I Will Not Lie for You
Honesty Unveiled: James Taylor's 'I Will Not Lie for You' Meaning
Lyrics
I will not lie, I will not lie. I will not lie, I will not lie for you.
The singer emphatically states they won't lie for the listener.
Every time I see you fooling around on him,
The singer observes the listener cheating on someone.
I can't help but remember that he calls me his friend.
The person being cheated on considers the singer as a friend.
It's only right for me to tell you when it's the wrong thing to do.
The singer feels obligated to advise against wrongdoing.
It's only right that you should know
It's essential for the listener to be aware of the truth.
If he comes to me, I will not lie for you, no, I won't lie for you.
The singer reaffirms they won't lie if asked about the affair.
It's hard enough to see him stumbling blind,
The listener's partner is struggling.
I refuse to see him lose you and me at the same time.
The singer doesn’t want the listener's partner to lose both them and the listener.
It's only right for me to tell you when it's the wrong thing to do.
It's the singer's responsibility to discourage wrongful actions.
It's only right that you should know
The listener needs to know the truth.
If he comes to me, I will not lie for you, no, I won't lie for you.
Reiteration that the singer won't lie if approached by the listener's partner.
To come here as your friend and have you come on like my lover,
The listener is crossing boundaries from friendship to a romantic relationship.
like to bring things to an end between myself and my brother.
The situation is causing strain between the singer and their brother.
If it was any other man I would not interfere
The singer wouldn’t intervene if it were someone else, but this situation impacts them personally.
But if you come on to me again, I don't see how to stand clear.
If the listener continues advances, the singer feels unable to stay distant.
It's only right for me to tell you when it's the wrong thing to do.
Continued obligation to advise against wrongdoing.
It's only right that you should know-
The listener needs to be aware.
if he asks me, I will not lie for you, mama, I won't lie for you.
The singer reiterates they won't lie if asked by the listener's partner.
If it was any other man I would not interfere
Repeated sentiment about not interfering, but feeling conflicted due to personal involvement.
But if you come on to me again, I don't see how to stand clear.
The singer feels unsure how to avoid involvement if the listener continues advances.
It's only right for me to tell you when it's the wrong thing to do.
Continued sense of responsibility to discourage wrongdoing.
It's only right that you should know
Emphasizes the importance of the listener knowing the truth.
If he asks me, I will not lie, I will not lie, I will not lie, I will not lie for you.
Reiteration of refusal to lie if asked by the listener's partner.
No, I won't lie for you, little girl, I won't lie for you.
Refusal to lie reiterated directly to the listener.
No, I won't lie to him for you, I will not lie for you.
The singer won't deceive the listener's partner.
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