Lemonade
Buttertones Lyrics
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I can't think straight
She's looking my way
I get sick and my hands start to shake when she says my name
She's cold and sour like a tall glass of lemonade on that hot summer day
That tight dress, I must confess
She fucks with my head
I try to speak but I'm on tongue and cheek
And she walks away
Think of something to say
If I had her, I'd be complete
But I gotta be something that, she needs
She never gives me a sign, she just takes her time
Oh baby please, replenish my mind
And be my tall glass of lemonade on that hot summer day
Oh that tight skirt, she makes me hurt
What can I say?
The song "Lemonade" by The Buttertones is a love song infused with a bit of anxiety and self-doubt. The singer is immediately captivated by the object of his affection, describing her as sweet and alluring. However, he also acknowledges that her presence leaves him feeling somewhat disoriented and nervous – he "can't think straight" in her presence, and his hands shake when she says his name.
While the lyrics suggest that the singer is incredibly taken by this woman, he is also aware that she might be somewhat difficult to manage. He describes her as "cold and sour" – a reference to her apparent detachment and unwillingness to reciprocate his emotions in a straightforward way. Nevertheless, he is obviously smitten with her, as evidenced by his infatuation with her physical appearance (the "tight dress" that he "must confess" reminds him of her).
Although the singer feels somewhat powerless in this situation, he still holds out hope that their relationship might deepen over time. He knows that he needs to become someone who is attractive to her, rather than just waiting for her to come around. The song is ultimately a plea for this woman to notice the singer and to see him as the "tall glass of lemonade" that she needs on a hot summer day - despite his anxieties and insecurities.
Line by Line Meaning
She's sweet and she's not concentrated
She has a charming disposition and is not bogged down by any worries or burdens.
I can't think straight
Her presence creates such an intense impression on the singer that it becomes difficult for him to concentrate on anything else.
She's looking my way
The subject of the song is giving the singer her attention and this causes him some nervousness.
I get sick and my hands start to shake when she says my name
The artist is so overwhelmed by his desire for the subject of the song that even hearing his own name spoken by her makes him physically ill and jittery.
She's cold and sour like a tall glass of lemonade on that hot summer day
Though attractive, she has an aloof and somewhat unapproachable demeanor, like a tart and refreshing drink on a hot day that doesn't quite quench your thirst.
That tight dress, I must confess
The singer is attracted to her physically and is aroused by her appearance in a tight-fitting outfit.
She fucks with my head
Her behavior and response to the singer cause him emotional turmoil and confusion, perhaps because she is not showing clear interest or signals of attraction.
I try to speak but I'm on tongue and cheek
The artist struggles to communicate and express his feelings because he is too nervous and shy to speak candidly.
And she walks away
The subject of the song leaves the scene, perhaps because she is not interested or because the artist didn't make a move to engage her.
Think of something to say
The artist is ruminating on ways to impress or connect with the subject of the song, now that she has left and he is reflecting on the missed opportunity.
If I had her, I'd be complete
The singer sees the subject of the song as a necessary part of his romantic fulfillment and hopes to be with her someday.
But I gotta be something that, she needs
In order to win her over, the artist feels as though he needs to change or improve himself in some way that will be more appealing to her specifically.
She never gives me a sign, she just takes her time
The subject of the song is not indicating any obvious interest or disinterest in the singer and is proceeding cautiously and slowly.
Oh baby please, replenish my mind
The singer is pleading with the subject of the song to give him clarity or insight into her thoughts and feelings.
And be my tall glass of lemonade on that hot summer day
By taking an interest in him and showing her attraction, the subject of the song would be like a refreshing and satisfying drink on a hot day, easing his emotional tension.
Oh that tight skirt, she makes me hurt
The artist is deeply affected by the subject of the song's physical appearance and is in emotional distress when thinking about her in an outfit that highlights her beauty.
What can I say?
The artist is struggling to express his emotions and win over the subject of the song, leaving him at a loss for words.
Contributed by Nathan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.