Why Do You Treat Me Like You Do
Donovan (Catch The Wind) Lyrics
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Hey, hey, hey, why do you treat me like you do?
There's just as many geese and they're flyin' down south
As there are lies just pouring out of your mouth
Hey, hey, hey, why do you treat me like you do?
You say that you're a young, girl, I guess that's your big excuse
But sometimes I get so low down I wanna shout out, what's the use?
You take me for a fool then you take me for a ride
Hey, hey, hey, why do you treat me like you do?
Ah, you seen my face, gal, with the tears all down my mouth
You came up, you held my hand, gal, you don't know what it's all about
I seen you goin' out, there was nothin' I could say
I hung around your house till the very break of day
Then you came a-laughin' down the bright highway
Now, why do you treat me like you do?
My mornings, they're all empty now, my evenings, they're just the same
Now maybe I been thinkin' wrong about you, gal
And you ain't really the one to blame
Keep on lovin' someone else, now don't you try to hide
You can take me for a fool if it keeps you satisfied
'Cause I ain't gonna be the one to ask the reason
Why do you treat me like you do?
The song, "Why Do You Treat Me Like You Do" by Donovan, explores the feelings of a man who is confused and hurt by the way his lover treats him. The repeated line, "why do you treat me like you do?" expresses his desperation for clarity about the relationship. He compares the lies that come out of her mouth to the geese flying down south, suggesting that they are both inevitable and unstoppable. The man acknowledges that his lover is young, but that is no excuse for her behavior towards him. He feels used and taken advantage of when she loves someone else openly, leaving him feeling like a fool who is being taken for a ride.
The lyrics show the cyclical nature of their relationship, as the man describes the highs and lows of their time together. He has seen her go out with someone else while he hangs around her house until daybreak. This painful experience reveals that she does not take his feelings into account at all. However, when she comes back, the man cannot resist and does not stop asking her why she treats him the way she does.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey, hey, why do you treat me like you do?
Asking why the person is treating the singer poorly.
There's just as many geese and they're flyin' down south As there are lies just pouring out of your mouth
Comparing the number of lies to the number of geese flying south.
You say that you're a young, girl, I guess that's your big excuse But sometimes I get so low down I wanna shout out, what's the use?
Acknowledging that the person's youth may be a reason for their behavior, but feeling frustrated with the situation.
When you've been a lovin' someone else you don't try to hide You take me for a fool then you take me for a ride
Accusing the person of being dishonest about their feelings and using the singer for their own benefit.
Ah, you seen my face, gal, with the tears all down my mouth You came up, you held my hand, gal, you don't know what it's all about
Recalling a time when the person comforted the singer, but feeling that they don't understand the true situation.
I seen you goin' out, there was nothin' I could say I hung around your house till the very break of day Then you came a-laughin' down the bright highway
Watching the person go out with someone else and feeling powerless, then seeing them return in a good mood.
My mornings, they're all empty now, my evenings, they're just the same Now maybe I been thinkin' wrong about you, gal And you ain't really the one to blame
Feeling sad and empty without the person, but also questioning if they are the one at fault.
Keep on lovin' someone else, now don't you try to hide You can take me for a fool if it keeps you satisfied 'Cause I ain't gonna be the one to ask the reason Why do you treat me like you do?
Accepting that the person may continue to love someone else and use the singer, but also refusing to ask why they are being mistreated.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DONOVAN LEITCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
christopher dawson
Bought this 45 in May of 65, loved both sides. Lost it that year, fool that I was, and have not heard this for close to half a century. Most of the Folk country whatever from that period is so beautiful. Where did the time go? Thanks u to all who post tunes here, i find all the treasures from my past!!! And this was truly to me beautiful
OH_I _Will
Cool....post it on the FB “B” sides group...
Laurensnl
I wish we had time machines, would love to experience the 60's. Love the music of that era, nothing comes close these days. Donovan is really great.
musicisbrilliant
Well said. :)
musicisbrilliant
Well said. :)
Pogo 3000
This song makes me think about a relationship I was in a while back where I was frequently cheated on. I let her do it over and over because I thought I was in love. It’s a shame I let myself get hurt like that
OH_I _Will
Hopefully you’ve gotten over your insecurities and moved on with more confidence in your abilities to find new lives..
dids
glad you’re out of it now. you deserve better.
Donovan R. Criswell
I wish more people knew of this song 🙂
Michael Whitley
One of the hardest but most satisfying songs I ever learned to play...it’s a deceptively tricky and lyrical song about PTSD...I think it was the B side of Catch the Wind? We will just have to keep it to ourselves until the world is ready...