Tell Her No
Tennis Lyrics

The lyrics to Tennis's "Tell Her No" are a plea to a potential love interest, urging them to resist the advances of a woman who belongs to someone else. The singer knows that the woman in question might use her charms and try to lure the object of their affection away, but they implore them with a series of repeated "no's" to refrain from falling under her spell. The singer's fear and insecurity about losing their partner is palpable, and they acknowledge that the woman they love might be the type to "throw their love away" - but that doesn't change the singer's need to keep them close. In a final warning, the singer reminds the other person that if the woman tells them "I love you," they should remember that she said the same thing to the singer - thus reinforcing their claim on her affections.

The song's message is one of possessiveness and jealousy, but it's tempered by a sense of vulnerability and woundedness. The singer knows that their love might not be enough to keep the other person from straying, but they remain resolute in their desire to protect what's theirs. The repetition of "no" underscores this urgency, while the lingering doubts in the singer's mind add a layer of complexity to the emotions being expressed. Ultimately, "Tell Her No" is a song about the lengths we'll go to in order to hold onto the things we value most, even when we know they might slip away from us.