According to the Sweet About Me Songfacts, this was the most played song in the UK in 2009 on all media.
Sweet About Me
Gabriella Cilmi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hanging by a string this time
Don't, easily
The climax of the perfect life
And you, watching me
Hanging by a string this time
Don't, easily
My smile's worth a hundred lies
And if there's lessons to be learned
I'd rather get my jamming words in first, so
I'll tell you something that I've found
That the world's a better place
When it's upside down, boy
And if there's lessons to be learned
I'd rather get my jamming words in first, so
Oh when you're playing with desire
Don't come running to my place
When it burns like fire, boy
Ooh, nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Ooh, nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Ooh, nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Ooh, nothing sweet about me, yeah
Blue, blue, blue waves, they crash
As time goes by so hard to catch
Too, too smooth, ain't all that
Why don't you ride on my side of the tracks
And if there's lessons to be learned
I'd rather get my jamming words in first, so
I'll tell you something that I've found
That the world's a better place
When it's upside down, boy
And if there's lessons to be learned
I'd rather get my jamming words in first, though
When you're playing with desire
Don't come running to my place
When it burns like fire, boy
Ooh, nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Ooh, nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Ooh, nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Ooh, nothing sweet about me, yeah
Ooh, and I oh I ooh
Doo la da da da, la da da da da, la da da da ooh
These lyrics speak of a woman who is aware of the male figure in her life who is watching her and hanging her by a string. He is drawn to her irresistible smile, despite her telling him that her smile is worth a hundred lies. She warns him that playing with desire will not lead him to her when it burns like fire. She has learned her lessons and prefers to have the upper hand in their interactions. She believes that the world is a better place when turned upside down, suggesting that it is better to take risks and experience the unknown, rather than always playing it safe.
The chorus repeatedly declares that there is nothing sweet about the singer, who seems to be confident and self-assured, yet uninterested in playing into the expectations of what a man would want from her. Meanwhile, she taunts him with the line "Why don't you ride on my side of the tracks," suggesting that he is not adventurous enough to follow her on her journey.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sweet About Me" capture a sense of independence, rebellion and self-awareness that are common themes in many modern pop songs.
Line by Line Meaning
You, watching me
Hanging by a string this time
Don't, easily
The climax of the perfect life
And you, watching me
Hanging by a string this time
Don't, easily
My smile's worth a hundred lies
You're observing me and waiting for me to fail. However, don't keep your hopes too high because even in the event that things don't go my way, I won't give up easily. I won't let my confident exterior crumble just because it's expected of me.
And if there's lessons to be learned
I'd rather get my jamming words in first, so
I'll tell you something that I've found
That the world's a better place
When it's upside down, boy
I will speak my truth before anyone else gets the chance to tell their version of the story. In my experience, the world is a better place when it's unconventional and unpredictable.
And if there's lessons to be learned
I'd rather get my jamming words in first, so
Oh when you're playing with desire
Don't come running to my place
When it burns like fire, boy
If you're going to play games with me and try to use me to fulfill your desires, don't come back when you're the one getting burned.
Ooh, nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Ooh, nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Ooh, nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Ooh, nothing sweet about me, yeah
I'm not your typical sweet girl, so don't expect me to act as such. I'm confident in my own skin and I won't apologize for being myself.
Blue, blue, blue waves, they crash
As time goes by so hard to catch
Too, too smooth, ain't all that
Why don't you ride on my side of the tracks
Life is unpredictable and even the things we think we have figured out can suddenly disappear. Don't be too quick to assume that everything is perfect just because it appears to be. Realize that it's okay to take risks and try something new.
And if there's lessons to be learned
I'd rather get my jamming words in first, so
I'll tell you something that I've found
That the world's a better place
When it's upside down, boy
I will always speak my mind and stand up for what I believe in. My experiences have taught me that sometimes the most innovative ideas require flipping things on their head and doing something unexpected.
And if there's lessons to be learned
I'd rather get my jamming words in first, though
When you're playing with desire
Don't come running to my place
When it burns like fire, boy
If you try to use my desires against me, I will call you out on it right away. I won't hesitate to show you the door if you hurt me.
Ooh, and I oh I ooh
Doo la da da da, la da da da da, la da da da ooh
This line doesn't serve a specific meaning and is likely used as a part of the song's chorus. It repeats a catchy tune and reinforces the message that the singer is not somebody who can be easily put in a box or labeled.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GABRIELLA CILMI, NICK COLER, MIRANDA COOPER, BRIAN HIGGINS, TIMOTHY LARCOMBE, TIM POWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stejaurni4169
Ooh, watching me...
Hanging by a string this time
Don't, easily...
The climax of the perfect lie
Ooh, watching me...
Hanging by a string this time
Don't, easily...
Smile worth a hundred lies
If there's lessons to be learned
I'd rather get my jamming words in first, so
Tell you something that I've found
That the world's a better place
When it's upside down, boy
If there's lessons to be learned,
I'd rather get my jamming words in first, so
When you're playing with desire
Don't come running to my place when it burns like fire, boy
Sweet about me
Nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Nothing sweet about me, yeah
Blue, blue, blue
Waves, they crash
As time goes by
So hard to catch
Too, too smooth
Ain't all that
Why don't you ride
On my side
Of the tracks
If there's lessons to be learned
I'd rather get my jamming words in first, so
Tell you something that I've found
That the world's a better place
When it's upside down, boy
If there's lessons to be learned
I'd rather get my jamming words in first, so
When you're playing with desire
Don't come running to my place when it burns like fire, boy.
Sweet about me
Nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Nothing sweet about me, yeah
Sweet about me
Nothing sweet about me, yeah
@livs4721
Love songs like this where you forget they exist but finding them again is just the best
@samsong24
Totally agree!
@Kirtabus
L04 she stinks like Cole slaw
@THECOMICFANalpin
Exactly. 😂👍🏻😄
@duck7146
L04 I agree
@lilycollins8934
I know and the gorrilaz childhood memories
@beeman2075
Anyone else rediscovered this song after not hearing it for about 8-10 years and now can't stop listening to it on repeat?
@letz_getschwifty9785
just now lol
@owenlewis8006
Yes…I loved it when it was current too. What a voice!
@Zaverda
https://youtu.be/8DX398Wj6XA