Leave Me Lonely
Ariana Grande Feat. Macy Gray Lyrics


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Dangerous love
You're no good for me, darling
Yeah, you turn me away
Like I'm begging for a dollar
Danger, oh, how you hold me
I get a chill inside
And nothing frightens me, baby, oh
Is it love when so easily said goodbye?
Is it love when we've given up before we tried?
Is it love when you stole my peace of mind?
Is it love when you cry, and cry and cry?

So when you walk out that door
Don't you come back no more
My heart has had enough of the give and take
And as much as I want you to stay

You're a dangerous love
And baby, you're no good for me, darling
'Cause if you're gonna love me and leave me hanging here
Then I'd rather you leave me lonely
Even though it hurts
You're a dangerous love

Dangerous love
You're no good for me, darling
Yeah, you turn me away
Like I'm begging for a dollar
Danger, oh, how you hold me
I get a chill inside
And nothing frightens me, baby, oh

When you walk out that door
Don't you come back no more
My heart has had enough of the give and take
And as much as I want you to stay

You're a dangerous love
Baby, you're no good for me, darling
'Cause if you're gonna love me and leave me hanging here
Then I'd rather you leave, leave me lonely
Even though it hurts
Dangerous love, baby

Dangerous love
You're no good for me, darling
Yeah, you turn me away
Like I'm begging for a dollar
Danger, oh, how you hold me




I get a chill inside
And nothing frightens me, baby, oh

Overall Meaning

"Leave Me Lonely" is a powerful song that talks about a toxic and dysfunctional relationship. The lyrics revolve around the singer's realization that her lover is no good for her, and she's better off being alone than being with someone who's only going to hurt her. The chorus beautifully sums up the message of the song when Ariana sings, "You're a dangerous love. Baby, you're no good for me, darling. 'Cause if you're gonna love me and leave me, hanging here then I'd rather you leave me lonely."


The first verse describes the emotional hold of the dangerous lover on the singer. The singer knows that their relationship is doomed but still can't resist the draw of the lover's charm, despite the way that he treats her. The second verse explores the idea that a relationship is not real love when one person can so easily walk away from it. The singer's emotional turmoil and how deeply hurt she is that her lover has stolen her peace of mind are evident in the words, "Is it love when you cry and cry and cry?" The singer then becomes determined to break free from the toxic relationship when she sings in the bridge, "When you walk out that door, don't you come back no more."


Line by Line Meaning

Dangerous love
The love shared between the two is dangerous


You're no good for me, darling
The singer recognizes that the love is harmful to them


Yeah, you turn me away
The other person is dismissive and doesn't take the singer's affections seriously


Like I'm begging for a dollar
The artist feels as if they're being reduced to a beggar, constantly pleading for attention and validation


Danger, oh, how you hold me
The artist acknowledges the hold the dangerous love has over them


I get a chill inside
The singer is simultaneously drawn to and unnerved by the love they're experiencing


And nothing frightens me, baby, oh
Despite recognizing the danger, the singer is unafraid of the love they're experiencing


Is it love when so easily said goodbye?
The artist questions whether the love is genuine if it can be so easily discarded


Is it love when we've given up before we tried?
The artist wonders if the love is worth pursuing if both parties have already given up before trying to make it work


Is it love when you stole my peace of mind?
The artist is anguished by the love, which has robbed them of their tranquility


Is it love when you cry, and cry and cry?
The singer questions whether the love is genuine if it only brings tears and heartache


So when you walk out that door
The artist is telling the other person to leave and not come back


Don't you come back no more
The singer is resolute in their decision for the other person to stay away


My heart has had enough of the give and take
The singer is tired of the back-and-forth nature of the relationship


And as much as I want you to stay
The singer still has feelings for the other person despite recognizing the harm the love does


Then I'd rather you leave me lonely
The artist would rather be alone than continue to experience the damaging love


Even though it hurts
The decision to let go of the dangerous love is painful for the artist


You're a dangerous love
The singer reiterates that the love shared between them is dangerous


And baby, you're no good for me, darling
The singer emphasizes that the other person is not good for them




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: THOMAS BROWN, STEVEN FRANKS, THOMAS PARKER LUMPKINS, VICTORIA MCCANTS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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