In 1990 the band won two Brit Awards: Best British Group, and Best British Album for "The Raw and the Cooked" which also reached number one in the US album charts. It was re-packed as a remix album ("The Raw & the Remix" and spawned six singles over three years; "She Drives Me Crazy","Good Thing", "Don't Look Back", "I'm Not the Man I Used to Be", "I'm Not Satisfied" and "It's O.K. (It's Alright)".
The trio split in 1992, though they recorded a new track in 1996 to promote their The Finest compilation. Gift soon reactivated the brand and toured in the 2000s as Roland Gift and the Fine Young Cannibals.
Fine Young Cannibals appeared as the house band in the 1987 film comedy Tin Men, peforming some of the songs that ended up on The Raw and the Cooked. Steele and Cox had previously recorded under the moniker Two Men A Drum Machine and a Trumpet.
Tell Me What
Fine Young Cannibals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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
@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!