Be Mean
DNCE Lyrics
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Don't forget the whip
My left hand's getting loose
Don't let me slip
Said you got some handcuffs
Throw out the key
I don't need a safe word
No you don't gotta save me
If pain's what you like
Torture me all night
Make love burnin'
Love how you keep me hurting
So ooh-ooh be mean, be mean to me
Be mean to me
With that body, you got the right to get naughty
So ooh-ooh be mean, be mean to me
Be mean to me
You say you gotta be the boss
'Cause you pay them bills
There's a brand new position
Someone's gotta fill (Pick me)
They say you need a whisper
You wanna hear me scream
Lookin' so smokin'
Honey, I can barely breathe
If pain's what you like
Torture me all night
Make love burnin'
Love how you keep me hurting
So ooh-ooh be mean, be mean to me
Be mean to me
With that body, you got the right to get naughty
So ooh-ooh be mean, be mean to me
Be mean to me
Would you promise that you'll always be mean, be mean to me?
Would you promise that you'll always be mean, be mean to me?
(You gotta be mean, baby, listen up, hey)
Gladly I'll take poison from your lips (From your lips)
Touch you when I burn my fingertips, ah, ah
I blame that to love, I must commit
If you want, then I'll submit
If you want, then I'll submit
(Ow!)
Make love burnin'
Love how you keep me hurting
So ooh-ooh be mean, be mean to me
Be mean to me
With that body, you got the right to get naughty
So ooh-ooh be mean, be mean to me
Be mean to me
Would you promise that you'll always be mean, be mean to me?
Would you promise that you'll always be mean, be mean to me?
The lyrics of DNCE's "Be Mean" seems to be a song about the pleasures of sadomasochistic sex, where the singer is consenting to his partner's sadistic tendencies. Words such as "whip," "handcuffs," and "torture" heavily suggest a BDSM theme, where the singer enjoys being hurt by his partner during sex. The lyrics also imply a dominance and submission aspect, with the singer wanting to submit fully to his partner's desires. The lines "Make love burnin', Love how you keep me hurting" and "So ooh-ooh be mean, be mean to me" reinforce this idea of the singer's enjoyment of pain, asking his partner to be "mean" to him.
However, the lyrics also suggest that the singer may feel uncomfortable with these desires and is seeking some reassurance from his partner by asking "Would you promise that you'll always be mean, be mean to me?" This implies that the singer is entrusting his partner with a lot of power, and he needs some form of reassurance or control in order to feel safe.
Overall, while the lyrics may seem provocative, the song seems to be a testament to exploring one's desires and to enjoy them with a partner who respects and understands one's boundaries.
Line by Line Meaning
Say you like the torture honey
You enjoy inflicting pain and suffering on me
Don't forget the whip
Don't neglect to use the whip as a form of torture
My left hand's getting loose
I'm losing control and need help from you
Don't let me slip
Don't allow me to lose control and slip away
Said you got some handcuffs
You have handcuffs that you want to use on me
Throw out the key
Don't be concerned with unlocking them, I want to be trapped
I don't need a safe word
I'm willing to endure any amount of pain without needing to stop
No you don't gotta save me
I don't want you to go easy on me, I want you to be as rough as you want
If pain's what you like
If you derive pleasure from causing pain and discomfort
Torture me all night
Inflict pain and suffering on me throughout the night
Make love burnin'
Intensify the passion between us
Love how you keep me hurting
I enjoy the pain you inflict on me
So ooh-ooh be mean, be mean to me
I want you to be rough and cruel to me
With that body, you got the right to get naughty
You are entitled to behave wildly and irresponsibly due to your attractive physique
You say you gotta be the boss
You want to be the one in charge and exert authority over me
'Cause you pay them bills
You feel entitled to control the relationship because you financially support it
There's a brand new position
There's a new role for someone to fulfill
Someone's gotta fill (Pick me)
I want to be the one to fill that position and meet your expectations
They say you need a whisper
People suggest that you like to hear sweet nothings in your ear
You wanna hear me scream
You want to hear me express pain and distress
Lookin' so smokin'
You look incredibly attractive and desirable
Honey, I can barely breathe
Your beauty and allure take my breath away
Would you promise that you'll always be mean, be mean to me?
Are you willing to commit to being perpetually cruel and callous towards me?
(You gotta be mean, baby, listen up, hey)
You need to embrace your inner sadist and treat me harshly
Gladly I'll take poison from your lips (From your lips)
I'm willing to endure anything from you, even if it's toxic or harmful
Touch you when I burn my fingertips, ah, ah
I want to be so close to you that I feel the heat of your body even if it causes me pain
I blame that to love, I must commit
My willingness to endure pain and suffering is because I'm in love with you
If you want, then I'll submit
I'm willing to submit under your authority and dominance if that's what you want
Ow!
I'm experiencing physical pain but it's worth it for the pleasure you give me
Would you promise that you'll always be mean, be mean to me?
Are you willing to commit to being perpetually cruel and callous towards me?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES ALAN GHALEB, JOSEPH JONAS, OSCAR MICHAEL GOERRES, OSCAR THOMAS HOLTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind