Look What They've Done To My Song
Billy Jo Spears Lyrics
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LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY SONG.
WELL, IT`S THE ONLY THING
I COULD DO HALF RIGHT,
AND IT`S TURNING OUT ALL WRONG, MA.
LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY SONG.
LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY BRAIN, MA.
LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY BRAIN.
WELL, THEY PICKED IT LIKE A CHICKEN BONE
AND I THINK I`M HALF INSANE, MA.
LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY SONG.
I WISH I COULD FIND A GOOD BOOK TO LIVE IN,
WISH I COULD FIND A GOOD BOOK.
WELL, IF I COULD FIND A REAL GOOD BOOK
I`D NEVER HAVE TO COME OUT AND LOOK
AT WHAT THEY DONE TO MY SONG.
BUT MAYBE IT`LL ALL BE ALRIGHT, MA.
MAYBE IT`LL ALL BE O.K.
WELL, IF THE PEOPLE ARE BUYING TEARS
I`LL BE RICH SOMEDAY, MA.
LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY SONG.
LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY SONG, MA.
LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY SONG.
WELL, THEY TIED IT UP IN A PLASTIC BAG
AND TURNED IT UPSIDE DOWN, MA.
LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY SONG.
LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY SONG, MA.
LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY SONG.
IT`S THE ONLY THING
I COULD DO ALRIGHT
AND THEY TURNED IT UPSIDE DOWN.
LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY SONG.
"Look What They've Done to My Song" is a song by Billy Jo Spears that was originally written and performed by Melanie Safka. The song has a melancholic tone and is filled with bitter resignation. Moreover, the song is about an artist whose work is commercialized and exploited beyond recognition or intent. The lyrics are a lamentation of the way the singer's song has been altered, modified, and packaged to fit into the commercial music industry. The line "Look what they've done to my song" is repeated several times throughout the song, communicating the sadness and despair of the singer.
The first verse reflects the singer's disappointment with how the song turned out compared to what they had intended. The next verse paints the picture of the singer's deteriorating mental state, which they metaphorically liken to a chicken bone that has been thoroughly picked clean. In verse three, the singer expresses their desire to live in a good book that could offer them solace and refuge from the cruel reality of the music industry. The fourth verse implies that the singer is willing to compromise and adapt to the commercialization of music if it means they can make money out of it. Lastly, the final verse repeats the first verse to emphasize the same point.
Line by Line Meaning
LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY SONG, MA.
Expressing sadness and frustration at the changes made to the song.
WELL, IT'S THE ONLY THING I COULD DO HALF RIGHT,
Acknowledging that the song was a source of pride and importance.
AND IT'S TURNING OUT ALL WRONG, MA.
Disappointment and anger at the way the song was altered.
LOOK WHAT THEY DONE TO MY BRAIN, MA.
Suggesting that the changes to the song have had a negative impact on the singer's mental state.
WELL, THEY PICKED IT LIKE A CHICKEN BONE AND I THINK I'M HALF INSANE, MA.
Metaphorical language to describe the intense scrutiny and pressure from those who changed the song.
I WISH I COULD FIND A GOOD BOOK TO LIVE IN,
Fantasizing about escaping from the current situation and immersing oneself in a better reality.
WELL, IF I COULD FIND A REAL GOOD BOOK I'D NEVER HAVE TO COME OUT AND LOOK
The song is compared to a book, and the desire to retreat into it and away from the problems caused by its changes.
BUT MAYBE IT'LL ALL BE ALRIGHT, MA. MAYBE IT'LL ALL BE O.K.
Holding out hope that the situation will improve or resolve itself in time.
WELL, IF THE PEOPLE ARE BUYING TEARS I'LL BE RICH SOMEDAY, MA.
Suggesting that despite the negative changes to the song, it may still find commercial success, though at the cost of the singer's emotional investment.
WELL, THEY TIED IT UP IN A PLASTIC BAG AND TURNED IT UPSIDE DOWN, MA.
Describing the way the song was changed in a tone of disgust and betrayal.
IT'S THE ONLY THING I COULD DO ALRIGHT AND THEY TURNED IT UPSIDE DOWN.
Repeating the sentiment that the song was a source of pride and importance, and lamenting the way it was altered.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MELANIE SAFKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind