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Mean Lyrics
You, with your words like knives and swords and weapons that you use against me
You, have knocked me off my feet again, got me feelin' like a nothing
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard callin' me out when I'm wounded
You, pickin' on the weaker man
You can take me down with just one single blow
But you don't know what you don't know
Someday I'll be livin' in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hear me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
You, with your switching sides and your wildfire lies and your humiliation
You, have pointed out my flaws again, as if don't already see them
I walk with my head down, tryna block you out 'cause I never impress you
I just wanna feel okay again
I bet you got pushed around, somebody made you cold
But the cycle ends right now 'cause you can't lead me down that road
And you don't know what you don't know
Someday I'll be livin' in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hear me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
And I can see you years from now in a bar
Talkin' over a football game
With that same big loud opinion but
Nobody's listening
Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
Drunk and grumblin on about how I can't sing
All you are is mean
All you are is mean
And a liar
And pathetic
And alone in life
And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean
But someday I'll be livin' in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean, yeah
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hear me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
Someday I'll be livin' in a big old city
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hear me
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
You, have knocked me off my feet again, got me feelin' like a nothing
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard callin' me out when I'm wounded
You, pickin' on the weaker man
You can take me down with just one single blow
But you don't know what you don't know
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hear me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
You, have pointed out my flaws again, as if don't already see them
I walk with my head down, tryna block you out 'cause I never impress you
I just wanna feel okay again
I bet you got pushed around, somebody made you cold
But the cycle ends right now 'cause you can't lead me down that road
And you don't know what you don't know
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hear me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
Talkin' over a football game
With that same big loud opinion but
Nobody's listening
Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
Drunk and grumblin on about how I can't sing
All you are is mean
And a liar
And pathetic
And alone in life
And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean
And all you're ever gonna be is mean, yeah
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hear me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
Someday I'll be livin' in a big old city
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hear me
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
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I can't believe people are accusing this song of being childish. Taylor was bullied in school right? The way I see it this song isn't about Kanye at the VMA's but about standing up to bullies now how is that childish?
This song is a little childish. The story behind this song is that Bob Lefsetz, who is a music industry critic with little to no filter at times, criticized Swift's performance at the 2010 Grammys in his blog. He actually does praise Swift and her album Fearless and he does offer his own opinion on the matter along with counter arguments to what he predicts will or won't come true. In fact, the review he gives isn't all that "mean" except for the fact that he does call Swift "too young and dumb." Though I will admit that that statement...
This song is a little childish. The story behind this song is that Bob Lefsetz, who is a music industry critic with little to no filter at times, criticized Swift's performance at the 2010 Grammys in his blog. He actually does praise Swift and her album Fearless and he does offer his own opinion on the matter along with counter arguments to what he predicts will or won't come true. In fact, the review he gives isn't all that "mean" except for the fact that he does call Swift "too young and dumb." Though I will admit that that statement by him is uncalled for, he does make a lot of good points that apply to the music industry as a whole and not just Swift herself. He says that she is part, not the sole resident, of a "dustbin of teen phenoms. Who we expect to burn brightly and then fade away. From New Kids On The Block to Backstreet Boys to Miley Cyrus." Honestly, we don't see the longevity of artists that we used to and they seem to be in it more for the sprint than the marathon. He also does site that some of these artists do advance their careers in other ways but it typically isn't in the form of main stream music.
As for the performance itself, it is difficult to find one with decent audio but once you see it you will for the most part understand Lefsetz's opinion. I personally don't really care for Swift one way or another and I do think that her music is a little over hyped. If her career does have the stamina that is needed today, she will definitely come into her own more and be more consistent in performances but she still has her off and awkward moments as of now.
The general lyrics and the video of the song are actually quite inspiring to those who are actually down trodden and need that boost to get themselves up. However, this message loses its momentum when you take into account the inspiration of this song and the fact that the events that led up to it were when Taylor Swift was on the Grammys already, had made a name for herself, and had won album of the year. I'm sorry, but if someone's life was going that splendidly at the age of 20, I hardly think that the objective opinion of one critic should have that much impact.
And just because I'm a stickler for demonstrating my point: -Link to the article on Leftsetz's blog: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2010/02/01/grammys/ -Link to the performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4s4-wEMWAY&feature=related -Songfacts: http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=21219 -Article about Leftsetz: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2012/02/mf_lefsetz/all/1
I love this song. I've moved schools now, but this is what I told myself every time somebody called me a "nerd" or a "freak" and now Taylor's put it in a song. I especially love the little comment "rambling on about how I can't sing" - it shows up not only her bullies, but all the petty critics who don't have anything intelligent to say. I love you, Taylor!
I agree with you. I hate it when people point out my funny little quirks and habits. Its satisfying to think that they will not get far in life if they keep up the remarks.
I agree with you. I hate it when people point out my funny little quirks and habits. Its satisfying to think that they will not get far in life if they keep up the remarks.
Lol she has this but also wrote Better Than Revenge which is all about slut-shaming a girl for "stealing" a boyfriend who willingly left her. Isn't Taylor too old for such pettiness?
Yeah, it's "big enough so you can't hit me." Pretty sure it's about a critic who wouldn't lay off her to the point where they were pretty much just bullying her. At first I thought it seemed a little childish, but now I have to admit that this is how I would react to someone determined to make me look bad. This song seems like more of how she was affected by the jerk, and not so much just an angry message to them.. I don't know. Kudos to her for not letting him/her get her down though.
lots of people say this is a childish song as you like,but in my opinion every one can relate this song about how someone in your life bring you down and make you feel like nothing or worthless so you keep saying in your mind 'i'll work hard in my life,and i'll be more successful and all you every is gonna me lame.and mean unless that person changed and became a better person this is a great song,great job, Taylor
i meant ' ever gonna me lame.and mean' sorry,lol
i meant ' ever gonna me lame.and mean' sorry,lol
be is
be is
I think the song is about Bob Lefsetz and how he told her she killed her career overnight and consigned herself to dustbin of teen phenoms. After the CMA Awards in 2009 he declared that country music was dead at the hands of Taylor Swift.
people keep on saying that this song it mean itself, but i just don't think you get the point. hate is a bad thing, but taylor has much more hate than people think. She is a amazing singer, and was just driving out anger with the song. If you listen to it, it doesn't seem mean, just the victm taking a stand.
I thought this sounded a little childish, but it's great. I can totally relate to it, as can anyone else who's ever been bullied. I suppose in some lines, I could see how it could be a boy she's talking about. But I really thought of it as a girl. A really big, mean, girl. ;)
"I bet you got pushed around. Somebody made you cold, but the cycle ends right now 'cause you can't lead me down that road."
One minute later: "All you are is mean, and a liar, and PATHETIC, and alone in life."
sigh You know, sometimes I believe that she doesn't really think these things through. Because that line is...yeah, just a tad hypocritical. Plus, considering "Better Than Revenge" and "Speak Now", I'd venture to say that she does wander down that road every once in awhile. Granted, so does everyone else in the world...but they at least acknowledge it. Admittedly though, the song is fun, and the line about she can't sing actually made me burst out laughing the first time I heard it. lol. This girl's got a lot of nerve.
oh hush. ugh
oh hush. ugh
i dont think when she says "the cycle ends right now" she means she not going to say anything
i dont think when she says "the cycle ends right now" she means she not going to say anything
i think she saying how she wont push someone around and make them sad. she says "i bet you got pushed around, somebody made you cold" shes saying someone made him that way, and hes did that to her but shes not going to end up like he did, a mean pathetic loser. shes going to treat others with respect
i think she saying how she wont push someone around and make them sad. she says "i bet you got pushed around, somebody made you cold" shes saying someone made him that way, and hes did that to her but shes not going to end up like he did, a mean pathetic loser. shes going to treat others with respect
and each song has a different story behind them, you cant contradict each song on the albumb...
and each song has a different story behind them, you cant contradict each song on the albumb to another
"oh hush. ugh"
"oh hush. ugh"
What a cutting argument, I'm glad you took the the time to type that out.
What a cutting argument, I'm glad you took the the time to type that out.
And Nicole, I think you mean "compare", not "contradict". I don't see how your first point differs from what I said, but as for the second, I think it's perfectly fair to call someone a hypocrite when they champion an anti-bully message in one song and then proceed to rip another girl's character and reputation to shreds in the next. If that's considered "treating others with respect", then yikes.
And Nicole, I think you mean "compare", not "contradict". I don't see how your first point differs from what I said, but as for the second, I think it's perfectly fair to call someone a hypocrite when they champion an anti-bully message in one song and then proceed to rip another girl's character and reputation to shreds in the next. If that's considered "treating others with respect", then yikes.
I'm a big Taylor fan,...
I'm a big Taylor fan, by the way. I will just never be able to get behind this song.
Yeah, I definitely agree with you (ditalacroix). She's a hypocrite and a lot of songs are quite mean (a good example is like you mentioned, this song and "Better Than Revenge"), but if you ever mention it you get bashed by some of her fans (I am one, by the way) as if you have to agree to everything she does just because you like her music.
Yeah, I definitely agree with you (ditalacroix). She's a hypocrite and a lot of songs are quite mean (a good example is like you mentioned, this song and "Better Than Revenge"), but if you ever mention it you get bashed by some of her fans (I am one, by the way) as if you have to agree to everything she does just because you like her music.
By the way, I heard this is about a reporter, does anyone know what the person actually wrote about her that was so awful?
By the way, I heard this is about a reporter, does anyone know what the person actually wrote about her that was so awful?
My take on it is that let's say a boy who is gay is bullied everyday for it, sooner or later he will look at it and be like, well why should I care what they think? They're just mean, and pathetic for making fun of me for being different. I don't think he's really going to be oh so happy that they bullied him and say how nice they are, And of course we all get a little rude sometimes, but how is she supposed to admit it? make a song saying, yes I do get mean sometimes, I do...
My take on it is that let's say a boy who is gay is bullied everyday for it, sooner or later he will look at it and be like, well why should I care what they think? They're just mean, and pathetic for making fun of me for being different. I don't think he's really going to be oh so happy that they bullied him and say how nice they are, And of course we all get a little rude sometimes, but how is she supposed to admit it? make a song saying, yes I do get mean sometimes, I do say some rude things, but hey I'm human. I'm sure anyone is like this, and she just isn't as open about that side because she understands and respects the fact she has very young fans.
well this arguent escalated quickly
well this arguent escalated quickly
I think this song is childish but thats why I love it! Everyone has someone that they just want to say this to. It's kinda like how do you like me now by Toby Keith.. childish but great!
So true :)
So true :)