Mean to Me
Love's Tears: Unraveling the Melancholy in Molly Johnson's 'Mean to Me'
Lyrics
You're mean to me
You are unkind or harsh towards me.
Why must you be mean to me'
Expressing frustration or disbelief about the consistent unkindness.
Gee, honey, it seems to me
Expressing surprise or dismay at the unkind behavior.
You love to see me cryin'
Suggesting that the person enjoys witnessing the emotional pain caused.
Don't know why
Expressing confusion or lack of understanding regarding the reasons for mistreatment.
I stay home each night
Despite mistreatment, choosing to stay at home every night.
Say you'll phone
Expecting a promised phone call.
You don't and I'm left alone
Feeling abandoned when the promised call doesn't happen.
Singin' the blues I was cryin'
Expressing emotional distress through singing the blues.
You treat me coldly each day of the year
Describing consistent cold treatment throughout the year.
And ya' always scold me
Receiving criticism even in the presence of others.
Whenever somebody is near, dear
Highlighting the association of scolding with the presence of others.
It must be
Expressing a belief that mistreating is enjoyable for the other person.
Great fun to be mean to me
Suggesting that being mean is perceived as a source of amusement.
Ya should've but can't you see
Encouraging the person to understand the emotional impact of their actions.
What ! What! You mean to me.
Expressing frustration or emphasis on the emotional impact.
You're mean to me
Repetition of the idea that the person is unkind.
Why must you be mean to me
Reiteration of the question about the reason for the unkindness.
Gee honey it seems to me
Repeating the surprise or dismay at the unkind behavior.
You love to see me cryin'
Reiteration of the belief that the person enjoys witnessing emotional pain.
I don't know why'
Expressing confusion or lack of understanding regarding the reasons for mistreatment.
I stay home
Repetition of the choice to stay at home every night despite mistreatment.
Each night, say you'll phone
Expecting a promised phone call.
Ya don't and I'm left all alone
Feeling abandoned when the promised call doesn't happen.
Singin' the blues I was cryin'
Expressing emotional distress through singing the blues.
You treat me coldly
Describing consistent cold treatment throughout the year.
Each day of the year
Receiving criticism even in the presence of others.
And you always scold me
Highlighting the association of scolding with the presence of others.
Whenever somebody is near, dear
Expressing a belief that mistreating is enjoyable for the other person.
It must be
Reiteration of the idea that the person finds mistreating enjoyable.
Great fun to be Mean to Me
Suggesting that being mean is perceived as a source of amusement.
Ya should've but can't you see
Encouraging the person to understand the emotional impact of their actions.
What ! What! You mean to me.
Expressing frustration or emphasis on the emotional impact.
Oh, ya Mean to Me!
Reiteration of the idea that the person is unkind.
Comment