You Don't Know My Mind
Hugh Laurie and the Copper Bottom Band Lyrics
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Looking for my mama but she ain't here no more
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep from crying
She won't cook my dinner, won't wash my clothes
Won't do nothing but walk the road
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep from crying
My breakfast on the table and my coffee's getting cold
And mama's in the kitchen getting a sweet papa talk
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep from crying
Sometimes I think my baby's too good to die
Sometimes I think she should be buried alive
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep from crying
I wish I had a nickel, I wish I had a dime
I wish I hadn't give myself a fabulous time
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep from crying
Look at you mama, see what you got it done
You got my money now you broke and run
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep from crying
You made me get mad and you made me get sad
The going gets tougher than you aint never had
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep from crying.
Hugh Laurie’s song “You Don’t Know My Mind” is a bluesy tune about heartbreak and betrayal. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who has been abandoned and left to fend for himself. He walks down the levee with his head hanging low, searching for his mama who is no longer there. The first verse shows a man who is lost and alone, searching for someone who he knows won’t be found. The idea of being alone is repeated in the second verse when he says she won’t cook his dinner, wash his clothes, or even stay with him. She only walks the road.
The chorus, “you don’t know my mind, when you see me laughing, I’m laughing just to keep from crying,” captures the heart of the song. The man is trying to keep up a brave face, to keep moving forward even though he’s hurting. The middle verses show how he is struggling to hang on. He is sitting with his breakfast and coffee, cold and alone, and his mama is nowhere to be found, just talking to some other man.
The last two verses are bitter and angry. The man wishes he had a nickel or a dime, wishes he hadn’t given himself such a good time. He blames his mama for leaving him, for taking his money and running. He says that she made him mad and sad, and that he’s tougher than she’ll ever be. The song ends with the same chorus, emphasizing the idea that the man is alone, hurt, and trying to keep a brave face.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking down the levee with my head hangin' low
I'm feeling down and lost, not knowing where to go.
Looking for my mama but she ain't here no more
I'm searching for comfort, but I can't find it anymore.
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
You don't understand what I'm going through, my thoughts are hard to find.
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep from crying
I'm trying to hide my pain, pretending to be fine and smiling.
She won't cook my dinner, won't wash my clothes
My loved one left without a warning or a goodbye, now I'm alone with my woes.
Won't do nothing but walk the road
She went away and doesn't seem to care about my heavy load.
My breakfast on the table and my coffee's getting cold
I miss the old days when I was loved and not alone in the cold.
And mama's in the kitchen getting a sweet papa talk
I wish my mother was here to comfort me and take me for a long walk.
Sometimes I think my baby's too good to die
Despite my heartbreak, I still love her and want her by my side.
Sometimes I think she should be buried alive
But at times I get so angry, I feel like she deserves to suffer and strive.
I wish I had a nickel, I wish I had a dime
I'm broke and struggling to make ends meet, wishing for a better time.
I wish I hadn't give myself a fabulous time
I regret spending my money on fun when now I can barely make a dime.
Look at you mama, see what you got it done
I blame her for leaving me when she knew she was the only one.
You got my money now you broke and run
She took everything I had and left me with nothing, she had all the fun.
You made me get mad and you made me get sad
I feel a range of emotions because of her, it's been really bad.
The going gets tougher than you aint never had
But I'm still standing strong, through the good and the bad.
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
You don't understand what I'm going through, my thoughts are hard to find.
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep from crying
I'm trying to hide my pain, pretending to be fine and smiling.
Lyrics © RECORDS ON THE WALL, INC
Written by: CLARENCE WILLIAMS, SAM GRAY, VIRGINIA LISTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind