4 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A

She's Given Up Talking Lyrics

She’s given up talking
Don’t say a word
Even in the classroom
Not a dickie bird
Unlike other children
She’s seen and never heard
She’s given up talking
Don’t say a word

You see her in the playground
Standing on her own
Everybody wonders
Why she’s all alone
Someone made her angry
Someone’s got her scared
She’s given up talking
Don’t say a word

Ah but when she comes home
Its yap-a-yap-yap
Words are running freely
Like the water from a tap
Her brothers and her sisters
Cant get a word in edgeways
But when she’s back at school again
She goes into a daze

Ah but when she comes home
Its yap-a-yap-yap
Words are running freely
Like the water from a tap
Her brothers and her sisters
Cant get a word in edgeways
But when she’s back at school again
She goes into a daze

She’s given up talking
Don’t say a word
Even in the classroom
Not a dickie bird
Unlike other children
She’s seen and never heard
She’s given up talking
Don’t say a word

She’s given up talking
She don’t say a word

Don’t say a word
4 Meanings

Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.

Add your thoughts...
Cover art for She's Given Up Talking lyrics by Paul McCartney

Overall, if you don't want the lyrics to have any real significance this isn't a bad song. It would have been better if it had actually meant something socially. You're immediately drawn in from the first sentence. The well established dark mood sets the listener up for something that might be lurking in this girl's personal life. You want to hear that maybe she is abused or bewitched or something - but no. The chorus contradicts the verse and at the end you come away with nothing. It's disappointing actually. Another toss-off by Paul.

This song does mean something socially! lt describes selective mutism perfectly. And why do you think the song contradicts itself?? The key problem with SM is "failure of speech in certain situations". This basically means that she acts one way in school, and another way at home. And btw, a person can have this without being abused, bullied etc. Nice work, Paul!

Cover art for She's Given Up Talking lyrics by Paul McCartney

I'm a huge fan of haunting, childlike melodies, but I can't get over the ridiculous rhymes. "yap a yap yap" and "water from a tap"? Couldn't think of a different image? And the shoehorning of "edgeways" onto a line where it doesn't fit? I can't listen without making a face.

My Opinion
Cover art for She's Given Up Talking lyrics by Paul McCartney

This song is about a girl with selective mutism. She speaks freely at home but is unable to speak in social situations (like school).

Cover art for She's Given Up Talking lyrics by Paul McCartney

I Think The Commenter Tweeze Who Said That This Song Is Just Another Toss Off Is Wrong The Second Verse Says That Someone Made Her Angry Someone\'s Got Her Scared Then It Says When She Comes Home It\'s Yap a Yap Yap To Me That Would Mean That Some Form Of Trauma Is Occurring At The School Whether It\'s Bullying Or Abuse By A Teacher Or Other Faculty Member Not Necessarily A Toss Off Maybe It Just Needed A Different Perspective

My Opinion
 
Questions and Answers

Ask specific questions and get answers to unlock more indepth meanings & facts.

Ask a question...