Smotherin' Me
Imelda May Lyrics
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You're always following me
No matter what I do
Boy, you give me misery
You're smotherin' me baby
You're smotherin' me baby
You're smotherin' me baby
Can't even breathe when I'm with you
You hang over my shoulder
Whenever I try to talk
You cling into my arms
So may just make it harder to walk ?
You're smotherin' me baby
You're smotherin' me baby
You're smotherin' me baby
Can't even breathe when I'm with you
I see all the girls
Are laughing with their friends
I wish that we were over
So I could begin my life again
You think that you can own me
That I belong to you
See, you never really know me
Oh my God, you don't have a clue
You're smotherin' me baby
You're smotherin' me baby
You're smotherin' me baby
Can't even breathe when I'm with you
You holding on with claws
You think you're making me stay
The more you put your pawns
They make you push me away
In Imelda May's song "Smotherin' Me", the singer details the struggles of being in a relationship with a man who is not granting her any space. The opening lines reveal that the man is constantly following her, regardless of where she goes. He makes her feel utterly miserable, no matter the efforts she puts in. This emotional abuse has left her feeling suffocated, which she makes clear by repeating the lines "You're smotherin' me baby, Can't even breathe when I'm with you."
The second verse further adds to her dilemma, he is not only encroaching on her personal space but also on her social life. Whenever she tries to communicate with anyone, he is hanging over her shoulder, and when she tries to walk away from him, he clings to her, making it even harder for her to move. She looks on as other girls laugh and enjoy the company of their friends, wishing that she too could have the same freedom.
The chorus echoes again, emphasizing how he is suffocating her, holding on to her with claws, thinking that he is making her stay, but in fact, he is pushing her away. The song ultimately presents a passionate portrayal of a relationship that serves as a trap for one person, and it tells the sad story of a woman who is yet to find a way to extricate herself from her abuser.
Line by Line Meaning
No matter where I go
Regardless of my location
You're always following me
You're consistently watching my movements
No matter what I do
Irrespective of my actions
Boy, you give me misery
You bring me discomfort and pain
You're smotherin' me baby
Your behavior is suffocating and overwhelming
You hang over my shoulder
You peer over my shoulder
Whenever I try to talk
During any conversation I try to have
You cling into my arms
You hold onto me tightly
So may just make it harder to walk ?
Does it hinder my ability to move properly?
Can't even breathe when I'm with you
Your presence is stifling and oppressive
I see all the girls
I observe other women
Are laughing with their friends
Socializing with their peers in a jovial manner
I wish that we were over
I desire our relationship to be finished
So I could begin my life again
So that I may start anew
You think that you can own me
You believe you have control over me
That I belong to you
That I am your possession
See, you never really know me
You lack a true understanding of who I am
Oh my God, you don't have a clue
You're completely oblivious
You holding on with claws
You're grasping onto me tightly
You think you're making me stay
You wrongly assume you're keeping me around
The more you put your pawns
The more you manipulate situations
They make you push me away
Your actions result in me wanting to distance myself from you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: IMELDA MAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind