The music video portrays Lavigne's character's telling her boyfriend to leave after he tried to pressure her into going farther sexually than she wanted to. She kicks him out of her apartment, and after he leaves, she throws and breaks a glass cup full of water against the wall and punches a mirror. She then continues to follow him as she sings lines such as "Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you, this time?" and "Don't try to tell me what to do." She follows him down the hall, out the apartment, and onto the streets. During the bridge, she appears in many places at once, and so it is obvious she is on her boyfriend's mind.
The video was nominated at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards in the category of Best Pop Video.
The song appears on Totally Hits 2004 Vol.2.
It is also the first music video where Lavigne exposes excessive amount of skin, making it her first contradiction (she had said that she will not wear 'skanky' clothes that seems like selling out, whereas she wants to 'sell music.')
The song did moderately well on charts, peaking at number twenty-two in the United States, at number ten in Australia, at number six in Spain, at number five in the UK.
Don't Tell Me
Avril Lavigne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While you gave me that kiss you were something like this
It made me go, oh, oh
You wiped my tears got rid of all my fears
Why did you have to go?
Guess it wasn't enough to take up some of my love
Guys are so hard to trust
Girl, the one who gives it all away, yeah?
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you this time?
Did you think that it was somethin' I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to tell me what to say
You're better off that way
Don't think that your charm
And the fact that your arm is now around my neck
Will get you in my pants, I'll have to kick your ass
And make you never forget
I'm gonna ask you to stop thought I liked you a lot
But I'm really upset (really upset)
Get outta my head, get off of my bed
Yeah, that's what I said
Did I not tell you that I'm not like that
Girl, the one who throws it all away?
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you this time?
Did you think that it was somethin' I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to tell me what to say
You're better off that way
This guilt trip that you put me on won't mess me up
I've done no wrong
Any thoughts of you and me have gone away
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you this time?
Did you think that it was somethin' I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to tell me what to say
You're better off that way, yeah (better off that way)
I'm better off alone anyway
The song "Don't Tell Me" by Avril Lavigne is about a woman who is tired of guys trying to pressure her into doing things she doesn't want to do. In the first verse, she reminisces about a guy who was sweet to her, but ultimately left her feeling like she couldn't trust him. In the chorus, she tells him that she is not the type of girl who gives herself away and that he should not try to tell her what to do or say. She then threatens physical violence if he continues to pressure her. In the second verse, she accuses him of trying to guilt trip her and insists that she has done nothing wrong. The song ends with her declaring that she is better off alone.
What makes this song stand out is how it portrays a young woman who is not afraid to assert herself and stand up to men who try to pressure her into doing things she doesn't want to do. It is a feminist anthem that encourages women to be true to themselves and not let anyone else dictate their choices.
Line by Line Meaning
You held my hand and walked me home, I know
You accompanied me to my house holding my hand
While you gave me that kiss you were something like this
I felt a certain vibe from you when you kissed me
It made me go, oh, oh
The kiss was overwhelming; it made me feel something
You wiped my tears got rid of all my fears
You comforted me and helped me feel better
Why did you have to go?
I'm upset that you left
Guess it wasn't enough to take up some of my love
Our previous actions weren't enough for you to earn my love
Guys are so hard to trust
I have trust issues with men because of past experiences
Did I not tell you that I'm not like that
I made it clear to you that I don't act that way
Girl, the one who gives it all away, yeah?
I'm not the girl who easily gives everything away
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you this time?
Did you assume I would have sex with you this time?
Did you think that it was somethin' I was gonna do and cry?
Did you think I would regret having sex with you?
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to control my actions
Don't try to tell me what to say
Don't try to control what I say
You're better off that way
You're better off without me
Don't think that your charm
Don't assume that your charm will work on me
And the fact that your arm is now around my neck
The fact that you're physically close to me doesn't make a difference
Will get you in my pants, I'll have to kick your ass
Trying to use physical contact to your advantage won't work, and you'll face the consequences
And make you never forget
I'll give you a memorable experience
I'm gonna ask you to stop thought I liked you a lot
I'm going to request that you stop even though I had feelings for you
But I'm really upset (really upset)
I'm extremely upset right now
Get outta my head, get off of my bed
Leave my thoughts and physical space
This guilt trip that you put me on won't mess me up
I won't be affected by the guilt you're trying to make me feel
I've done no wrong
I haven't done anything wrong
Any thoughts of you and me have gone away
My romantic thoughts of us are completely gone
You're better off that way, yeah (better off that way)
You'll have a better life without me in it
I'm better off alone anyway
Being alone is better than being with someone who doesn't respect me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Avril Lavigne, Evan Taubenfeld
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sholehmahfudin4408
"Don't Tell Me"
You held my hand and walked me home
I know why you gave me that kiss
It was something like this
It made me go oh oh
You wiped my tears
Got rid of all my fears
Why did you have to go?
Guess it wasn't enough
To take up some of my love
Guys are so hard to trust
Did I not tell you that I'm not like that girl: the one who gives it all away?
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you this time?
Did you think that it was something I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to tell me what to say
You're better off that way
Don't think that your charm
And the fact that your arm
Is now around my neck
Will get you in my pants
I'll have to kick your ass
And make you never forget
I'm gonna ask you to stop
Thought I liked you a lot
But I'm really upset
Get out of my head
Get off of my bed
Yeah, that's what I said
Did I not tell you that I'm not like that girl: the one who throws it all away?
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you this time?
Did you think that it was something I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to tell me what to say
You're better off that way
This guilt trip that you put me on won't mess me up
I've done no wrong
Any thoughts of you and me have gone away
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you this time?
Did you think that it was something I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to tell me what to say
You're better off that way
Better off that way
I'm better off alone anyway
@jennyjoyciriaco9327
You held my hand and walked me home, I know
While you gave me that kiss you were something like this
It made me go, oh, oh
You wiped my tears got rid of all my fears
Why did you have to go?
Guess it wasn't enough to take up some of my love
Guys are so hard to trust
Did I not tell you that I'm not like that
Girl, the one who gives it all away, yeah?
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you this time?
Did you think that it was somethin' I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to tell me what to say
You're better off that way
Don't think that your charm
And the fact that your arm is now around my neck
Will get you in my pants, I'll have to kick your ass
And make you never forget
I'm gonna ask you to stop thought I liked you a lot
But I'm really upset (really upset)
Get outta my head, get off of my bed
Yeah, that's what I said
Did I not tell you that I'm not like that
Girl, the one who throws it all away?
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you this time?
Did you think that it was somethin' I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to tell me what to say
You're better off that way
This guilt trip that you put me on won't mess me up
I've done no wrong
Any thoughts of you and me have gone away
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you this time?
Did you think that it was somethin' I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to tell me what to say
You're better off that way, yeah (better off that way)
I'm better off alone anyway
@Nisanex
Who’s watching in 2024
@zenquester3896
Yep, on a Avril binge session.
@fluffyblack137
Yo
@isy6011
❤️
@hakimnurul5098
Me. First time on 2001 🥲
@eddiegrondin4034
Me, always in love with her
@gigi4266
I love how she combines toughness with vulnerability.
@victorrianm
YEEESS ME TOO
@mrmoedini
Ha I'm not failing nnn today, good try!
@syalater4216
Yea no