Don't Cry For Me Argentina
A.L. WEBBER / T. RICE Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It won't be easy, you'll think it strange
When I try to explain how I feel
That I still need your love after all that I've done
You won't believe me

All you will see is a girl you once knew
Although she's dressed up to the nines
At sixes and sevens with you

I had to let it happen, I had to change

Couldn't stay all my life down at heel
Looking out of the window, staying out of the sun
So I chose freedom
Running around trying everything new

But nothing impressed me at all
I never expected it to
Don't cry for me Argentina
The truth is I never left you

All through my wild days
My mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance

And as for fortune, and as for fame
I never invited them in
Though it seemed to the world they were all I desired
They are illusions

They're not the solutions they promised to be
The answer was here all the time
I love you and hope you love me
Don't cry for me Argentina......

Don't cry for me Argentina
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days
My mad existence

I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance
Have I said too much? There's nothing more I can think of to say to you
But all you have to do is look at me to know that every word is true

Overall Meaning

"Don’t Cry for Me Argentina" is a poignant reflection of personal struggle and the complexity of relationships, articulated through the voice of Eva Perón, a significant figure in Argentine history. The opening lines evoke the challenge of communication between Eva and the audience, emphasizing the disconnection that arises from past actions and choices. She acknowledges the emotional upheaval that her decisions have caused, suggesting a feeling of unworthiness while simultaneously expressing a sincere need for connection and understanding. This juxtaposition creates an atmosphere of vulnerability, as she wrestles with the reality of her complex existence while yearning for the love and acceptance she feels she has forfeited.

As the lyrics progress, Eva reflects on her transformation from a "girl you once knew" to a person of prominence, still grappling with feelings of inadequacy. The phrase "dressed up to the nines" symbolizes her newfound status, yet she acknowledges that her external appearance does not align with her internal struggles represented by the expression "at sixes and sevens with you." This metaphorical disarray points to her conflicting identities—between her humble origins and her ambitious pursuits. The desire for freedom serves as a key theme; she consciously chose to escape her past limitations and seek new experiences. However, this journey is not as fulfilling as she had hoped, highlighting a sense of disillusionment that accompanies her pursuit of freedom and self-actualization.

The chorus, with its powerful repetition of "Don't cry for me Argentina," signifies her deep connection to her homeland and its people. Despite her chaotic life filled with "wild days" and the trappings of fame, she reassures those left behind that her heart remains with them. This message reveals a fundamental truth about her journey: while she sought to elevate herself and embrace new opportunities, her love for her country and its citizens transcends the superficial allure of wealth and notoriety. The acknowledgment of fortune and fame as "illusions" reflects her understanding that true fulfillment does not stem from external accolades but rather from genuine relationships and commitment to her roots.

In the closing lines, Eva's plea for emotional closeness emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and transparency in relationships. She grapples with the idea that her past actions may have created barriers, yet she implores her audience to look beyond those surface-level judgments and see the authenticity of her love. The expression "Have I said too much?" highlights her self-awareness and the struggle to convey complex emotions through words, suggesting that truth can often be best communicated through sincerity rather than grandiose declarations. Ultimately, the song becomes a testament to her enduring connection with Argentina—a love that remains steadfast despite the challenges and changes she has undergone. The emotional weight of the lyrics encapsulates a deep sense of longing, responsibility, and a profound desire to reconcile past choices with a hopeful, loving future.

Line by Line Meaning

It won't be easy, you'll think it strange
Navigating this conversation will be challenging, and you may find my feelings difficult to comprehend.

When I try to explain how I feel
As I attempt to articulate my emotions to you,

That I still need your love after all that I've done
I want you to understand that despite my past actions, my need for your affection remains strong.

You won't believe me
I fear that you will doubt my sincerity and what I am expressing.

All you will see is a girl you once knew
You may only perceive me as the person you familiarized yourself with in the past,

Although she's dressed up to the nines
even if I appear polished and well-presented on the outside.

At sixes and sevens with you
Our relationship is in disarray and disconnected, filled with confusion and uncertainty.

I had to let it happen, I had to change
I recognized the necessity for transformation and accepted the changes that occurred in my life.

Couldn't stay all my life down at heel
I couldn't continue living in deprivation and despair indefinitely,

Looking out of the window, staying out of the sun
watching life pass me by while I remained isolated and hidden from joy.

So I chose freedom
Therefore, I opted for liberation and the chance to explore life.

Running around trying everything new
Embracing new experiences and adventures with enthusiasm.

But nothing impressed me at all
However, none of these experiences truly captivated or fulfilled me.

I never expected it to
Deep down, I always knew they wouldn’t offer the satisfaction I sought.

Don't cry for me Argentina
Please don't mourn for me, Argentina; my journey has been complex.

The truth is I never left you
In reality, my essence and connection to you have always remained strong.

All through my wild days
Throughout my tumultuous and reckless experiences,

My mad existence
my chaotic life was characterized by both excitement and confusion.

I kept my promise
I have remained true to the commitments I made.

Don't keep your distance
Please, do not push me away or isolate yourself from me.

And as for fortune, and as for fame
Regarding material wealth and public acclaim,

I never invited them in
I have never genuinely sought out or welcomed them into my life.

Though it seemed to the world they were all I desired
Even though others may have perceived them as my ultimate aspirations,

They are illusions
I view them as false ideals that do not provide real happiness or fulfillment.

They're not the solutions they promised to be
These pursuits do not solve my deeper issues as they claimed they would.

The answer was here all the time
The true resolution has always been present within my heart and connections.

I love you and hope you love me
Ultimately, my affection for you is profound, and I desire reciprocal love.

Don't cry for me Argentina
Once again, please do not mourn me; my story is intertwined with yours.

Don't cry for me Argentina
Reiterating that your sorrow for me is unnecessary; we share a bond.

The truth is I never left you
Reaffirming that I have always remained connected to you in spirit.

All through my wild days
During my tumultuous times,

My mad existence
my chaotic journey has always held you in my heart.

I kept my promise
I upheld my commitments to you, despite my challenges.

Don't keep your distance
I urge you to remain close and not withdraw from me.

Have I said too much? There's nothing more I can think of to say to you
I wonder if I've expressed too many thoughts, as I am at a loss for additional words.

But all you have to do is look at me to know that every word is true
All you need is to see the truth in my eyes to understand the sincerity behind my words.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS