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You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told) Lyrics
In some respects
I suspect you've got a respectable side
When pushed and pulled and pressured
You seldom run and hide
But its for someone elses benefit
Not for what you wanna do
Until I realize that you've realized
I'm gonna say these words to you
You don't know what love is
You do as you're told
Just as a child at ten might act
But you're far too old
You're not hopeless or helpless
and I hate to sound cold
But you dont know what love is...
You just do as you're told
I can see you man
cant help but win
any problems that may arise
but in his mind there can be no sin
if you never criticize
you just keep on repeating
all those empty "I love you's"
until you say you deserve better
I'm gonna lay right into you
You don't know what love is
you just do as you're told
just as a child of ten might act
but your far too old
your not hopeless or helpless
and i hate to sound cold
but you don't know what love is
no you don't know what love is
no you don't know what love is
you just do as you're told
you do as you're told
yeah
I suspect you've got a respectable side
When pushed and pulled and pressured
You seldom run and hide
But its for someone elses benefit
Not for what you wanna do
Until I realize that you've realized
I'm gonna say these words to you
You do as you're told
Just as a child at ten might act
But you're far too old
You're not hopeless or helpless
and I hate to sound cold
But you dont know what love is...
You just do as you're told
cant help but win
any problems that may arise
but in his mind there can be no sin
if you never criticize
you just keep on repeating
all those empty "I love you's"
until you say you deserve better
I'm gonna lay right into you
you just do as you're told
just as a child of ten might act
but your far too old
your not hopeless or helpless
and i hate to sound cold
but you don't know what love is
no you don't know what love is
no you don't know what love is
you do as you're told
yeah
Song Info
Submitted by
thisapparatus69 On May 31, 2007
More The White Stripes
Seven Nation Army
Fell In Love With A Girl
Blue Orchid
Icky Thump
Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground
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I think the meaning is fairly obvious. It reminds me a great deal of one of my friends. She jumps to every command that her man has for her. To me this isn't love because some of his demands are completely ridiculous or just plain out selfish. If she really loved him she'd help him see his faults and better himself, otherwise he thinks he is perfect the way he is. The same for him. He should help her be a better person. Instead they are gliding through, and accepting what they have. For the other its not so bad because he gets whatever he wants, and most likely doesn't appreciate it.
I'm with Jackieboy37. It's sounds like a good friend is showing his support for a women who is in a dead-end and perhaps abusive relationship where her opinions don't matter. He is going to continue to point out this obvious truth, no matter how harsh she may find it, until she advocates for herself.
i think this is about a macho guy who doesn't know what love is. he just knows how to act tough and intimidate. something along those lines. im too lazy to get into full analysis right now. but what i do want to say is THIS ALBUM IS AMAZING. jack white is a genius, the riffs, melodies, everything on this album is soo deliciously addicting.
its not about a guy, its about a girl that's a pushover. she just "loves" her man because she thinks she has to.
the line should be: "I can see your man" also, some of the "your"s should be "you're"
the first verse is clearly about forest gump.
jackieboy has it spot on, this song seems to show a greater ability by jack white to write charmingly catchy pop songs, not that he has never been capable, but this song just tops even 'my doorbell' as a hit .this song will be hit with mainstream audience
oh myyyy i cannot wait for the album to come out!! this song is great!
this might be my fav off the new album. IMO its directed to people who overuse the word love and Jack is telling them "Please you don't know what love is". I think its a great topic for a song
Great song, very Zeppelinish imo(As is alot of the album).