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Oh Well Lyrics

What you did to me made me
See myself something different
Though I try to talk sense to myself
But I just won't listen

Won't you go away
Turned yourself in
You're no good at confession
Before the image that you burned me in
Tries to teach you a lesson

What you did to me made me see myself somethin' awful
A voice once stentorian is now again meek and muffled
It took me such a long time to get back up the first time you did it
I spent all I had to get it back, and now it seems I've been outbidded

My peace and quiet was stolen from me
When I was looking with calm affection
You were searching out my imperfections

What wasted unconditional love
On somebody
Who doesn't believe in the stuff

You came upon me like a hypnic jerk
When I was just about settled
And when it counts you recoil
With a cryptic word and leave a love belittled

Oh what a cold and common old way to go
I was feeding on the need for you to know me
Devastated at the rate you fell below me

What wasted unconditional love
On somebody
Who doesn't believe in the stuff

Oh, well
Song Info
Submitted by
maxivolt On Mar 05, 2005
29 Meanings

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Cover art for Oh Well lyrics by Fiona Apple

I was at a concert in Saratoga, CA on July 3rd 2006, and Fiona explained this song (along with a funny story)...

She was dating a guy at the time (one would assume Paul Thomas Anderson), who then cheated on her with a very pretty, very famous "starlet". Fiona was, of course, massively upset... and at the time, this girl was starring in a movie so her picture was everywhere, magazine covers, TV screens, everywhere.

So Fiona was going to buy a box radio with her brother, just for some reason or another... but on her way to the store, everywhere she turned was this girl. Newsstands, billboards, everywhere Fiona turned the girl was there. Fiona was getting more and more upset, to the point where she just couldn't stop sobbing. When she finally reached the store, she was feeling better; but this electronics store was one which had walls taken up entirely by dozens of TV's. And at the exact moment Fiona walked in, every single TV in the store was showing the face of the girl.

Fiona looked at her brother, and for just a small, tiny, one second window, they were able to laugh... just for a second. Until, well... yeah.

After the story, right before Fiona began to play the song, she said, "And being the inspiration for this song may be the only decent thing this girl has ever done."

ahaha thank you!

Cover art for Oh Well lyrics by Fiona Apple

This song got me through a tough time in my life. I was dating this guy for the third time - we were very serious in our relationship, although he did talk down to me all the time. The relationship ended when I found out that he had cheated on me - illegally at that - so the whole "Won't you go away - Turn yourself in - You're no good at confession" part had extra meaning to me.
I Love You Fiona! I Can not wait for the next album! Spring 2011!!

My Interpretation
Cover art for Oh Well lyrics by Fiona Apple

This song is about having a relationship with a narcissist.

Where at first you are important and valuable. Then you are not quite good enough. Then you feel belittled for giving two fucks. So you work hard to make it right giving them all your love and affection. (Meanwhile stroking their ego)

You know that something isn't quite right...But you try and make it right...even changing yourself just to make them happy. Suddenly they dump you out of nowhere...oh well

Fiona got it wrong though...they can't "believe" because they don't "understand "

Cover art for Oh Well lyrics by Fiona Apple

I think of it being about putting so much energy and love into someone and they take it and you for granted, possibly manipulating you because of your vulnerability and love. You take this really hard and don’t understand what you did wrong because you care so much about them and their opinion. That applies to friends and lovers. Oh Well also reminds me of a guy wanting me for my body.

My Interpretation
Cover art for Oh Well lyrics by Fiona Apple

this song is so powerful. freefiona.com people! we want this album.

Cover art for Oh Well lyrics by Fiona Apple

tentorian is not a word. i'm pretty sure she's saying "stentorian" which means loud and strong. that fits.

this is probably the saddest song i've ever heard. it's so beautiful.

Cover art for Oh Well lyrics by Fiona Apple

oh also, its "somone who doesn't believe in THE STUFF" not "this life".

Cover art for Oh Well lyrics by Fiona Apple

she says stuff the first time and life the second. listen close. gorgeous song.

Cover art for Oh Well lyrics by Fiona Apple

wow

Cover art for Oh Well lyrics by Fiona Apple

this song great i love it from the frist time i listen to it ......the line i was looking for calm affection you were serching my inperfections is the best this song is right up there with i know love ridden and never is a promise why wont thay come out with the fucking album if a lot of wont to listen to ???

 
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