Jonathan, call again
Take me to Coney Island
Take me on the train
Kiss me while I calculate
And calibrate and heaven's sakes
Don't make me explain

Just tolerate my little fist
Tugging on your forest chest
I don't wanna talk about
I don't wanna talk about anything
I don't wanna talk about
I don't wanna talk about anything

Jonathan, anything and anyone that you have done
Has gotta be alright with me
If she's part of the reason you are how you are
She's alright with me

Just tolerate my little fist
Tugging on your forest chest
I don't wanna talk about
I don't wanna talk about anything
I don't wanna talk about
I don't wanna talk about anything

You like to captain
A capsized ship
But I like watching you live

Jonathan, call again
Take me to Coney Island
Take me on the train
Kiss me while I calculate
And calibrate and heaven's sakes
Don't make me explain

Just tolerate my little fist
Tugging on your forest chest
I don't wanna talk about
I don't wanna talk about anything
I don't wanna talk about
I don't wanna talk about anything

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Jonathan" by Fiona Apple appear to be about a woman who is in love with a man named Jonathan. She wants him to take her to Coney Island on a train and kiss her while she calculates and calibrates, without asking her to explain herself. She wants Jonathan to tolerate her little fist tugging on his forest chest, indicating that she wants him to accept her for who she is.

The woman tells Jonathan that she doesn't want to talk about anything or anyone he's been with, as long as they don't affect their relationship negatively. The woman seems to understand that Jonathan may have been with other people before her, but wants to move past it and focus on their own relationship. She also admires Jonathan's strength to captain a capsized ship and just enjoys watching him live his life.

Overall, the lyrics of "Jonathan" are a testament to the complexities of love and relationships, with the woman accepting Jonathan for who he is, while also acknowledging the potential difficulties that may arise due to their pasts and personalities.

Line by Line Meaning

Jonathan, call again
The singer is requesting Jonathan to call her again.

Take me to Coney Island
The singer wants to go to Coney Island with Jonathan.

Take me on the train
The singer wants to go to Coney Island with Jonathan by train.

Kiss me while I calculate
The artist wants Jonathan to kiss her while she is busy with her calculations.

And calibrate and heaven's sakes
The artist is trying to focus on her calculations and exclaims “heaven's sakes” to ask Jonathan to not distract her.

Don't make me explain
The singer is requesting Jonathan to not ask her for an explanation about her calculations.

Just tolerate my little fist Tugging on your forest chest
The singer wants Jonathan to tolerate her little gestures of affection towards him.

I don't wanna talk about I don't wanna talk about anything
The artist does not want to have any conversation.

Jonathan, anything and anyone that you have done Has gotta be alright with me
The artist tells Jonathan that she is okay with anything he has done and anyone he is involved with.

If she's part of the reason you are how you are She's alright with me
The artist is saying that if someone is the reason Jonathan is the way he is, she is fine with that person.

You like to captain A capsized ship
The singer observes that Jonathan likes to be in control of a situation even when it is failing.

But I like watching you live
The artist admits that she enjoys watching Jonathan despite his flaws.

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