You Can't Do That Lyrics
Wow, John Lennon had some jealously issues...this, Run For Your Life, I'm sure I can come up with a few more examples...
Ha, I love this song. He's basically saying that he's the boss in the relationship and the girl better straighten up or he will leave her.
2world your theory is so weird man...Its a kick-ass song by Lennon...lyrics are pretty simple its just the music which is killing..one the few songs which my poor friends who dont understand the concept of beatles can listen to...lennon yells and leads follows nothing like it...
Nice theory, 2world, but I don't think Lennon had too much interest in religion at that stage in his life. This song is probably nothing more than a mysogonistic Lennon tune fuelled by his border-line maniacal jealousy. This song shows the "tough" side of Lennon to counter his softer side on songs like "If I Fell" and "Tell me Why"
Okay I heard that this was Lennon having a conversation with God. So many people think that Lennon and the Beatles were pretty much the 60's "saviors" and that they were blessed with this responsinility to help out America and attempt at instilling love and peace which ultimately saves us you know? A lot of people thought and still do think of their music to be almost "divine," So let's just say Lennon was God's chosen one...Lennon was saying, "I'm gonna let you down and leave you flat" and then he talks about himself in third person Lennon says, "Well, it’s the second time, I’ve caught you talking to him, Do I have to tell you one more time, I think it’s a sin," 'I think I'll let you down' he says...
"Ev’rybody’s green, ‘Cause I’m the one, who won your love, But if it’s seen, You’re talking that way They’d laugh in my face. So please listen to me, if you wanna stay mine, I can’t help my feelings, I’ll go out of my mind," See with following this whole idea, this part is saying to God, "I won your love and people are jealous about it. I mean if they heard what kind of ideas you wanted me to communicate for you, they'd laugh at me." Then he says, "Please listen to me if you want to stay mine" which means he's laying it down and kind of venting to this higher power he is communicating for.
Okay so this was done in the very beginning of the Beatles' musical career so this idea makes sense with the timing. And then at the very end of their career, their last performance on a roof top singing, "Don't Let Me Down" it's kind of like the Bealtes saying, "We gave you all this music and tried to instill some peace. We have taught you. Our job is over. It's up to all of you now. 'DOn't Let me Down'" It's kind of a word from God as well, don't you think? Continuing with that whole savior idea of course...
thanks guys :) yeah, I still really love this song. I've heard about his jealousy, yes. And I very much agree with vishal wall about his yells and leads. Powerful stuff.
I can relate to his jealousy, but I don't really like this side of John Lennon. But, you know, he got better. :P
When listening to pop music with a story like this, I often imagine what the other person's response would be. In this case it had to be something like this:
"You pompous ass, don't flatter yourself. Here's a clue -- you say 'I told you before' -- and how's that working out for ya? You say 'everybody's green' with envy that you scored such a hottie. So how long do you think I'll be crying on my own? How 'flat' do you think you're really going to leave me? As if.
'Wanna stay mine'? Didn't know I ever was your property.
'I'm gonna let you down' -- Oh yeah? Know what, I'll save you the trouble. I'm gonna DTMFA as Dan Savage likes to say... Buh-bye."
Forgive the anachronisms, like John's girlfriend in the 60s quoting Dan Savage, but the song is "timeless", right? Twaddle and tripe can be timeless too.
That said, the song IS impossibly catchy, a well-crafted pop song from one of the top geniuses of the genre.
Haha, 2world, I love your premise! Why not. I 've always just assumed it's that side of Lennon that I actually really admire. That honest side. If anybody can put themselves out there and be vulnerable in song it is John Lennon. Think 'Help', 'I'm A Loser', 'Yer Blues', 'Don't Let Me Down' etc. I love that about him.
In this song he's showing typical male entitlement anger, and he knows it. I think it's interesting that in the bridge he makes his main point by telling us that it's not so much about him being hurt by her giving attention to other guys but by how people will laugh at him once they find out. It's something different than him just being a jealous guy. It's him facing public humiliation. Is that a real thorn in John's side or is he making a point to other men who would react this way at what might be behind their anger in similar situations.
In any case, the music in this song equals the tenor of the lyrics. The opening guitar lick is one of his best and his voice drives the song relentlessly thrusting on the downbeat in an angry, dirty way. The rhythm guitar sound is nasty, too, and syncopates in a raunchy accompaniment to his vocals. One unique, perfect song from the nearly perfect album, 'A Hard Day's Night', made at the pinnacle of their pure rock song/ballade writing.
The devolution of John Lennon’s [lyrical] jealousy from this song to “Ticket To Ride” (“don’t know why she’s flyin’ so high”) is astounding.
From a seemingly direct threat to a resigned shrug.