Eleni Mandell, a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, California, often cite… Read Full Bio ↴Eleni Mandell, a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, California, often cites Tom Waits and X as her biggest influences. Mandell self-released her Jon Brion-produced debut album Wishbone in 1998. Thrill followed in 2000 on Zedtone Records - the label that has released all of her subsequent full-length albums: Snakebite, the all-country album Country for True Lovers, Afternoon, Miracle of Five, and Artificial Fire. I Can See the Future is her first release on Yep Roc. Mandell also has several releases on the Minneapolis based Heart of a Champion record label: vinyl pressings of Snakebite and Country for True Lovers, two 7" singles, and a limited edition jazz vocal CD EP titled Maybe, Yes. Mandell's songs have appeared in several movies and television shows (including Six Feet Under), and she received much acclaim for her cover of the song "I Love Paris", which was used in a fast food commercial starring Paris Hilton. Mandell also sings, plays guitar, and writes for the L.A. pop supergroup The Grabs. She is also one-third of The Living Sisters.

Can't You See I'm Soulful
Eleni Mandell Lyrics

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You treat me bad
Like I'm easy
Like I'm offending you
You treat me hard
Like I'm breezy
And I'm blowin' by your school

Don't you know

Can't you see
That I'm soulful?
Treat me like I'm heavy

You treat me light
Like I'm lazy
Like I'm brand-spankin' new
You treat me hard
Like I'm crazy
Just a candy-colored jewel

Don't you know
Can't you see
That I'm soulful?
Treat me like I'm heavy

Well, I got no reason to stay around
Just want you to know what you let go
We coulda got down, yeah

Well, I got no reason to stay around
I just want you to know what you let go
We coulda got down
Yeah, oh yeah

You treat me wrong
Like I'm silly
Like I'm somebody's fool
You treat me hard
Like I'm windy
And I'm blowin' by your school

Don't you know
Can't you see
I'm soulful?
Don't you know
Can't you see
That I'm soulful?

Don't you know
Can't you see

I'm soulful?
Treat me like I'm heavy

Overall Meaning

In Eleni Mandell's song "Can't You See I'm Soulful," the singer is expressing her frustration with her lover's treatment of her. She feels that she is not being taken seriously and is being treated as if she is insignificant or easy. She wants to be treated with more respect and as a person with depth and soul. Mandell emphasizes this sentiment with the repeated refrain "Don't you know/Can't you see that I'm soulful?/Treat me like I'm heavy."

The lyrics also convey a sense of disappointment and missed opportunity. The singer feels as though they could have had something special together, but her lover's dismissive behavior has caused her to lose interest. The lines "We coulda got down" and "I just want you to know what you let go" underline this regret.

Overall, the song is about wanting to be seen and valued for who you are and feeling frustrated when others don't treat you as such. It is a powerful testament to the importance of recognizing and valuing each other's souls.

Line by Line Meaning

You treat me bad
You treat me poorly

Like I'm easy
Like it's easy to disrespect me

Like I'm offending you
Like I'm purposely trying to upset you

You treat me hard
You treat me with difficulty

Like I'm breezy
Like I'm carefree and insignificant

And I'm blowin' by your school
And I'm leaving you behind

Don't you know
You should know

Can't you see
Why can't you recognize

That I'm soulful?
That I have depth and emotion

Treat me like I'm heavy
Treat me like I matter

You treat me light
You treat me frivolously