Don't You Forget About Me
Billy Idol Lyrics

Hey, hey, hey, hey Watching oh yeah
Attention-getting opener, as if addressing the subject of the song (presumably a former lover) directly. The singer is watching for some sort of response, be it a visit or a message.

Won't you come see about me? I'll be alone, dancing and you know it baby
The singer is inviting their subject to come back - they'll be waiting and ready to dance, something the subject would know and appreciate.

Tell me your troubles and doubts Giving me everything inside and out, out Love's strange so real in the dark Think of the tender things that we were working on
In reminiscing about their past together, the singer is requesting that their subject open up about their personal struggles, deep and otherwise. They remember the love they once shared, which was real and almost magical, especially when obscured from observation.

Slow change may pull us apart I'll get us back together at heart, baby
The subject and speaker have grown apart, probably due to gradual changes. The artist pledges that although the relationship may be different, they'll rekindle the love they once had.

Don't you forget about me Don't don't don't don't Don't you forget about me
An insistent, repeated warning that the artist doesn't want to be forgotten or neglected. They are sending this message to make sure the subject is aware of their feelings.

Will you stand above me? Look my way and never love me Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling Down, down, down
The singer is fearful of being ignored or rejected by their subject. They have a sense of powerlessness and negativity, symbolized by the rain.

Would you recognize me? Call my name or walk on by Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling Down, down, down
The singer is insecure about whether their subject would even know or acknowledge them if they passed each other on the street. Again, the rain represents their desolation.

Don't you try and pretend It's my feeling we'll win in the end I won't harm you or touch your defenses Vanity and security
The artist is calling out any pretense by their subject, insisting that the feelings they shared will ultimately reign triumphant. They reassure the subject that they won't force them into anything, respect their boundaries, and recognize that their separation may have been due to external factors (such as pride).

Going to take you apart I'll put us back together at heart, baby Don't you forget about me Don't don't don't don't Don't you forget about me
Repetition of the chorus, plus a declaration that the artist will be taking initiative in rebuilding their relationship. They still insist that their subject remembers them, and should not forget the feelings they once had.

As you walk on by Will you call my name? As you walk on by (as you walk on by) Or will you walk on by? Will you walk away? Come on call my name Come on call my name Will you call my name?
The artist is pleading with the subject to actively seek them out and make contact, even as they 'walk on by' (either physically or emotionally). They continue to ask whether they will heed their call, and hope to hear their own name spoken aloud.

I say La la la. Will you walk on by? Would you call my name? As you walk on by Would you call my name? When you walk on by? Oh yeah Come on and call my name As you walk on by Hey baby call my name! When you walk on by Would you call my name Yeah, yeah, yeah
The singer fills the last segment with pseudo-musical interjections as they continue to reiterate their desperate hopes for reconciliation. They repeat the chorus many times, adding some insistent pleas and nicknames for good measure.