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You Can't Be Too Strong Lyrics
Did they tear it out with talons of steel
And give you a shot, so that you wouldn't feel?
And washed it away as if it wasn't real?
It's just a mistake I won't have to face
Don't give it a name, don't give it a place
Don't give it a chance, it's lucky in a way
It must have felt strange to find me inside you
I hadn't intended to stay
If you want to keep it right, put it to sleep at night
Squeeze it until it could say
You can't be too strong
You can't be too strong
You can't be too strong
Can't be too strong
You decide what's wrong
Well I ain't gonna cry, I'm gonna rejoice
And shout myself dry and go see the boys
They'll laugh when I say I left it overseas
Yeah babe, I know it gets dark, down by Luna Park
But everybody else is squeezing out a spark
That happened in the heat, somewhere in the dark, in the dark
The doctor gets nervous completing the service
He's all rubber gloves and no head
Yes, he fumbles the light switch, it's just another minor hitch
Wishes to God he was dead
But you can't be too strong
You can't be too strong
You can't be too strong
Can't be too strong
You decide what's wrong
Can't be too hard
Too tough, too rough
Too right, too wrong
And you can't be too strong
Baby can't be too right
And give you a shot, so that you wouldn't feel?
And washed it away as if it wasn't real?
Don't give it a name, don't give it a place
Don't give it a chance, it's lucky in a way
I hadn't intended to stay
If you want to keep it right, put it to sleep at night
Squeeze it until it could say
You can't be too strong
You can't be too strong
Can't be too strong
You decide what's wrong
And shout myself dry and go see the boys
They'll laugh when I say I left it overseas
But everybody else is squeezing out a spark
That happened in the heat, somewhere in the dark, in the dark
He's all rubber gloves and no head
Yes, he fumbles the light switch, it's just another minor hitch
Wishes to God he was dead
You can't be too strong
You can't be too strong
Can't be too strong
You decide what's wrong
Too tough, too rough
Too right, too wrong
And you can't be too strong
Baby can't be too right
Song Info
Submitted by
songmeanings On Feb 06, 2012
More Graham Parker
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"It's a deeply emotional song that is not making any rules for anyone at all. But people do see it that way." --Graham Parker on whether this song is anti-abortion.
I've always loved this song, because it's not glib, not prescriptive, and has the line, "You decide what's wrong," which implies that you also decide what's right, i.e. the choice is yours. Graham Parker is progressive/liberal, incidentally, much to the consternation of people who hold this up as an anti-choice song. It's definitely a song about conflicting emotions, and I think that's what makes it so profound. It always affects me when I hear it.
@sharkycharming I just created an account so I could reply to your excellent read of this song. I've always loved it, too, for all the reason that you outline so well. Not only a great song, it's one of the best reflections on abortion of any kind that I've ever encountered.
@sharkycharming I just created an account so I could reply to your excellent read of this song. I've always loved it, too, for all the reason that you outline so well. Not only a great song, it's one of the best reflections on abortion of any kind that I've ever encountered.
"it's lucky in a way." Truth right there. Basically, a song about abortion, but more detailed than that.