You Could Tell Me
Ferris Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's been so long
It's Been a minute since I've seen your face
Have you got
Have you finally got your story straight
Do you have some time to waste
Did they ever hear what you had to say
I just want to know
Are you okay
Are you okay

Just tell me where you've been
(Been so long)
Tell me where you've been
(Been so long)
Tell me where you've been
(I've been waiting on you so long)

Did you fade out again
Did you find the pieces you were looking for
Mind you forget your sins
Realizing the pieces never fit before
You know
I'm trying to look at everything that you've seen
Like watching your car drive off in a hurry
Replacing your heart

Just tell me where you've been
Tell me where you've been
Oh love
Tell me where you've been
(I've been waiting on you too long)

Just tell me where you've been
Tell me where you've been
Just tell me where you've been
Just tell me where you've been

Just tell me where you've been




Tell me where you've been
Just tell me where you've been

Overall Meaning

In "You Could Tell Me," Ferris reflects on a long absence from a person they care about and seeks to understand the state of their emotional well-being. The repetition of "It's been so long" emphasizes the time that has passed since they last saw the person, creating a sense of longing and anticipation.


The lyrics suggest that the person may have struggled with expressing themselves honestly in the past, hence the question of whether they have finally "got their story straight." Ferris wants to know if they have taken the time to reflect on their experiences and if others have listened to their thoughts and opinions. By expressing concern with the simple question, "Are you okay?" Ferris acknowledges their care and desire for the person's well-being.


The repeated request to "tell me where you've been" highlights Ferris's eagerness to reconnect and understand the person's journey during their absence. There is a sense of displacement and disconnection, indicated by the question of whether the person "faded out again." It is as if the person may have withdrawn or disconnected from their surroundings, leaving Ferris wondering about their emotional state.


The lyrics also point towards the person searching for something, looking for the "pieces" that would make their life complete. However, they may realize that these puzzle pieces, symbolic of their goals or desires, have never really fit together. This realization adds depth to the song by exploring themes of self-discovery and the pursuit of finding true fulfillment.


Overall, "You Could Tell Me" captures the longing for connection and understanding between Ferris and the person they address in the song. It explores themes of past struggles with self-expression, the search for personal growth, and the desire to understand one another. By asking the person to share their experiences and emotions, Ferris expresses their willingness to support and be present for the person they care about.


Line by Line Meaning

It's been so long
It has been a significant amount of time since we last spoke or saw each other.


It's Been a minute since I've seen your face
It has actually been quite a long time since I have had the pleasure of seeing your face.


Have you got
Have you finally achieved or attained


Have you finally got your story straight
Have you finally managed to sort out your thoughts and come up with a coherent narrative or explanation.


Do you have some time to waste
Are you ready to spend some time casually and leisurely without any specific plans or obligations.


Did they ever hear what you had to say
Did they, the people you wanted to communicate with, ever truly listen and understand the message you were trying to convey.


I just want to know
My only desire is to find out


Are you okay
Are you feeling alright both physically and emotionally.


Just tell me where you've been
Simply inform me about the places or situations you have been in during your absence.


Did you fade out again
Did you disappear or become less prominent again as if slowly fading away.


Did you find the pieces you were looking for
Did you manage to locate or discover the elements or parts you were searching for.


Mind you forget your sins
Did you happen to overlook or forget about the mistakes, wrongdoings, or regrets you have committed.


Realizing the pieces never fit before
Coming to the realization that the elements or components you tried to combine or connect in the past did not match or work together harmoniously.


You know
I'm sure you are aware or familiar with


I'm trying to look at everything that you've seen
I am attempting to perceive or understand every experience or situation that you have encountered.


Like watching your car drive off in a hurry
Similar to the sensation of observing your vehicle speed away quickly and urgently.


Replacing your heart
Substituting or exchanging your emotions and feelings with something else entirely.


Oh love
Used as an affectionate term or endearment to address the person being spoken to.


Just tell me where you've been
Simply reveal or disclose to me the locations or circumstances you have been in during your absence.


I've been waiting on you too long
I have been enduring an extended period of anticipation and longing for your return.




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Alec Higginbotham, Jack Farguson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

gcHK47

I may be a 90s kid, but I love how the 80s seemed to be such a positive time in American history.

Bethlila

@Lauren Middleton cool my mum was too and she says the same

Joshua Thomas

@ILSRWY4 amen brother couldn’t have said it better myself

HyungOppaHelper

I’m blessed to be an 80’s kid. This is exactly the kind of zeitgeist that existed during this time

28 More Replies...

AshesCan'tBeBurned

"He's gonna marry me"
Always been one of my favorite lines

Mickey Farmer

@Jon Also, AFTER they discuss it and AFTER this scene...he still stops to flirt with the 2 bikini'd girls on his run home.

Jon

@motherlove You're right, they do discuss it, but I don't think that changes anything. They're really flippant about it. They're kids, they're in love and they're blissfully stupid.

Facetina

@Jon precisely.

motherlove

@Jon they have discussed it in the movie tho

Jon

@Bob Smith I actually don't think that's a Hollywood line. She believes what she's saying, but John Hughes, a middle-aged guy, wrote this movie. He knows the likelihood of them marrying is low, but she's at an age where you think good things last forever. It's a sentimental line, but it comes out of nowhere. To a certain degree, the audience is meant to go, "Oh. Where did that come from?" Hughes just lets the line go unanswered. He doesn't correct her or interrupt her feelings. She's naive. Which gives the line more depth than it would have in typical teen romcom. A lesser movie would believe that line — and sell it — as much as the character does.

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