Poor Boy
Animal Years Lyrics
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Say you need me
Be my best friend
Love me maybe
I'm just a poor boy
And I ain't got much but what you need
I was wondering
I'd be your husband
If that's what you wanted
I'd do anything
If you'd be my everything
I'd be yours
But every time you'd turn and walk away
Saying words that you were never meant to say
We were standing in the cold and pouring rain
Daggers left your lips saying I could never change
Tell you one thing
I've been growing
I've been loving
Things about me
I've made heartsbreak
And I've made mistakes
But I'm still yours
Everybody
Owes ya something
But I don't owe no
Body nothing
I've been heartbroke
And I have misspoke
But the sun will rise
But I won't back down
The lyrics of Animal Years’ song “Poor Boy” present a yearning for love and acceptance from someone who is seen as unimportant or unworthy. The song revolves around a “poor boy” who desperately wants to be loved by the person he desires. The first verse opens with him asking for love and friendship, despite being poor and not having much to offer. He is willing to do anything the person wants, just to be loved by them. The second verse shows the “poor boy” asking the person to marry him, promising to be everything they want him to be. However, she continues to insult and hurt him, making him feel unworthy and broken. Despite the hurtful treatment, he promises to keep trying to grow and love himself but also to remain hers. He believes that everyone owes someone something, but he owes nobody anything. He has made mistakes and has had his heart shattered, but he is still hopeful that the sun will still rise for him, and he won't back down.
The song conveys the message of the struggle to be seen, loved, and accepted for who you are by the person you desire. The “poor boy” represents an underdog who’s seeking someone to empower him and see him for his true self. The lyrics express a deep pain, heartbreak, and vulnerability hidden behind the upbeat melody. The use of the metaphor “daggers left your lips” highlights the pain inflicted by the judgements of others, and the “pouring rain” serves as an additional symbol of the difficult emotional situation that the poor boy is experiencing.
Line by Line Meaning
Say you want me
Tell me that you want to be with me
Say you need me
Tell me that you need me in your life
Be my best friend
Let's be more than just lovers, let's be each other's best friend
Love me maybe
Maybe you can learn to love me in return
I'm just a poor boy
I may not have much to offer you
And I ain't got much but what you need
But I do have what you need to be happy
I was wondering
I was thinking about something and wanted to ask you
If you were wondering
I'm curious if you're thinking the same thing as I am
I'd be your husband
If you wanted to commit to me, I'd be your husband
If that's what you wanted
Assuming marriage is what you want
I'd do anything
I'm willing to do anything for you
If you'd be my everything
In return, I just need you to be everything to me
I'd be yours
If you want me, I'm yours
But every time you'd turn and walk away
Despite my willingness to be with you, you keep leaving me behind
Saying words that you were never meant to say
You say hurtful things that you don't even mean
We were standing in the cold and pouring rain
You don't even care about my well-being, leaving me out in the cold and rain
Daggers left your lips saying I could never change
You say I'm incapable of change, which is hurtful
Tell you one thing
Let me tell you something
I've been growing
I've been improving myself
I've been loving
I've been learning to love myself
Things about me
I now know more about myself and my flaws
I've made heartsbreak
I've caused heartbreak to others before
And I've made mistakes
I'm not perfect and have made mistakes in the past
But I'm still yours
Despite my imperfections, I still want to be with you and work through our problems together
Everybody
Everyone
Owes ya something
Feels like they owe you something
But I don't owe no
But I don't owe you anything
Body nothing
No one anything
I've been heartbroke
I've had my heartbroken before
And I have misspoke
I've said the wrong thing before, but it doesn't define who I am
But the sun will rise
Tomorrow is a new day, full of new opportunities and possibilities
But I won't back down
I won't give up on us, no matter what happens
Contributed by Penelope B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.