Tell Me What
Fine Young Cannibals Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tell me what, tell me what
Tell me what I've got to do

To make you notice, to make you look this way
What do I have to say
Tell me what, tell me what I have to say

To keep you with me, to make you want to stay
To have you every day
Tell me what, tell me what I gotta do

Are you happy, I can never tell
You keep it to yourself

Tell me what, tell me what it is you feel

Do you get frightened
Am I comin' on, just a little too strong
And you're so quiet, I never know or not
If I'm right or wrong

Tell me what, tell me what
Tell me what I gotta do

Is there something I ought to be told
Do you want to go
Tell me what, tell me what it is you know

So it's over, then we're really through?
What I heard is true
Tell me what, tell me what your gonna do

To keep you with me, to make you want to stay




Too have you every day
Tell me what, tell me what I've gotta do

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Fine Young Cannibals' song Tell Me What are about a person's yearning for attention and affection from someone they desire. The singer is trying to understand what they need to say or do to catch the attention of the person they are interested in. They ask a series of questions to understand the other person's thoughts and emotions, trying to navigate a complex set of feelings and desires.


The lyrics suggest that the singer is unsure if their romantic interest is reciprocated or if they are coming on too strong. They want to be clear about their intentions and are looking for guidance on how to navigate the relationship. In the end, the singer is left with many questions and fears that the relationship may not work out.


Overall, the song captures the universal human experience of seeking love and connection, while also highlighting the complex emotions that come with navigating a romantic relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Tell me what, tell me what
Expressing the desire to know what needs to be done or said


Tell me what I've got to do
Asking for direction or guidance towards a goal


To make you notice, to make you look this way
Wanting attention and recognition from the person


What do I have to say
Asking for the specific words needed to be spoken


To keep you with me, to make you want to stay
Expressing the desire to maintain the relationship


To have you every day
Wishing to spend time with the person daily


Are you happy, I can never tell
Showing uncertainty about the person's emotional state


You keep it to yourself
The person doesn't share their true feelings


Tell me what it is you feel
Asking for the person's emotions to be revealed


Do you get frightened
Asking about the person's fears


Am I comin' on, just a little too strong
Questioning if one's approach or behavior is overwhelming


And you're so quiet, I never know or not
The person's silence makes it difficult to know how they feel


If I'm right or wrong
Uncertainty about whether one's actions are correct or incorrect


Is there something I ought to be told
Questioning if there is important information that needs to be shared


Do you want to go
Asking if the person desires to leave or end the relationship


Tell me what it is you know
Asking for any important knowledge the person has


So it's over, then we're really through?
Questioning if the relationship has ended


What I heard is true
Confirmation of rumors or information


Tell me what you're gonna do
Asking for the person's intentions or plans


Too have you every day
Wishing to spend time with the person daily


Tell me what I've gotta do
Reiterating the desire for direction or guidance




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID STEELE, ROLAND GIFT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@milanperisic1179

I was 16 at the time and this song went under the radar. Now I fully enjoy 30 years after. beautiful song.

@trippymchippy8586

Hello fellow GenX ;)

@woodrowmulligan7158

A friend of mine had this as her first dance song at her wedding. It was fantastic!!!!

@Widderic

That's awesome!

@dbrown2264

I’m proud to say this was the first album I ever bought.

@HiGlowie

Wish I could say I was that cool.

Mine was Backstreet’s Back. As far as top 40 slop goes it holds up imo.

@robertwilson8715

1988 Masterpiece

@oddfelder1887

Definitely a classic and the all time favorite

@paulb1214

Forever beautiful

@karmamelk9

Thank you for this! Still as good as I remember it!

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