Carly Rae Jepsen has received three Juno Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and an Allan Slaight Award, in addition to nominations for Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, Polaris Music Prize and People's Choice Awards.
Tell Me
Carly Rae Jepsen Lyrics
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Baby is it yes or no
You've got a face that just don't show
What's going on inside
Tell me
I swear I'll take it on the chin
Don't sugar-coat where I fit in
Inside you there's a room
A room with a door
I finally come knocking
And I've been here before
Oh I've got this love for you
But what is if for
If you can't hear me then
Tell me
Last chance
Hold me in your arms and say
If you want this love to walk away
Tell me and I'll say goodbye
Inside you there's a room
A room with a door
I finally come knocking
And I've been here before
Oh I've got this love for you
But what is if for
If you can hear me then
I'll make it easy, I'm counting to three
Am I something you want or someone you need?
(Tell me that you want me, tell me that you love me) baby
(Tell me that you want me, tell me that you love me)
Just tell me that you want me, tell me that you love me
(Tell me that you want me, tell me that you love me)
Tell me, darling won't you tell me
I'm begging you to tell me
Tell me and I'll say goodbye
Carly Rae Jepsen's song Tell Me is an emotional ballad about romantic uncertainty and confusion. The lyrics speak from the perspective of a person who is in love, but unsure if their feelings are reciprocated. The opening lines, "Tell me, baby is it yes or no? You've got a face that just don't show," indicate that the singer is communicating with their crush, but struggling to read their expressions or body language. The chorus repeats the phrase "Tell me," emphasizing the need for clear communication and honesty in the relationship.
The bridge of the song describes the internal struggle of the singer as they wait for a response from their crush. The lines, "Inside you there's a room, a room with a door. I finally come knocking and I've been here before," suggest that the singer has emotionally invested in this relationship before, but has been hurt or let down in the past. The repetition of the line, "I've got this love for you, but what is it for?" conveys the singer's confusion and frustration with the situation.
The final verse of the song features a plea from the singer to their crush. They ask for a clear answer, saying, "Tell me that you want me, tell me that you love me, baby. Just tell me that you want me, tell me that you love me." The bridge is repeated, with the singer emphasizing their willingness to walk away from the relationship if their love is not returned.
Overall, the song portrays the vulnerability and uncertainty of romantic relationships, and the importance of clear communication and honesty in navigating these emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me, baby is it yes or no
The singer asks the listener to confirm whether they are interested in them or not.
You've got a face that just don't show
The singer cannot tell from the listener's facial expressions whether they are interested or not.
What's going on inside
The singer wants to know the listener's true feelings and intentions.
Tell me, I swear I'll take it on the chin
The artist promises to handle the listener's answer gracefully.
Don't sugar-coat where I fit in
The artist wants the listener's answer to be honest and unambiguous.
Inside you there's a room,
A room with a door
I finally come knocking
And I've been here before
Oh I've got this love for you
But what is if for
If you can't hear me then
The singer has feelings for the listener, but they've had trouble communicating in the past. They want the listener to open up and hear them out.
Tell me, last chance
The singer indicates that this is the listener's final opportunity to express their interest.
Hold me in your arms and say
If you want this love to walk away
Tell me and I'll say goodbye
The artist wants a clear answer from the listener, and is willing to end the relationship if the answer is no.
I'll make it easy, I'm counting to 3
Am I something you want or someone you need?
The artist is making it as easy as possible for the listener to answer the question, and is asking whether their feelings are genuine or just driven by necessity.
Tell me that you want me, tell me that you love me, baby
Tell me that you want me tell me that you love me
Just tell me that you want me, tell me that you love me
The artist wants to hear the listener say that they are interested and have feelings for them.
Tell me, darling won't you tell me
I'm begging you to tell me,
Tell me and I'll say goodbye
The singer is desperate for a clear answer from the listener, and is willing to end the relationship if necessary.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Carly Rae Jepsen, Ryan Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind