You Can't Have Me
Big Star Lyrics


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Espionage, the words to come back to me
Sidewinder, you clepto
You do steal things
Unawares, but I don't care

You can't have me
You can't have me
You can't have me
You can't have me, not for free

Gymnast, working out on the parallel rails
Cuttin' trails, screams and wails, face go pale, never fails
You do steal things
Unawares, but I don't care

You can't have me
You can't have me
You can't have me
You can't have me, not for free

The drummer said you were not very clean
The drummer said you were not very clean
And I know what he means
And I know what he means

You can't have me
You can't have me




You can't have me
You can't have me, not for free

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Big Star's song "You Can't Have Me" are open to interpretation, but it seems to be about someone who is trying to steal the attention or affection of the singer away from someone else. The first verse opens with the words "Espionage, the words come back to me," which suggests that someone is spying or eavesdropping on the singer. The second line mentions "Sidewinder," which is a reference to a type of snake known for sneaking up on prey. The following line, "you clepto, you do steal things," adds to the idea that the person in question is trying to take something that doesn't belong to them. However, the singer claims they don't care.


The chorus is a repeated declaration that the person in question can't have the singer. The line "not for free" implies that perhaps the person is offering something in exchange for the singer's attention, but the singer is not interested.


The second verse adds a new layer to the story, with the introduction of a "gymnast working out on the parallel rails." The imagery here suggests a sense of skill and grace, but the line "cuttin' trails, screams and wails, face go pale, never fails" suggests something more ominous is happening. Again, the person in question is accused of stealing things, but the singer remains unbothered.


The final verse adds a bit of context, with the drummer apparently warning the singer about the person trying to steal their attention. "Not very clean" could refer to literal cleanliness or to being morally questionable. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the singer's defiance in the face of the other person's advances.


Line by Line Meaning

Espionage, the words to come back to me
Thinking of sneaky or covert ways to get back at me.


Sidewinder, you clepto
You are like a snake in the grass, stealing things without me knowing.


You can't have me
I am not going to be a victim of your deceitful ways.


You can't have me, not for free
You can't manipulate me without some sort of consequence.


Gymnast, working out on the parallel rails
You are trying to work around me and my defenses like a gymnast on parallel bars.


Cuttin' trails, screams and wails, face go pale, never fails
Your underhanded tactics are evident by the path you leave behind, the screams you cause, and the fear in people's faces.


The drummer said you were not very clean
Others are starting to see through your deceptive nature.


And I know what he means
I too have experienced your unscrupulous behavior.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DOROTHY FIELDS, JIMMY MCHUGH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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