Tell Me Baby
Blue Rodeo Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't know where to begin

Is there nothing I can do

To change the state I'm in
Tell me baby

How do I get back to you


Get back to you


And I know I've made a mess of it

Every promise betrayed

You say that I'll never change

How do I get back to you
So tell me baby


Get back to you



Is it fair to take a man

So deep into your heart

Then turn him away

Cause I couldn't change a single word
I'm just a fool who believes


His own lies



Is there something that I'm missing

Is it better left unsaid

Tell me how do we get it back

To the beginning

Tell me baby



How do I get back to you
Yeah tell me baby

How do I get back to you




Get back to you
Yeah tell me baby...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Blue Rodeo's song "Tell Me Baby" describe the frustration and confusion of a person who has lost touch with their loved one. The opening lines express helplessness and confusion about where to begin repairing the damage done to the relationship. The singer is looking for a way to change the state they are in and is asking their partner how they can get back to them. This is a common theme in many relationships, where miscommunication, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings can cause a breakdown in trust and feelings of abandonment.


The second verse of the song acknowledges the mistakes made in the past and the promises that were broken. The partner insists that the singer will never change, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. The lyrics describe the singer as a fool who believes his own lies. This line speaks to the idea that self-deception can be a dangerous thing, preventing people from seeing the truth about themselves and the impact of their actions on others.


In the final verse, the singer is searching for answers and wondering if there is something missing that is better left unsaid. The lyrics suggest that there is a desire to go back to the beginning, to start over and get back to the way things were. The plea to tell them how to get back to their partner is a desperate cry for help and demonstrates the depths of the singer's longing for reconciliation and understanding.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't know where to begin
I am lost and have no idea how to go about making things right.


Is there nothing I can do
I am feeling helpless and powerless to change the current situation.


To change the state I'm in
I am stuck in a bad place emotionally and need to find a way out of it.


Tell me baby
I am asking for your help and guidance to find a way back to you.


How do I get back to you
I am yearning to be back with you and need to know how to make that happen.


And I know I've made a mess of it
I am aware of the mistakes I have made and the damage I have caused.


Every promise betrayed
I have broken all of the promises that I made and have let you down.


You say that I'll never change
You believe that I am incapable of changing my ways and making things right.


So tell me baby
I am asking you to give me a chance and help me find a way to make things right.


Is it fair to take a man
I wonder if it is fair to lead someone on and then push them away.


So deep into your heart
You let me get close to you and then shut me out.


Then turn him away
You rejected me and left me feeling alone and heartbroken.


Cause I couldn't change a single word
I was unable to keep my promises and make the changes that you needed from me.


I'm just a fool who believes
I was foolish to think that I could change and make things right.


His own lies
I have been lying to myself and pretending that everything was okay when it wasn't.


Is there something that I'm missing
I am wondering if there is something that I do not understand about our situation.


Is it better left unsaid
I am questioning whether or not it is better to leave certain things unsaid.


Tell me how do we get it back
I am eager to find a way to fix our relationship and get back what we had before.


To the beginning
I want to go back to when things were good between us and start over.


Yeah tell me baby
I am pleading with you to help me find a way to make things right and get back to you.


How do I get back to you
I am consumed by my desire to be with you and need to know how to make it happen.


Get back to you
I want nothing more than to be reunited with you and make things right between us.


Yeah tell me baby...
I am desperate for your help and need you to tell me how to get back to you.




Lyrics © Exceleration Music Partners, LLC
Written by: HORTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Patrick Peters

Met every member of Blue Rodeo. They are the epitome of kindness and humbleness. Each and every one of the band are such great souls. Wonderful band.

Jessica Smith-Rehel

It's the only way us Canadians know 😊

Rajen Murugan

lucky you

MsFreudianSlip

Yes, and even recently (well, a bit more than a year ago, before Covid) I saw Jim at the Horseshoe - he was there to see his son play, but it was a Tuesday and hardly anyone was there, and he was so kind and took time to talk to anyone who spoke to him. People were kind enough to let him watch his son, but between sets people would approach him. I spoke with him for about 5 minutes and he was so kind, fully open and connected, even asked me where I grew up. Solid, salt of the earth guy!

Brian Bumstead

One of my poker buddies got to meet them also. Big time hash smokers. Wouldn’t mind meeting them

Dave Sweetman

Greatest Canadian band. Ever.

2 More Replies...

Shampoo Boy

These guys are so good and so consistent they should be international superstars.

Carolyn Simpson

This song is perfection — one of our Canadian gems.

James Lopez

Hello Cj how are you doing hope you’re having a great time with your family may God bless you and your family

Krystal Richardson

I'm right there with you

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