Don't Ask Me
Dury Ian & The Blockheads Lyrics

The lyrics of "Don't Ask Me" by Ian Dury and The Blockheads are infused with absurdity and wit, making the meaning of the song difficult to pin down. At first glance, the opening lines sound nonsensical - "Here I stand with a doughnut for a brain" - and lead into a declaration about needing to see someone again. The following line, "Is it his or is it ain't?" adds another layer of confusion. Dury may be suggesting that he's not sure if he should pursue this person or if they're already taken.

The chorus of the song - "Don't ask me / to leave it out, or turn it up, or pack it in" - is repeated throughout and becomes a refrain that refuses to provide clarity. Dury seems to be making light of the pressure to make decisions or take action, as if it's all too overwhelming. In the second verse, Dury refers to himself as "an ignorant" and claims that he believes he and the object of his affection are "tailor made" for each other. The lines "I'm a crumb / and I'm in your lemonade" suggest that he's insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but that he's still present and affecting the situation in his own small way.

It's possible that the entire song is a commentary on the absurdity and confusion of love and relationships, as well as the pressure to conform to societal expectations. The chorus could be seen as a refusal to play by anyone else's rules and a celebration of individuality. Overall, the lyrics of "Don't Ask Me" are cleverly constructed and full of wordplay and irony.