Don't Tell Me
George Barnett Lyrics
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My brow like Lincoln
I'll fight the ocean as I'm sinking
Cause I have to tell lies before I go now
I want to have time before it's over
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
I've seen things
Wings on rings
I'm naive
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
I hear you scheming
I know the feeling
In fact I'll leave it
You've got your reasons
Cause we want to see sky before we go now
We don't want to come quiet before it's over
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
I've seen things
Wings on rings
I'm naive
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Cause I have to tell lies before I go now
I want to have time before it's over
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
I've seen things
Wings on rings
I'm naive
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
I've seen things
Wings on rings
I'm naive
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
The lyrics of George Barnett's song "Don't Tell Me" explore the conflict between the desire for self-preservation and the fear of missing out. The song's protagonist is contemplating his mortality, wanting to experience everything life has to offer before he passes away. He recognizes the importance of time and the need to enjoy life's pleasures before it's too late. The image of Abraham Lincoln's furrowed brow evokes the weight of the world on the singer's shoulders as he struggles to come to terms with the inevitability of his own mortality.
The line "I'll fight the ocean as I'm sinking" is a powerful metaphor that represents the singer's refusal to give up, even when the odds are against him. He acknowledges that he will have to tell lies before he goes, implying that he will make the most of the time he has left, even if it means deceiving others to do so. This recognition is coupled with a sense of naivety, as represented in the line "I'm naive, don't tell me I'm falling in love." It suggests that the singer is still young and inexperienced, struggling to understand what it all means.
One interpretation of the song is that it encourages listeners to seize the day and live life to the fullest, even in the face of the unknown. The singer accepts that he may not have all the answers but is determined to make the most of the time he has left. The lyrics suggest that life is a precious gift that should be cherished and savored, even when things aren't going according to plan.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been thinking
I have been pondering and contemplating.
My brow like Lincoln
My forehead furrowed in thought, like that of the president Lincoln who faced grave challenges.
I'll fight the ocean as I'm sinking
I will never give up, even in difficult circumstances, even as everything else gives way around me.
Cause I have to tell lies before I go now
I need to deceive and mislead others in order to pursue what I believe is important, whether it be out of fear or for self-preservation.
I want to have time before it's over
I desire to maximize the time I have left, even if it means sacrificing a part of myself and deceiving others.
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
I refuse to believe that I am experiencing romantic feelings for someone, despite any indications to the contrary.
I've seen things
I have witnessed experiences that have shaped my worldview.
Wings on rings
Strange and unexpected occurrences that have left me awestruck.
I'm naive
Despite my experiences, in some ways I still possess a childlike innocence and lack of worldly wisdom.
I hear you scheming
I am aware that others are plotting and planning, and that I may become a victim or a pawn in their maneuvers.
I know the feeling
I have a sense of what it is like to be desperate and do whatever it takes to achieve one's goals.
In fact I'll leave it
I choose to distance myself from these schemes and those who perpetuate them.
You've got your reasons
I recognize that others have motivations and justifications for their actions, even if I do not understand them.
Cause we want to see sky before we go now
We desire to experience beauty and wonder in our limited time on earth, even if it means compromising our integrity.
We don't want to come quiet before it's over
We refuse to accept a peaceful, mundane end to our lives; we crave excitement and passion until the very end.
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Even as I experience feelings of affection, I do not want to face the vulnerability and uncertainty that comes with romantic attachment.
Contributed by Kaylee I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mothberries5021
lyrics:
I've been thinking
My brow like Lincoln
I'll fight the ocean
As I'm sinking
Cause I have to tell lies before I go now
I want to have time before it's over
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
I've seen things
Wings on rings
I'm naive
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
I hear you scheming
I know the feeling
In fact I'll leave it
You've got your reasons
Cause we want to see sky before we go now
We don't want to come quiet before it's over
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
I've seen things
Wings on rings
I'm naive
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Cause I have to tell lies before I go now
I want to have time before it's over
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
I've seen things
Wings on rings
I'm naive
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
I've seen things
Wings on rings
I'm naive
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
Don't tell me I'm falling in love
@LASA569
2 years without listening to this!
@Borjazz19
I fucking love this song! And the random beats in the middle of the song! Dope!
@manifestosantoz
the beat goes hard.
@Modone
anyone still coming back to this in 2016?
@SlowNOTSteady
Moku 2017
@Modone
2018!
@LASA569
2019
@VengefulMaG3
2020
@veritasvanburen_
2023!
@ScreamingSnipe9
Shoutout to Bridget who shared this awesome song! :D