You Don't Own Me
Embracing Independence: "You Don't Own Me" Meaning Unveiled
Lyrics
You don't own me
You do not control or possess me
I'm not just one of your many toys
I am not just an object for your amusement
You don't own me
Reiteration that I am not under your ownership
Don't say I can't go with other boys
Do not restrict me from being with other guys
Don't tell me what to do
Do not dictate my actions
And don't tell me what to say
Do not dictate my speech
Please when I go out with you
When I am with you, do not treat me like an object
Don't put me on display 'cause
Do not showcase me as if I am an item
You don't own me
Emphasizing again that you do not have ownership over me
Don't try to change me in any way
Do not attempt to change my personality or character
You don't own me
Reiterating that I am not owned or controlled
Don't tie me down 'cause I'll never stay
Do not try to confine or restrain me because I won't comply
Oh I don't tell you what to say
I do not impose restrictions on your speech
And I don't tell you what to do
I do not impose restrictions on your actions
So just let me be myself
Allow me the freedom to be myself
That's all I ask of you
Asking for acceptance of who I am
I'm young and I love to be young
Expressing the joy of youth and the desire for freedom
And free and I love to be free
Emphasizing the love for being free
To live my life the way I want
Expressing the desire to live life on one's own terms
To say and do whatever I please
Asserting the right to express oneself without constraints
Don't tell me what to do
Reiterating the need for autonomy
And you don't tell me what to say
Reiterating the need for freedom of speech
And Please when I go out with you
Requesting not to treat as an object when together
Don't put me on display 'cause
Asking not to put on display when going out together
I don't, I don't tell you what to say baby
Highlighting reciprocity in not imposing restrictions
But I don't tell you what to do but to start to sing, yeah
Asserting the freedom to start singing without constraints
You got to sing, yeah
Encouraging the act of singing as an expression of freedom
You got something to sing, yeah, you got something to sing, yeah, ooh
Expressing the joy and freedom associated with singing
Na-na-na-na-na
Repeating "Na-na-na-na-na" as a musical expression
Na-na-na-na-na
Continuation of the musical expression
You got to, you got to, you got, you got, you got
Encouraging and celebrating individuality and expression
Waah, yeah-yeah-yeah
An exclamation expressing enthusiasm and agreement
Ow, come on baby, it's okay
Encouragement to continue singing without fear
Both the windows are open and you're falling
Suggesting openness and freedom with open windows
Baby
A playful and affirming closing statement
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