You Took Advantage Of Me
Billie Holiday [feat. Ray Ellis & His Orchestra] Lyrics
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And my caution was leaving you flat,
I should have made use of the tonic
Before you gave me that!
A mental deficient you'll grade me.
I've given you plenty of data.
You came, you saw and you slayed me,
And that-a is that-a!
I'm a sentimental sap, that's all.
What's the use of trying not to fall?
I have no will,
You've made your kill
'Cause you took advantage of me!
I'm just like an apple on a bough
And you're gonna shake me down somehow.
So what's the use,
You've cooked my goose
'Cause you took advantage of me!
I'm so hot and bothered that I don't know
My elbow from my ear.
I suffer something awful each time you go
And much worse when you're near.
Here am I with all my bridges burned,
Just a babe in arms where you're concerned,
So lock the doors
And call me yours
'Cause you took advantage of me.
When a girl has the heart of a mother
It must go to someone, of course;
It can't be a sister or brother
And so I loved my horse.
But horses are frequently silly-
Mine ran from the beach of Kailua
And left me alone for a filly,
So I-a picked you-a.
I'm a sentimental sap, that's all.
What's the use of trying not to fall?
I have no will,
You've made your kill
'Cause you took advantage of me!
I'm just like an apple on a bough
And you're gonna shake me down somehow.
So what's the use,
You've cooked my goose
'Cause you took advantage of me!
I'm so hot and bothered that I don't know
My elbow from my ear.
I suffer something awful each time you go
And much worse when you're near.
Here am I with all my bridges burned,
Just a babe in arms where you're concerned,
So lock the doors
And call me yours
'Cause you took advantage of me.
The lyrics to "You Took Advantage Of Me" convey a feeling of vulnerability and helplessness that comes with being in love. It talks about how the singer wishes she had taken the necessary precautions to prevent herself from getting hurt but failed to do so. She feels like the person she loved took advantage of her emotional vulnerability and left her heartbroken. She admits to being a "sentimental sap" and not having the willpower to resist falling in love. The lyrics also touch on the confusion and discomfort that comes with being in love, as she is so overwhelmed that she cannot differentiate between her elbow and her ear. Even when the bridges have been burned, and there is seemingly no hope left, she is still willing to give herself wholly to the person who took advantage of her.
Line by Line Meaning
In the spring when the feeling was chronic
During a time of vulnerability and prolonged emotional discomfort
And my caution was leaving you flat,
Despite my initial hesitance and awareness of potential danger
I should have made use of the tonic
I should have taken steps to protect myself
Before you gave me that!
Before you hurt and took advantage of me
A mental deficient you'll grade me.
You will judge me as foolish or stupid
I've given you plenty of data.
I have provided you with enough information
You came, you saw and you slayed me,
You approached me, seduced me, and ultimately destroyed me
And that-a is that-a!
That is the end of the story
I'm a sentimental sap, that's all.
I am overly emotional and vulnerable
What's the use of trying not to fall?
What is the point of resisting your advances?
I have no will,
I am powerless against you
You've made your kill
You have succeeded in breaking me down
'Cause you took advantage of me!
You manipulated and exploited me
I'm just like an apple on a bough
I am helpless and exposed
And you're gonna shake me down somehow.
You will find a way to exploit me further
So what's the use,
There is no point in resisting
You've cooked my goose
You have ruined me
'Cause you took advantage of me!
You took advantage of my naivety and vulnerability
I'm so hot and bothered that I don't know
I am so overwhelmed with emotions that I am confused
My elbow from my ear.
I can't think straight or differentiate things normally
I suffer something awful each time you go
I experience intense pain and distress when you leave
And much worse when you're near.
I am even more distressed when I am around you
Here am I with all my bridges burned,
I am left with nothing and no one left to turn to
Just a babe in arms where you're concerned,
I am completely dependent on you
So lock the doors
Please keep me safe
And call me yours
Let me know that I belong to you
'Cause you took advantage of me.
Because I am vulnerable to you and you have exploited me
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
UncleDu
This is Lady's last album, not "Lady In Satin" as many people say. "Billie Holiday" was released posthumously. "Lady In Satin" came out while she was living. Her feel in these last sessions is almost palpable, it's just that potent. Sing Lady. ๐
Val Trono
Beautiful voice so relaxing :-)
Scottish Irish English Traditional Folk Songs๐ต
Great song ...even greater singer. Thanks for this ;)
Patalcant
A very suggestive song for its time.... re the comment above, I think her โdoped outโ sound is perfect here โ and perhaps even deliberateโgiven the mood and message of the song
Nadia Saffodien
Agreed.
john f
I really doubt it. I think it's unintentional and due to her being heavily intoxicated during recording. the producer also pitched her voice up 1/4. if she had meant to sound like this she would have sang it this way, but they had to speed it up so she wouldn't sound as doped up.
Peter Atkinson
Not a BH fan ( yet?) but her frailty and vulnerability is palpable ( poignancy?). Came here via Bix and Bing and long held admiration for R&H's songs.
Greg
how did you get to bix before billie? his music is way darker
Yuki Winehouse
this is my old channel... But i forgot the password :( I still have a lot of Billie's Songs (more than 200) :D will upload and send you later :D have a great day with jazz.
Y2Jaz
The producers speed up here voice