Different Drum
The Lemonheads Lyrics
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Oh, can't you tell by the way I run
Ev'ry time you make eyes at me. Wo oh.
You cry and you moan and say it will work out.
But honey child I've got my doubts.
You can't see the forest for the trees.
Oh, don't get me wrong. It's not that I'm knockin'.
It's just that I'm not in the market
For a girl who wants to love only me.
Yes, and I ain't sayin' you ain't pretty.
All I'm sayin's I'm not ready for any person,
Place or thing to try and pull the reins in on me.
So Goodbye, I'll be leavin'.
I see no sense in the cryin' and grievin'.
We'll both live a lot longer if you live without me.
Oh, don't get me wrong. It's not that I'm knockin'.
It's just that I'm not in the market
For a girl who wants to love only me.
Yes, and I ain't sayin' you ain't pretty.
All I'm sayin's I'm not ready for any person,
Place or thing to try and pull the reins in on me.
So Goodbye, I'll be leavin'.
I see no sense in the cryin' and grievin'.
We'll both live a lot longer if you live without me.
The Lemonheads's Different Drum is a song about wanting to live life on your own terms, and not be held back by anyone or anything. The opening lines "You and I travel to the beat of a diff'rent drum" are a metaphor for the fact that the singer and the person he is addressing have different priorities and goals in life. They don't see eye to eye on what is important, and this causes tension between them. The singer acknowledges that the person he is addressing might not understand him, as he sings "Oh, can't you tell by the way I run Ev'ry time you make eyes at me. Wo oh."
Despite the differences between them, the person the singer is addressing wants to make the relationship work. They try to convince the singer that things will work out, but he remains skeptical. He tells them "But honey child I've got my doubts. You can't see the forest for the trees." The singer seems frustrated that the other person can't understand his perspective, and doesn't want to be tied down or held back in any way. He sings "All I'm sayin's I'm not ready for any person, Place or thing to try and pull the reins in on me."
In the end, the singer decides to leave the relationship, believing that both parties will be better off without each other. He sings "So Goodbye, I'll be leavin'. I see no sense in the cryin' and grievin'. We'll both live a lot longer if you live without me." The song speaks to the human desire for individualism and self-reliance, and shows the challenges that arise when two people want different things out of life.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I travel to the beat of a diff'rent drum.
You and I are fundamentally different in how we approach life.
Oh, can't you tell by the way I run
It's evident in my behavior that I'm not interested in a traditional relationship.
Ev'ry time you make eyes at me. Wo oh.
You continually express interest in me, but I don't reciprocate your feelings.
You cry and you moan and say it will work out.
You're emotional and hopeful, believing that our differences won't be a problem.
But honey child I've got my doubts.
I'm skeptical that we can overcome our differences and make a relationship work.
You can't see the forest for the trees.
You're too focused on your immediate emotions to understand the bigger picture of our situation.
Oh, don't get me wrong. It's not that I'm knockin'.
I'm not criticizing your desire for a relationship, but I can't provide what you're looking for.
It's just that I'm not in the market
I'm not currently interested in pursuing a romantic relationship.
For a girl who wants to love only me.
I'm not looking for someone who wants a monogamous relationship with me specifically.
Yes, and I ain't sayin' you ain't pretty.
I acknowledge your attractiveness, but it's not enough to change how I feel.
All I'm sayin's I'm not ready for any person,
I'm not prepared to commit to anyone at this time.
Place or thing to try and pull the reins in on me.
I don't want anyone, or anything, to try and control or restrict me in any way.
So Goodbye, I'll be leavin'.
I'm ending things between us and moving on.
I see no sense in the cryin' and grievin'.
I don't see the value in getting upset or emotional about this situation.
We'll both live a lot longer if you live without me.
It's better for both of us if we go our separate ways and find happiness elsewhere.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael Nesmith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gari Baldi Dewa
You and I travel to the beat of a different drum
Oh, can't you tell by the way I run
Every time you make eyes at me
You cry, and moan, and say it'll work out
But honey child, I've got my doubts
You can't see the forest for the trees
Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'd knock it
It's just that I, I'm not in the market
For a girl who wants to love only me
And I ain't saying you ain't pretty
All I'm saying's I'm not ready
For any person place or thing
To try and pull the reins in on me
So, goodbye, I don't believe
And I see no sense
In this crying and grieving
We'll both live a lot longer
If you live without me
Richard McGeough
One of my favourite cover versions of all time. Tight, heartfelt and a complete reinvention of the original. Really quite wonderful.
B. Runettepet
Such a great song. RIP Michael Nesmith.
Rob O'Shea
Played this 12” to death back in the day. Such a tune…RIP Mike.
Erasureboyboy
Brings back such wonderful memories of my teenage years. I love this forever.
jerry murphy
Love love love this version.
System Of Combat NJ
Love this version of Mike's song!!
Jeanne maria Griffin
Brilliant version
Dave Walkden
RIP Mike Nesmith.
Gari Baldi Dewa
You and I travel to the beat of a different drum
Oh, can't you tell by the way I run
Every time you make eyes at me
You cry, and moan, and say it'll work out
But honey child, I've got my doubts
You can't see the forest for the trees
Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'd knock it
It's just that I, I'm not in the market
For a girl who wants to love only me
And I ain't saying you ain't pretty
All I'm saying's I'm not ready
For any person place or thing
To try and pull the reins in on me
So, goodbye, I don't believe
And I see no sense
In this crying and grieving
We'll both live a lot longer
If you live without me
lalsiam k
thanks ryder