Jamelia
Caribou Lyrics
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Tell me what I'm here for
If I can't be the one, tell her what I've done
What good can I be?
Did I not do enough to save the two of us?
What more could I give her?
What more could I do to see her point of view?
Why can't I believe her?
Sometimes the things they say
I can't take it no more
They think you've gone too far
Oh, oh
Oh, Jamelia
You got to to go away
And take time
Oh, oh
Sometimes the things they say
I can't take it no more
They think you've gone too far
Oh, oh
Oh, Jamelia
You got to go away
And take time
Oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
In Caribou's song "Jamelia," the lyrics portray the singer's desperation and confusion over his identity and purpose. The repeated question, "If I can't be a man, tell me what I am?" suggests a struggle with traditional masculinity and what it means to be a "man." The frustration with not being able to be "the one" and the questioning of what he could have done to save a relationship adds to the singer's sense of inadequacy and helplessness.
The chorus, which repeats the name "Jamelia" and urges her to "go away" and "take time," suggests that she may be the cause of the singer's distress. However, it is unclear whether Jamelia is a person or a metaphorical representation of a larger societal issue. The singer's struggles with identity and the external pressures he faces from others are hinted at in the line, "Sometimes the things they say, I can't take it no more."
Overall, the lyrics to "Jamelia" convey a complex and subtle exploration of themes related to identity, masculinity, and relationships, leaving much open to interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
If I can't be a man, tell me what I am?
I feel emasculated and lacking in purpose, so please give me a new sense of identity.
Tell me what I'm here for
What's my reason for existing if I can't fulfill my traditional gender role?
If I can't be the one, tell her what I've done
If I'm not enough for her, what can I do to be better?
What good can I be?
Am I worthless and powerless if I can't meet her expectations?
Did I not do enough to save the two of us?
I'm plagued with guilt and wondering if I could have done more to prevent our problems.
What more could I give her?
I want to know how to be a better partner and meet her needs.
What more could I do to see her point of view?
I'm struggling to understand where she's coming from and how to make things right.
Why can't I believe her?
I'm grappling with trust issues and finding it hard to take her at her word.
Sometimes the things they say
I can't take it no more
They think you've gone too far
Oh, oh
Other people are criticizing our relationship and it's overwhelming me.
Oh, Jamelia
You got to to go away
And take time
Oh, oh
I need some space to figure things out and come to terms with my insecurities about our relationship.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
This chorus is a repetition of the previous two stanzas, emphasizing that the singer's concerns are ongoing and pervasive.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Daniel Victor Snaith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sistertiger
there's something about this song, it's just hypnotic and then builds up to absolute stupendousness!
OsttMusic
One of my favorite Caribou tracks. Just love the surprise orchestra in the middle.
Olina Harris
I was wondering what that was :D
Augusto
Sensível, onírico e fabuloso!
Dallas Tropical
This video got made by popular demand, obviously. One of the best tunes of the last 10 years.
Diana Marcela
Amo esta canción! <3
Ian B.
It seemed like the bird was trying to warn her--"Oh Jamelia, you've got to go away!" and demonstrating it by flying freely through the air--that her ex-husband was coming to kill her. Which, disturbingly enough, is the cry of his ex-husband, who wants to exterminate her. Also, a really neat visual effect near the end showing him grabbing her as she was almost going to escape (at the last synthesizer downward scale, when the main groove cuts out)--and cutting to a black screen. Very tense.
Ryan Hartley
Love this song, nice video!
Francisco Uranga
What a memories! Ending 2013 listening this at the window! Just lonely music i love!
rafa reyna
I'd like to hear a mash-up between this song and Lykke Li's Jerome n.n ... They're both amazing!