80% of lovers
Never forget their first
This significant other
Whos departure makes things worse

Well this is you down to a 'T'
I can see you won't forget her
Because she meant untimely death a year ago

Technically, this is, appropriation by any other name
You can't have me, make me act the same
The way you treat me is inappropriate
You don't stop to think about that

Appropriation by any other name
You can't have me, make me act the same
The way you treat me is inappropriate
You don't stop to think about that

A mutal aquaintance
Claims you're wise beyind your years
With a love of conversation
Most unrivaled by your peers

Still the lingering malaise of British Rail
And whether foxes should be killed or not is her concern not mine

Technically, this is, appropriation by any other name
You can't have me, make me act the same
The way you treat me is inappropriate
You don't stop to think about that

Appropriation by any other name
You can't have me, make me act the same
The way you treat me is inappropriate
You don't stop to think about that

What will you do if I don't come back to you tonight?
I'm not always at your beck and call
I know how your mind works now
You just want a nearly new replacement

When I met you, I never wore dresses like that
But I've been sitting here for thirty minutes and you haven't said a word
But I don't have the guts to get on the bus
So I end up getting a lift back to yours and the cycle starts all over again
The cycle starts over again

Stop this man
Someone stop this stop
Stop this man
Someone stop this man, stop this man


Lyrics submitted by dillygirl

Appropriation (By Any Other Name) song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it might be, "When I met you, I never wore dresses like that."

    Great song!

    turnstileblueson June 10, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it might be, "When I met you, I never wore dresses like that."

    Great song!

    turnstileblueson June 10, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i would say it's more "before i met you I've never wore dresses like that" i love that song, i think it's about a relationship that is getting cold. The girl changed to much that her lover likes her. She knows it's wrong but just can't stop meeting him although he treats her like shit.

    assuntaon October 27, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this is about a girl who dates a widower. 'I can see you won't forget her/Because she meant untimely death a year ago'. He can't 'forget his first', and talks about 'British rail' and fox-hunting, which is his first love's interests, not his current. And so hence the chorus 'You can't have me, make me act the same'

    rapiston October 27, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Just realised today the obvious reference to Vertigo here, the whole song is about Scottie's appropriation of Judy into Madeleine, and the artwork is in fact a portrait of Judy/Madeleine.

    rapiston March 07, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I was just gonna say that, rapist! For anyone who hasn't seen the film, go check it out. It's really good.

    Prisoner.I.Wason March 17, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Which album is this from? i recently began to love the long blondes and i have 'someone to drive you home' is there another album?

    Koalablubblubon July 19, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yes rapist, this is an obvious reference to Vertigo and Scotty's recreation of Judy into Madeline. It also recognises Judy's weakness (as in the film she wants to leave but dosn't) "But I don't have the guts to get on the bus." The Long Blondes are very clever at using underlying feminist themes in their lyrics that most people miss.

    jj_26on September 15, 2007   Link

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