You Don't Own Me
Embrace Freedom: Unveiling the Empowering Message of "You Don't Own Me" by Susanna Hoffs
Lyrics
You don't own me
You, the person addressed, do not have control or ownership over me.
I'm not just one of your many toys
I am not merely an object for your amusement; I am not one of your possessions.
You don't own me
Reiteration of the assertion that the addressed person does not possess or control the speaker.
Don't say I can't go with other boys
Do not dictate who I can associate with romantically or socially.
And don't tell me what to do
Do not impose your will on my actions.
Don't tell me what to say
I do not want you to control or dictate my words.
And please, when I go out with you
When I am with you, do not treat me as an object for public admiration.
Don't put me on display 'cause
Request not to be showcased or exhibited like a possession.
You don't own me
Emphasizes the lack of ownership and control that the addressed person has over the speaker.
Don't try to change me in any way
Do not attempt to alter or shape my personality or behavior.
You don't own me
Reaffirmation that the speaker cannot be owned or restricted by the addressed person.
Don't tie me down 'cause I'd never stay
Do not attempt to confine or restrain the speaker because they would not tolerate it.
I don't tell you what to say
Highlighting the speaker's respect for the addressed person's autonomy by not dictating their words.
I don't tell you what to do
Emphasizing reciprocity in not controlling the addressed person's words or actions.
So just let me be myself
The speaker seeks the freedom to be their authentic self without external influence.
That's all I ask of you
Expressing a simple request for the addressed person to allow the speaker to be true to themselves.
I'm young and I love to be young
Describing the speaker's youthful nature and enjoyment of it.
I'm free and I love to be free
Asserting the speaker's freedom and enjoyment of being unrestrained.
To live my life the way I want
Expressing the desire to live life on the speaker's own terms.
To say and do whatever I please
Asserting the speaker's right to express themselves freely in both words and actions.
And don't tell me what to do
Reiteration of the plea not to control or dictate the speaker's actions.
Oh, don't tell me what to say
Repetition of the plea not to control or dictate the speaker's words.
And please, when I go out with you
Request not to be showcased or exhibited when out with the addressed person.
Don't put me on display
Emphasizes the desire to avoid being treated as a possession for public display.
I don't tell you what to say
Reiterating the speaker's respect for the autonomy of the addressed person.
Oh, don't tell you what to do
Reflecting the reciprocity in the relationship, where the speaker refrains from controlling the addressed person.
So just let me be myself
Reassertion of the plea to allow the speaker to be their authentic self without external influence.
That's all I ask of you
Repetition of the simple request for the addressed person to let the speaker be true to themselves.
I'm young and I love to be young
Restating the speaker's youthful nature and love for the freedom it brings.
I'm free and I love to be free
Reaffirmation of the speaker's freedom and love for being unrestrained.
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