Mockingbird
Dusty Springfield Lyrics
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He's gonna buy me a mockingbird
And if that mockingbird won't sing
He's gonna buy me a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring won't shine
He's gonna surely break this heart of mine
And that's why I keep on tellin' ev'rybody, sayin'
Wo, wo, wo, wo, wo
Hear me now and understand
He's gonna find me some peace of mind
And if that peace of mind won't stay
I'm gonna find myself a better way
And if that better way ain't so
I, I, I'll ride with the tide and go with the flow
And that's why I keep on shoutin' in your ear sayin'
Wo, wo, wo, wo, wo
Everybody have you heard?
She's gonna buy me a mockingbird
And if that mockingbird won't sing
She's gonna buy me a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring won't shine
She's gonna surely break this heart of mine
And that's why I keep on tellin' ev'rybody, sayin' no, no, no, no,no
Listen now and understand
She's gonna find me some peace of mind
And if that peace of mind won't stay
I'm gonna find myself a better way
I might rise above , I might go below
I, I, I'll ride with the tide and go with the flow
And that's why I keep on shoutin' in your ears y'all
No, no, no, no, no, no, now, now, baby
The song "Mockingbird" by Dusty Springfield is a rendition of the classic American folk song, which was originally written and recorded by Inez and Charlie Foxx in 1963. The song is essentially a conversation between two lovers, with each of them feeling like they need to prove their love through materialistic terms. The persistent repetition of the phrase "He's gonna buy me a mockingbird" and "She's gonna buy me a diamond ring" emphasizes the importance of these material possessions to the lovers. It also conveys that the happiness of the singer is entirely hinged upon whether their partner gets them what they want. However, if these things fail to bring them the desired happiness, they have to find alternatives to bring themselves the peace of mind they crave.
The tone of the song is seemingly lighthearted, characterized by its upbeat melody and playful delivery. Still, the underlying message is quite serious: the power dynamic in relationships and the importance of material possessions in them. The female perspective in the song presents a bold declaration of self-worth and independence from a male partner who may feel they can hold more sway in the relationship due to the financial power they exercise.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody have you heard?
Attention! Everyone listen up!
He's gonna buy me a mockingbird
He promised to get me a singing bird as a gift
And if that mockingbird won't sing
If the bird doesn't live up to its promise
He's gonna buy me a diamond ring
He will get a lavish gift to make up for it
And if that diamond ring won't shine
If the gift doesn't meet expectations
He's gonna surely break this heart of mine
Love will be lost and sadness will follow
And that's why I keep on tellin' ev'rybody, sayin' Wo, wo, wo, wo, wo
I keep warning everyone about the consequences of false promises
Hear me now and understand
Pay attention to what I have to say, it's important
He's gonna find me some peace of mind
He will provide emotional stability
And if that peace of mind won't stay
If emotional stability is temporary
I'm gonna find myself a better way
I will seek a healthier solution
And if that better way ain't so
If the new solution doesn't work out
I, I, I'll ride with the tide and go with the flow
I will adapt to changing circumstances
And that's why I keep on shoutin' in your ear sayin' Wo, wo, wo, wo, wo
I keep stressing the importance of adapting to changes
She's gonna buy me a mockingbird
She promised to give me a singing bird as a gift
And if that mockingbird won't sing
If the bird fails to live up to expectations
She's gonna buy me a diamond ring
She will try to make up for it with a fancy gift
And if that diamond ring won't shine
If the gift doesn't meet expectations
She's gonna surely break this heart of mine
Love will be lost and sadness will follow
And that's why I keep on tellin' ev'rybody, sayin' no, no, no, no,no
I warn everyone that false promises can bring heartache
Listen now and understand
Pay attention to me, what I have to say is important
She's gonna find me some peace of mind
She will provide emotional stability
And if that peace of mind won't stay
If the emotional stability is temporary
I'm gonna find myself a better way
I will search for a healthier solution
I might rise above , I might go below
I am prepared for whatever happens
I, I, I'll ride with the tide and go with the flow
I will adapt to changing circumstances
And that's why I keep on shoutin' in your ears y'all
No, no, no, no, no, no, now, now, baby
I urge people to be cautious and not give into false promises
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charlie Foxx, Inez Foxx
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anonymous
on You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Lisa Dillan - Lyrics
When I said, I needed you
You said you would always stay
It wasn't me who changed, but you
And now you've gone away
Don't you see that now you're gone
And I'm left here on my own
Then I have to follow you
And beg you to come home
You don't have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don't have to stay forever
I will understand
Believe me,
I can't help but love you
But believe me, I'll never tie you down
Left alone with just a memory
Life seems dead and so unreal
All that's left is loneliness
There's nothing left to feel
You don't have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don't have to stay forever
I will understand
Believe me, believe me
You don't have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don't have to stay forever
I will understand
Believe me, believe me. Believe me…