What Do You Mean?
Ariana Grande Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I was a liar, I gave in to the fire
I know I should've fought it
 at least I'm being honest
Feel like a failure
'cause I know that I failed you
I should've done you better
'cause you don't want a liar
And I know, and I know
And I know she gives you everything
But boy, I couldn't give it to you
And I know, and I know
And I know that you got everything
But I got nothing here without you

So one last time
I need to be the one who takes you home
One more time
I promise after that, I'll let you go
Baby, I don't care if you
Got her in your heart
All I really carе is you wake up in my arms
One last time
I need to bе the one who takes you home

I don't deserve it, I know I don't deserve it
But stay with me a minute
I swear I'll make it worth it
Can't you forgive me? At
Least just temporarily
I know that this is my fault
I should have been more careful

And I know, and I know
And I know she gives you everything
But boy, I couldn't give it to you
And I know, and I know
And I know that you got everything
But I got nothing here without you, baby

So one last time
I need to be the one who takes you home
One more time
I promise after that, I'll let you go
Baby, I don't care if you
Got her in your heart
All I really care is you wake up in my arms
One last time
I need to be the one who takes you home

Yeah, I know I should've fought it
At least I'm being honest, yeah
But stay with me a minute
I swear I'll make it worth it, yeah
'Cause I don't wanna be without you

So one last time
I need to be the one who takes you home
(Takes you home, babe) one more time
I promise after that, I'll let you go
Baby, I don't care if you
Got her in your heart, babe
All I really care is you wake up in my arms
One last time
I need to be the one who takes you home, yeah

So one last time
I need to be the one who takes you home
(Better make up your mind) What do you mean?

You’re overprotective when I’m leaving
Tryna compromise, but I can’t win
You wanna make a point
But you keep preachin'
Had me from the start, don't let this end

First you wanna go to the left
Then you wanna turn right (Turn right)
Wanna argue all day, makin' love all night
(All night)
First you're up, then you’re down
And then between ('Tween)
Oh, I really wanna know

What do you mean? Oh, oh
When you nod your head yes
But you wanna say no
What do you mean? Hey-ey
When you don't want me to move
But you tell me to go
What do you mean? (I wanna know)
Oh, what do you mean? (O oh)
Said you're running out of time
What do you mean? (Oh baby)
Oh, oh, oh, what do you mean?
Better make up your mind, what do you mean?

Oh, oh (Don't be so selfish baby, yeah)
When you nod your head yes
But you wanna say no
What do you mean? Hey, yeah
(You're so confusing baby)
When you don't want me to move
(Hey) , but you tell me to go
What do you mean? (Be more straight forward)
Oh, what do you mean?
Said you're running outta time
What do you mean?




Oh, oh, oh, what do you mean?
Better make up your mind, what do you mean?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the song "What Do You Mean" by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber describe a person who regrets their past actions and is asking for a second chance with their partner. They admit to being a liar and failed their partner but want to make it up to them and need to be the one who takes them home one last time. They express their concern over their partner being with someone else but all they care about is being with them and having them wake up in their arms. The song captures the emotions of regret, heartbreak, and desperation for redemption.


Line by Line Meaning

I was a liar, I gave in to the fire
I made a mistake and gave in to temptation


I know I should've fought it
I recognize that I should have resisted my urges


at least I'm being honest
I am owning up to my actions and admitting them truthfully


Feel like a failure
I am disappointed in myself for making this mistake


'cause I know that I failed you
I realize that my actions hurt you and I am sorry for that


I should've done you better
I should have treated you better and not let you down


'cause you don't want a liar
I understand that honesty and trust are important to you and I failed to uphold that


And I know, and I know
I am aware and cognizant of the following facts


And I know she gives you everything
I am aware that she provides for you and meets your needs


But boy, I couldn't give it to you
I accept that I was unable to provide for you in the same way


And I know that you got everything
I recognize that you have everything you need


But I got nothing here without you
I feel empty and lost without you in my life


So one last time
For the final time


I need to be the one who takes you home
I want to be the one who brings you back home


One more time
One more occasion


I promise after that, I'll let you go
I guarantee that this will be the last time I ask this of you and I will set you free after


Baby, I don't care if you
Regardless of whether


Got her in your heart
You have feelings for her


All I really care is you wake up in my arms
All I want is for you to be with me and be in my embrace


I don't deserve it, I know I don't deserve it
I understand that I don't deserve your forgiveness


But stay with me a minute
However, please don't leave me just yet


I swear I'll make it worth it
I promise that I will make it up to you and show you that I can be deserving of your love


Can't you forgive me?
Please pardon me


At least just temporarily
Even if it's only for a short while


I know that this is my fault
I am responsible for my mistakes and their consequences


I should have been more careful
I should have been more cautious and considerate


Yeah, I know I should've fought it
I realize that I should have fought against my desires


But stay with me a minute
Please stay with me for a moment


I swear I'll make it worth it, yeah
I promise that I will make it up to you and show you that I am worthy of your love


'Cause I don't wanna be without you
Because I can't imagine being without you


You’re overprotective when I’m leaving
You are overly cautious and defensive when I am going away


Tryna compromise, but I can’t win
I am attempting to reach a middle ground, but I am unable to succeed


You wanna make a point
You want to express a particular idea or perspective


But you keep preachin'
However, you keep repeating yourself


Had me from the start, don't let this end
You captured my heart from the beginning, please don't let our relationship come to an end


First you wanna go to the left
At first, you want to go in one direction


Then you wanna turn right
But then, you want to change course and go in the opposite direction


Wanna argue all day, makin' love all night
You want to fight and argue during the day but have passionate intimacy all night long


First you're up, then you’re down
Your emotions and moods are inconsistent and constantly changing


And then between ('Tween)
You waver between different positions or perspectives


Oh, I really wanna know
I am genuinely curious to understand the situation


When you nod your head yes
When you indicate agreement


But you wanna say no
But your underlying feeling is actually one of disagreement


When you don't want me to move
When you want me to stay in the same place


But you tell me to go
But you tell me to leave


Said you're running out of time
You mentioned that time is running out or limited


Better make up your mind, what do you mean?
Please make a decision or clearly communicate your intentions




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@hayleowens7807

[Intro]

[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
What do you mean? Oh, oh
When you nod your head yes, but you wanna say no
What do you mean? Hey-ey
When you don't want me to move, but you tell me to go
What do you mean?
Oh, what do you mean?
Said you're running out of time, what do you mean?
Oh, oh, oh, what do you mean?
Better make up your mind, what do you mean?

[Verse 1: Justin Bieber]
You’re so indecisive, what I’m saying
Tryna catch the beat, make up your heart
Don't know if you're happy or complaining
Don't want for us to end, where do I start?

[Pre-Chorus: Justin Bieber]
First you wanna go to the left then you wanna turn right
Wanna argue all day, make love all night
First you're up, then you’re down and then between
Oh, I really wanna know…


[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
What do you mean? Oh, oh
When you nod your head yes, but you wanna say no
What do you mean? Hey-ey
When you don't want me to move, but you tell me to go
What do you mean?
Oh, what do you mean?
Said you're running out of time, what do you mean?
Oh, oh, oh, what do you mean?
Better make up your mind, what do you mean?

[Verse 2: Ariana Grande]
You’re overprotective when I’m leaving
Tryna compromise but I can’t win
You wanna make a point, but you keep preaching
Had me from the start, don't let this end

[Pre-Chorus: Justin Bieber & Ariana Grande]
First you wanna go to the left then you wanna turn right
Wanna argue all day, make love all night
First you're up, then you’re down and then between
Oh, I really wanna know…

[Chorus: Justin Bieber & Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber]
What do you mean? Oh, oh
When you nod your head yes, but you wanna say no
What do you mean? Hey-ey
When you don't want me to move, but you tell me to go
What do you mean? (I wanna know)
Oh, what do you mean? (Ooh)
Said you're running out of time, what do you mean? (Oh baby)
Oh, oh, oh, what do you mean?
Better make up your mind, what do you mean?

[Outro: Justin Bieber & Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber]
Oh, oh
(Don't be so selfish baby, yeah)
When you nod your head yes
But you wanna say no
What do you mean? Hey-ey
(You're so confusing baby)
When you don't want me to move
But you tell me to go
What do you mean?
(Be more straight forward)
Oh, what do you mean?
Said you're running outta time, what do you mean?
Oh, oh, oh, what do you mean?
Better make up your mind, what do you mean?



@TheOscuroSignore00

What do you mean? Oh, oh
When you nod your head yes
But you wanna say no
What do you mean? Hey-ey
When you don't want me to move
But you tell me to go
What do you mean?

Oh, what do you mean?
Said you're running out of time, what do you mean?
Oh, oh, oh, what do you mean?
Better make up your mind
What do you mean?

You're so indecisive, what I'm saying
Tryna catch the beat, make up your heart
Don't know if you're happy or complaining
Don't want for us to end, where do I start?

First you wanna go to the left, then you wanna turn right
Wanna argue all day, making love all night
First you're up, then you're down and then between
Oh, I really wanna know

What do you mean? Oh, oh
When you nod your head yes
But you wanna say no
What do you mean? Hey-yeah
When you don't want me to move
But you tell me to go
What do you mean?

Oh, what do you mean?
Said you're running out of time, what do you mean?
Oh, oh, oh, what do you mean?
Better make up your mind
What do you mean?

You're overprotective when I'm leaving
Tryna compromise but I can't win
You wanna make a point, but you keep preaching
You had me from the start, won't let this end

First you wanna go to the left, then you wanna turn right
Wanna argue all day, making love all night
First you're up, then you're down and then between
Oh, I really wanna know

What do you mean? Oh, oh
When you nod your head yes
But you wanna say no
What do you mean? Hey-yeah
When you don't want me to move
But you tell me to go
What do you mean?

Oh, what do you mean?
Said you're running out of time, what do you mean?
(Oh baby)
Oh, oh, oh, what do you mean?
Better make up your mind
What do you mean?

Oh, oh (this is ours baby, yeah)
When you nod your head yes
But you wanna say no
What do you mean?
(You're so confusing baby) Hey-yeah
When you don't want me to move
But you tell me to go
What do you mean?

Oh, what do you mean?
Said you're running out of time, what do you mean?
Oh, oh, oh, what do you mean?
Better make up your mind
What do you mean?



All comments from YouTube:

@btshousemaid5371

i know you’re here too cause youtube recommended you the video of ariana and justin talkin bout this vers.

@miathermopolis3021

btshousemaid like WTF how am I just now hearing this ver

@jacquessiemens9170

True

@julianarodriguez7335

literally that video came up yesterday and this one came up today

@kittyamar4661

True

@ladyimay1563

Yasssss

91 More Replies...

@stefflara8787

AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT GOT CHILLS WHEN I HEARD Ariana Grandes VOICE!? LIKE GOD HER VOICE HER VOICE IS JUST INCREDIBLE! For the chills second when they both began singing also. Like wow

@ashmitajain651

IKR i must have heard it 100's of times yet i get those chills

@mokoroo2573

i got no chills because i know its all autotune

@patriciap6

you should listen to dangerous woman and into you (acapella versions she has on her youtube channel), they are so amazing

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