During her career, she has won four Grammy Awards, four Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award, and has been nominated for two Academy Awards. She performed a new concert show, The Showgirl Must Go On, live five nights a week at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 2011 (together with Cher and Elton John).
You Don't Own Me
Bette Midler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not juss one of your many toys
You don't own me
Don't say I can't go with other boys
Bababababababaaaaa
Don't tell me what to do
And don't tell me what to say
Don't put me on display
You don't own me
Don't try to change me in any way
You don't own me
Don't drag me down ,
'Cause ill never stay
I don't tell you what to say
I don't tell you what to do
So just let me be myself
That's all I ask from you
I'm young
And I love to be young
I'm free
And I love to free
To live my life the way I want
To say and do whatever I please
(reapeat)
No no
You don't own me
No no
You don't own me
No no
You don't own me
Young n free
Young n free
Young n free
You don't own me
(repeat *4)
Young n free
Young n free
Young n free
You don't own me
(repeat *5)
The song "You Don't Own Me" by Lesley Gore was released in 1963, and was later covered by Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, and Goldie Hawn for the movie "The First Wives Club" in 1996. The song is a feminist anthem that was ahead of its time, as it challenged gender roles and expectations.
The lyrics convey a powerful message of independence and autonomy, as the singer declares that she is not a possession to be controlled by a man. She asserts her right to freedom and agency, and refuses to be objectified or reduced to a mere toy. The repetition of "you don't own me" emphasizes her resolve and reinforces her message. She also calls out the double standards that exist between men and women, demanding that she be allowed to live her life however she pleases, without being judged or restricted.
The song's message resonates with many women who have struggled with societal expectations and gender inequality. It is a reminder that women are individuals with their own needs and desires, and that they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. The song's popularity has endured for decades, and continues to inspire and empower women all over the world.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't own me
I am not your possession and you have no control over me
I'm not juss one of your many toys
I am not your plaything, I am a person with my own desires and needs
Don't say I can't go with other boys
You do not have the right to dictate who I can or cannot spend time with
Don't tell me what to do
You cannot give me orders and expect me to follow them blindly
And don't tell me what to say
You cannot control what I choose to express or how I choose to communicate
And when I go out with you
If we choose to spend time together, it is a mutual decision and you cannot claim ownership of me
Don't put me on display
You cannot objectify me and treat me as an object to be admired or shown off
Don't try to change me in any way
You cannot force me to alter who I am or what I believe in order to conform to your expectations
Don't drag me down ,
You cannot bring me down or limit me in any way
'Cause ill never stay
If you try to control me or limit my freedom, I will leave
I don't tell you what to say
Just as I do not allow you to control what I say, I will not try to dictate your speech
I don't tell you what to do
Just as I do not allow you to control my actions, I will not try to control yours
So just let me be myself
The best way for us to coexist is for you to accept me for who I am and not try to change me
That's all I ask from you
I am not asking for much, just the basic respect of allowing me to be my own person
I'm young
I am at an age where I still have much to learn and experience
And I love to be young
I enjoy the freedom and spontaneity of youth and do not want to be tied down
I'm free
I value my independence and refuse to let anyone take that away
And I love to be free
I cherish my ability to make my own choices and do not want to give that up
To live my life the way I want
I have the right to make my own decisions and live my life on my own terms
To say and do whatever I please
As long as I am not hurting anyone, I should be free to express myself and act as I wish
Young n free
Being young and free is a state of mind that I cherish
You don't own me
No matter how much you may try, you will never own or control me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David White, John Madara
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@meganpenner3052
Who’s here because they genuinely love this movie
@marilyns8497
ME!! And also because I am a first wife . . . !
@ravenpate9547
Megan’s Cloud me
@jonnathan1869
I've never watched the movie but I like the song lol 😅😅😅
@liner011f7
Goldie sounded a lot like Cher
@persil2343
Megan’s Cloud I’m showing it to my friends at our musical society the first week we’re back at uni.
@CraigFarangBa
God, I love this clip. Perfect ending to the film -- I love all 3 ladies. I must have watched this excerpt 100 times, it never gets old.
@rosebrown9265
It's brilliant 😀
@viola4990
🤣🤣👍👍🙌🙌
@premsiripupipat5381
Me too. I really love this part and have watched many, many times (with tears in my eyes.)