Got My Mind Made Up
Bob Dylan/Tom Petty Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you don't want to love me then don't say I'm your man
Honey if you don't want to love me, don't you say I'm your man
Oh what's the matter baby, can't you see
This is not the first time it's happened to me?
I got my mind made up
I got my mind made up
If you don't want to kiss me, honey, then don't touch my hand
If you don't want to kiss me, honey, you better not touch my hand
I don't quite get it, why can't you see
This ain't the first time it's happened to me?
I got my mind made up
I got my mind made up
I got my mind made up
I got my mind made up
And if you don't really need me, honey, don't say you do
If you don't really need me, honey, then don't say you do
??? something I said
Still won't convince you not to play with my head, oh yeah
I got my mind made up
I got my mind made up
I got my mind made up




Mind made up
I got my mind made up

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bob Dylan/Tom Petty's song 'Got My Mind Made Up' seem to revolve around the idea of unrequited love. The singer is pleading with his lover not to give him false hope by saying they love him, when it's clear that they don't. The repeated lines "If you don't want to love me then don't say I'm your man" and "If you don't want to kiss me, honey, then don't touch my hand" convey a sense of frustration and anger towards the lover who is leading the singer on.


The singer is tired of being played with and is "got [his] mind made up" to move on from this relationship. He asks his lover to be honest and not play with his head anymore. The lyrics are simple and direct, but the way Bob Dylan/Tom Petty deliver them with their raw vocals and harmonica and guitar solos, create a powerful sense of urgency in the song.


Overall, 'Got My Mind Made Up' is a bluesy rock song about dealing with unreciprocated feelings of love and being fed up with false promises. The repetition of certain phrases and Dylan's signature harmonica drawing out the lyrics, create a semi-improvisational feel to the song that reflects the frustration of the singer.


Line by Line Meaning

If you don't want to love me then don't say I'm your man
If you're not interested in being with me, don't lead me on by calling me your partner.


Honey if you don't want to love me, don't you say I'm your man
My dear, if you're not interested in being in a romantic relationship with me, please don't claim me as yours.


Oh what's the matter baby, can't you see This is not the first time it's happened to me?
What's the issue, darling, can't you realize that I've been through this before?


I got my mind made up
I've made a decision and I'm sticking to it.


If you don't want to kiss me, honey, then don't touch my hand
If you're not interested in being physically affectionate with me, then refrain from any physical touch.


I don't quite get it, why can't you see This ain't the first time it's happened to me?
I'm having a hard time understanding why you can't see that I've gone through this same situation multiple times before.


And if you don't really need me, honey, don't say you do ??? something I said Still won't convince you not to play with my head, oh yeah
If you don't truly require my presence in your life, please don't tell me otherwise. And even though I've tried to convey my feelings to you, it seems like you'll still continue to toy with my emotions.


I got my mind made up I got my mind made up I got my mind made up Mind made up I got my mind made up
I'm determined to stick to my decision and not waver from it.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Thomas Earl Petty

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions