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Don't Tell Our Friends About Me Lyrics

The older I am, the wiser I'm not
and I felt ashamed of how angry I got
I know I was not getting my message across
I know you can't stand it when that's how I talk
when I summon a duel or when I brandish a thought
I was wrong to turn honesty against you
and sure, some of them could use a good talk

but babe, don't tell all our friends about me
Please, baby, don't tell our friends about me

I could sleep on the couch if you want me to
or I can be a good dog and just sit with you
Do whatever it is that you ask me to do
'til you forgive me and I forgive you
Yeah, I know you got the beating but I caught a few
Frankly, I don't know what else I can confess to you
Lovers may quarrel and spar sometimes,

but babe, don't tell all our friends about me
Please, baby, don't tell our friends about me

I know I fucked up, I know I fucked up,
I know I fucked up, I know I fucked up,
I know I fucked up, I know I fucked up,
I know I fucked up, I know I fucked up,
but please, baby, don't tell all our friends about me

You said you just needed some time to adjust
It's been 48 hours and 3 weeks and 2 months
Hummingbirds hum and workerbees buzz
You put too much confidence in the people you trust
All the enemies and friends, they'll all tend to judge
and I'll write songs that'll help me deal with issues,
and sure, some people may hear too much

but babe, they don't tell all our friends about us
You know it makes them talk too much
so please, baby, don't tell our friends about me
(All your friends aren't my friends anymore)
Please, baby, don't tell our friends about me

Yes, I know I fucked up, I know I fucked up,
I know I fucked up, I know I fucked up,
I know I fucked up, I know I fucked up,
I know I fucked up, I know I fucked up,
but please, baby, don't tell all our friends about me
Song Info
Submitted by
talihinathrees On Jul 31, 2013
4 Meanings

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Cover art for Don't Tell Our Friends About Me lyrics by Blake Mills

On first listen it seems like he's talking about a secret relationship that he doesn't want his (and her) friends to know about. But, having heard this song a lot of times now, it's not about a secret love affair- it's about a man realizing that he has acted selfish to a woman he loves, dealing with the embarrassment, and apologizing.

The guy in the song is embarrassed because he has realized that he is more selfish than he thought. Or at least, more than he wanted to admit. He really likes the girl and things have been going smoothly, but because of an argument or some altercation (which i do not believe was physical) his ugly side was shown. I think the song is about an ill-tempered man playing the "nice guy" role really well, up until a certain point where he snaps, and the girl sees that's he is actually a jerk on the inside. But because he cares about the girl, he is pleading with her to work things out with him ("I could be a good dog and just sit with you").

It's a beautiful song. I love a well-done apology song. This is one of them. A lot of times, apologies can really bring on the cheese when expressed through song... but this one hits the nail on the head.

Song Meaning

@bluecassette there is nothing, not a single word, in the song about a secret relationship or cheating. The song only describes a conflict and the feeling of being embarrassed about the way the narrator acted while upset during the conflict (physical or not). The song also does not say male or female. We know the songwriter is a male. Your description of this song sounds to be more about you than this song.

Cover art for Don't Tell Our Friends About Me lyrics by Blake Mills

This sounds like a man who got angry during an argument and hit his girl and then feels incredibly guilty afterwards.

"i'm ashamed of how angry i got.." "when i summon a duel.." "i know you got the beating.." "lovers may quarrel and spar.." "i know i fucked up ... (ad infinitum) "don't tell your friends about me"

it seems like he's feeling guilty and embarrassed that he resorted to physical violence and he is apologizing between making excuses and is ultimately concerned about how their friends will view him if they found out.

My Interpretation
Cover art for Don't Tell Our Friends About Me lyrics by Blake Mills

Over… move on.. go homr

Cover art for Don't Tell Our Friends About Me lyrics by Blake Mills

At first I assumed this song was about her catching him cheating. But the more I listen, the more it sounds like he was cheating with another man.

I think it's because he uses the words "about me" instead of "about what I did."

I could be wrong, of course!

My Interpretation

Interesting! I interpret it as about him lashing out at his girlfriend and regretting having said something really cruel, at least from what I gathered from the first verse

 
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