By her third album in 1990, Anything Is Possible, Gibson’s chart fortunes were diminishing; only the lead single, the album’s title track, made any headway, peaking at #26. It would be her final U.S. top 40 entry. She shed the wholesome teen image for 1993’s Body, Mind, Soul, and later appeared in a Playboy magazine pictorial. Despite her diminished profile, another seven albums followed between 1995 and 2022. In 2006, she reached # 24 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart with "Say Goodbye,” a duet with Jordan Knight. Gibson has also had starring roles on Broadway and touring musicals, including playing Eponine in Les Misérables and Sandy in Grease, as well as television and independent film work.
Jaded
Debbie Gibson Lyrics
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When you hurt that deep
When the knives that sharp
When the arrow's aimed right for your heart
When you trust enough to let him in
Then the games begin
When the stakes are just a bit too high
And danger is waiting to take away your innocence
It's just
[Chorus:]
I'm jaded enough to keep up my defenses
I never thought it could happen to me
I'm a cynical girl
Seeing life through the lenses so I don't get hurt again
Jaded I am
[Verse 2:]
I'm talking to myself how could this be
No one's ever made a fool of me
No one's had the power, held the key to open up that door
Then slam it in a blink, in a fatal twist
Turned inside out I live with this
Day in, Day out
I must begin again
But
[Chorus 2X]
[Bridge:]
Trusting in no one is no way to go on
I know, I know, I know
Someone tell my heart that bleeds on and on
How could I ever take a lover into my trembling arms
oh
[Chorus 2X]
In the song "Jaded" by Debbie Gibson, the lyrics explore themes of trust, innocence and heartbreak. The first verse introduces the idea of someone letting their guard down and allowing someone into their life, but the risks involved with doing so. The stakes are high and danger is waiting to take away one's innocence. It's not necessarily the person who is jaded but rather the experiences and situations that have led them to become cynical and closed off. The chorus reflects the singer's cynical view of the world, as she is guarded to keep up her defenses and protect herself from being hurt again.
The second verse delves deeper into the vulnerabilities one can feel when they open up to someone else. The singer talks to herself, wondering how someone could have made a fool of her, when she thought she was invulnerable. She tries to move on from the pain and start anew but finds it difficult to do so. The second chorus emphasizes the singer's lack of trust in others and her need for emotional self-preservation. The bridge offers a moment for reflection, acknowledging that not trusting anyone is an unhealthy way to go on, but the singer's bleeding heart needs someone to tell it otherwise.
Line by Line Meaning
When you hurt that deep
When you have been hurt so badly that it goes deep into your soul
When the knives that sharp
When the pain is intense and sharp like the edge of a knife
When the arrow's aimed right for your heart
When you're vulnerable and the things that hurt you the most are aimed directly at your heart
When you trust enough to let him in
When you open yourself up to someone and trust them to enter your life
Then the games begin
Then the power struggle and mind games start
When the stakes are just a bit too high
When the risks are too great to take
And danger is waiting to take away your innocence
And the risk is taking away your purity or goodness
It's not you, It's me
The failure isn't your fault, it's the other person's
I'm jaded enough to keep up my defenses
I'm skeptical and defensive enough to not let anyone in fully
I never thought it could happen to me
I never thought I would be the one to experience this kind of pain
I'm a cynical girl
I'm negative and doubtful about love and relationships
Seeing life through the lenses so I don't get hurt again
Viewing life through a filter of skepticism and doubt to protect myself from getting hurt again
Jaded I am
I am emotionally exhausted and disenchanted with love
I'm talking to myself how could this be
I'm questioning how I could have allowed this to happen
No one's ever made a fool of me
No one has ever been able to take advantage of me or make me look foolish
No one's had the power, held the key to open up that door
No one has ever had the ability to truly open up my heart and allow me to love fully
Then slam it in a blink, in a fatal twist
Then suddenly and unexpectedly, they crush my heart and leave me reeling
Turned inside out I live with this
I am left feeling exposed and vulnerable, and forced to live with the aftermath of the hurt
Day in, Day out
Everyday, constantly
I must begin again
I am forced to start over and try to rebuild
Trusting in no one is no way to go on
It's not healthy to live life without trust in others
Someone tell my heart that bleeds on and on
I need someone to help ease the emotional pain I feel
How could I ever take a lover into my trembling arms
How can I ever trust someone enough to love them again, given my past experiences?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARTI FREDERIKSEN, STEVEN TYLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind