I can't say that I'm sorry, getting so ahead of myself
I can't say that I'm sorry, for loving you and hating myself
I have nothing to show you
I have nothing to hold you down
It's killing me to walk away

How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you wanna wait this out?
How come you always lead me on
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you wanna win me now?
Why don't you wanna show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here?

I see you by my house, walking with a different girl
I see you by my house, talking with a different girl
She's got nothing to show you, she's got nothing to hold you down
You're killing me, walk away

How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you wanna wait this out?
How come you always lead me on
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you wanna win me now?
Why don't you wanna show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here?

One day, soon
I won't be the one who waits on you (I won't be the one)
So damn soon
I won't be the one who waits on you

How come you don't want me now?
How come you always lead me on
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you wanna win me now?
Tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here?

How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you wanna wait this out?
How come you always lead me on
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you wanna win me now?
Why don't you wanna show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here?

How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you wanna wait this out?
How come you always lead me on
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you wanna win me now?
Why don't you wanna show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here?


Lyrics submitted by bongomar, edited by throughthestatic, smileforthecamera

How Come You Don't Want Me Lyrics as written by Sara Keirsten Quin Jack Antonoff

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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How Come You Don't Want Me song meanings
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2 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I don't have the actual physical album yet… waiting on it to arrive. Hence I don't have the actual lyrics either (assuming they're included, that is). I hear some things a bit differently here… the chorus, in particular. at first I thought she was saying "why don't you wanna wake this up" and "couldn't try and meet me here"… so bear in mind, these are merely suggestions :)

    I can't say that I'm sorry for getting so ahead of myself I can't say that I'm sorry for loving you and hating myself I had nothing to show you I had nothing to hold you down it's killing me to walk away

    how come you don't want me now why don't you wanna wait this out how come you always lead me on, never take my call, hear me out why don't you wanna win me now why don't you wanna show me off tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here

    I see you by my house walking with a different girl I see you by my house talking with a different girl she's got nothing to show you she's got nothing to hold you down you're killing me, walk away

    how come you don't want me now why don't you wanna wait this out how come you always lead me on, never take my call, hear me out why don't you wanna win me now why don't you wanna show me off tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here

    one day soon, I won't be the one who waits on you some day soon, I won't be the one who waits on you

    how come you don't want me now how come you always lead me on, never take my call, hear me out why don't you wanna win me now tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here

    how come you don't want me now why don't you wanna wait this out how come you always lead me on, never take my call, hear me out why don't you wanna win me now why don't you wanna show me off tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here

    how come you don't want me now why don't you wanna wait this out how come you always lead me on, never take my call, hear me out why don't you wanna win me now why don't you wanna show me off tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here

    TheWrongGirlon February 01, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    One day, soon I won’t be the one who waits on you. So damn soon I won’t be the one who waits on you....I believe the lyrics are talking about March, April, May, or June when the sun is shining and the freedom bell rings....yes, the highs of summer. So why would anyone stick around (and online no less) for the inevitable.The songs about a lousy offer. No thank you.

    SillyCheekson February 01, 2013   Link

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