Every time that I hear a woman cry 'cause her man has left her flat
I just feel like saying, "Don't be such a fool, you fool"
Better dry your eyes, can't you realize you gain nothing by that?
Well, that's no way to keep his heart warm, baby
When his love grows cool

What's the use in sighing? What's the use in crying?
If he's wandered off the track
'Cause if your kisses won't hold the man you love
Then your tears won't bring him back, no

You might as well be cheerful, there's no use being tearful
If he's given you the sack
'Cause if your kisses won't hold the man you love
Then your tears won't bring him back

Now, listen, if sweet sugar kissin' isn't gonna make him come home
Tell me, how do ya hope to keep him to ya with tears instead of song

Just be a normal fella, come on, say, "What the hell-a"
Get his clothes and help him to pack
'Cause if your kisses won't hold the man you love
Then your tears won't bring him back

Love is like home cooking, good and wholesome
But all men need some mutton on the outside now and then
If you find your boy is cheating, do the same, old dear
He's only giving you the chance that you've been waiting for for years

My goodness! Tears won't get you anything, just a shiny red nose
Go on, paint up, powder up, put on your swellest clothes
Men, go and get 'em by the score, neglected girls shouldn't worry
That's what God made sailors for

Don't cry for him or chase him, just go out and replace him
With some good looking Tom, Dick or Jack
'Cause if your kisses won't hold the man you love
Then your tears won't bring him back

If your kisses won't hold the man you love
Then your tears won't bring him back


Lyrics submitted by artoseybycy

If Your Kisses Can't Hold the Man You Love Lyrics as written by Vivian Ellis Jack Yellen

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

If Your Kisses Can't Hold the Man You Love song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

10 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    I remember reading somewhere that this song was originally a cabaret song, popularized by Sophie Tucker. The somewhat dated language points to this, but I'm not sure if using the name "Dick" was meant as a double-entendre or not.

    me75234on June 29, 2006   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.