Nobody's Girl
Bonnie Raitt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's heard it every single day of her life
He's got to wonder what she sees in him
When there's so many others standing in line
She gives herself to him, but he's still on the outside
She's alone in this world
She's nobody's girl
She's nobody's girl
She shows up at this doorstep in the middle of the night
Then she disappears for weeks at a time
It's just enough to keep him wanting more
But never is he satisfied
And he's left to pick up the pieces
Wondering what does he do this for
She's off in her own little world
She's nobody's girl
She's nobody's girl
He said before I met her, I didn't love nothin'
I could take it or leave it, that was okay
She brings out a want in me
For things I didn't even know that I need
She does anything she wants, anytime she wants to
With anyone, you know, she wants it all
Still she gets all upset over the least little thing
When you hurt her, it makes you feel so small
And she's a walking contradiction
But I ache for her inside
She's fragile like a string of pearls
She's nobody's girl
She's fragile like a string of pearls
She's nobody's girl
She's nobody's girl
She's nobody's girl
Nobody's Girl by Bonnie Raitt is a melancholic song that tells the story of a woman who is independent and confident yet still feels alone in the world. The singer sings about how nobody needs to tell her that she's pretty because she's heard it every day of her life. Despite this, she chooses to be with her partner, who questions what she sees in him when there are so many others standing in line. The lyrics suggest that while she does give herself to him, the singer remains on the outside, observing her partner instead of being a part of his life completely.
The song then goes on to describe how the woman shows up at her partner's doorstep in the middle of the night, disappearing for weeks at a time, keeping him wanting more but never satisfied. While her partner is left wondering what he does this for, the woman remains in her own little world. The chorus repeats the title's statement that she is "nobody's girl" and reiterates the theme of isolation despite being in a relationship.
The final verse describes how the woman is a walking contradiction. She acts independently and does anything she wants with anyone she wants, yet she still gets upset over the least little thing. Despite this, the singer still aches for her inside because of her fragility, described as "fragile like a string of pearls." The song ends with the repetition of the chorus and the final confirmation that she is, indeed, nobody's girl.
Line by Line Meaning
She don't need anybody to tell her she's pretty
She's confident in her own beauty.
She's heard it every single day of her life
People frequently compliment her looks.
He's got to wonder what she sees in him
He feels inferior to her.
When there's so many others standing in line
Others also find her attractive.
She gives herself to him, but he's still on the outside
He can't fully understand her.
She's alone in this world
Despite being popular, she feels lonely.
She's nobody's girl
She doesn't belong to anyone.
She shows up at this doorstep in the middle of the night
She visits him unexpectedly.
Then she disappears for weeks at a time
She's unpredictable and unreliable.
It's just enough to keep him wanting more
Her absence makes him desire her more.
But never is he satisfied
He can't have her completely.
And he's left to pick up the pieces
He's hurt and confused by her behavior.
Wondering what does he do this for
He questions why he stays with her.
She's off in her own little world
She's disconnected from reality.
He said before I met her, I didn't love nothin'
He didn't have strong feelings before meeting her.
I could take it or leave it, that was okay
He was content with a simple life.
She brings out a want in me
She makes him crave more from life.
For things I didn't even know that I need
She reveals desires he didn't realize he had.
She does anything she wants, anytime she wants to
She's impulsive and reckless.
With anyone, you know, she wants it all
She's not selective with her partners.
Still she gets all upset over the least little thing
Despite her free spirit, she's sensitive.
When you hurt her, it makes you feel so small
She has a powerful impact on him.
And she's a walking contradiction
She's complex and unpredictable.
But I ache for her inside
He's deeply and emotionally attached to her.
She's fragile like a string of pearls
She's vulnerable and valuable to him.
She's nobody's girl
She's fiercely independent and unattainable.
She's fragile like a string of pearls
She's valuable and requires careful handling.
She's nobody's girl
She doesn't belong to anyone and can't be tamed.
She's nobody's girl
She's independent and doesn't rely on anyone else.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Larry John McNally
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind