking advantage of the speaker's vulnerability.
I'm just like an apple on a bough
Comparing oneself to an easily accessible and vulnerable fruit.
And you're gonna shake me down somehow
Anticipating being emotionally shaken or manipulated by the romantic interest.
So, what's the use, you've cooked my goose
Accepting the consequences of being emotionally vulnerable.
Cause you took advantage of me
Reiterating the feeling of being taken advantage of emotionally.
I'm so hot and bothered that
Expressing intense emotional turmoil and confusion.
I don't know my elbow from my ear
Exaggerating emotional distress and disorientation.
I suffer something awful each time
Describing the heightened suffering when the romantic interest is absent.
You go and much worse when you're near
Expressing vulnerability and dependency in the romantic relationship.
Here I am with all my bridges burned
Metaphorically describing a state of vulnerability and naivety.
Just a babe in arms where you're concerned
Comparing oneself to an inexperienced individual in matters of the heart.
So lock the doors and call me yours
Symbolically seeking protection and commitment from the romantic interest.
Cause you took advantage of me.
Reiterating the feeling of being taken advantage of emotionally.
I'm a sentimental sap, that's all
Repeating the admission of sentimental vulnerability.
What's the use of trying not to fall?
Reiterating the rhetorical question about resisting romantic feelings.
I have no will, you've made your kill
Restating the lack of willpower and feeling victimized.
Cause you took advantage of me
Reiterating the accusation of being taken advantage of emotionally.
I'm just like an apple on a bough
(Repeated chorus, no additional meaning provided.)
And you're gonna shake me down somehow
Repeating the comparison to a vulnerable fruit and anticipating emotional manipulation.
So, what's the use, you've cooked my goose
Reiterating acceptance of the consequences of emotional vulnerability.
Cause you took advantage of me
Reiterating the feeling of being taken advantage of emotionally.
I'm so hot and bothered that
Reiterating intense emotional turmoil and confusion.
I don't know my elbow from my ear
Repeating the exaggeration of emotional distress and disorientation.
I suffer something awful each time
Reiterating the heightened suffering in the absence of the romantic interest.
You go and much worse when you're near
Repeating vulnerability and dependency in the romantic relationship.
Here I am with all my bridges burned
Repeating the metaphor of vulnerability and naivety.
Just a babe in arms where you're concerned
Repeating the comparison to an inexperienced individual in matters of the heart.
So lock the doors and call me yours
Repeating the symbolic seeking of protection and commitment from the romantic interest.
Cause you took advantage of me
Reiterating the feeling of being taken advantage of emotionally.
You took advantage of me
Final repetition of
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