Mean to Me
Charlie Parker Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're mean to me
Why must you be mean to me?
Gee, honey, it seems to me
You love to see me cryin'
I don't know why
I stay home each night
When you say you phone
You don't and I'm left alone.

Sing the blues and sighin'
You treat me coldly each day in the year
You always scold me
Whenever somebody is near, dear
I must be great fun to be mean to me




You shouldn't, for can't you see
What you mean to me

Overall Meaning

In Charlie Parker's song "Mean to Me", the singer is expressing their hurt towards a partner who is consistently cruel and inconsiderate. The opening line of the song, "You're mean to me, why must you be mean to me?" sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer wonders why their partner enjoys seeing them upset and crying. They express confusion as to why they continue to stay home each night, waiting for a phone call that never comes. The singer feels neglected, alone, and sad.


The song continues with the singer stating that they are treated coldly every day in the year. Their partner scolds them, belittling them in front of others. Despite this, the singer knows that they must be "great fun to be mean to." The final line, "You shouldn't, for can't you see what you mean to me" reveals the singer's true feelings towards their partner. Despite the cruelty, they still have a deep love for their partner and hope that they will begin treating them with kindness and respect.


Line by Line Meaning

You're mean to me
You treat me harshly and unkindly


Why must you be mean to me?
I don't understand why you choose to treat me this way


Gee, honey, it seems to me
I have a suspicion that


You love to see me cryin'
You take pleasure in seeing me upset


I don't know why
I can't fathom the reason why


I stay home each night
I choose to remain at home every evening


When you say you phone
After you claim to call me


You don't and I'm left alone.
You don't actually call me, and I'm left feeling abandoned


Sing the blues and sighin'
I express my sorrow and distress vocally


You treat me coldly each day in the year
You display aloof and uncaring behavior towards me on a daily basis


You always scold me
You continuously criticize and reprimand me


Whenever somebody is near, dear
You are especially hard on me when other people are around


I must be great fun to be mean to me
You seem to take enjoyment in treating me cruelly


You shouldn't, for can't you see
It's not necessary or beneficial for you to do this, and I wish you'd understand


What you mean to me
How much I care for you, despite your unkind actions




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Comments from YouTube:

@LaurentJames

Cela signifie tout pour moi puisque cela swingue.

@HairBilly

c finale piano

@TedSilar

I"m viewing!

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