Don't Ask Me
Ian Dury Lyrics


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Here I stand
With a doughnut for a brain
On my life, I must see you again
I should think that's made it very plain
Is it his
Is it his or is it ain't?

Don't ask me
To leave it out
Or turn it up
Or pack it in
Don't ask me
Don't ask me
Don't ask

Don't ask me
I'm an ignorant, I'm afraid
On my life, I believe we're tailor made
I should worry if the weather spoils the trade
I'm a crumb
And I'm in your lemonade

Don't ask me
To knock it off
Or cut it short
Or jack it in
Don't ask me
Don't ask me
Don't ask

Let me offer you
My life and all my love
Let me offer you a bargain
What a lovely range
Don't forget the change
Don't ask
Don't ask
Don't ask

Don't ask me to make a sacrifice
On my life, I'm cheap at half the price.
Won't you try a portion or a slice?
Slightly warm
But very, very nice

Don't ask me
To leave it out
Or turn it up
Or pack it in
Don't ask me
Don't ask me
Don't ask





Don't ask...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ian Dury and The Blockheads' song "Don't Ask Me" are somewhat nonsensical in nature but convey a sense of confusion and uncertainty. The singer starts by saying that they feel as though they have a "doughnut for a brain" and yet they must see someone again. Then comes the puzzling question: "Is it his or is it ain't?" This could refer to a romantic partner, but it's ambiguous.


The singer then pleads with the listener not to ask them to do anything specific, whether it's to "leave it out" or "turn it up." They call themselves "ignorant" and claim that they're "afraid." The second verse continues in the same vein, with the singer describing themselves as a "crumb" in someone's "lemonade." They offer their life and love as a "bargain" and mention not forgetting the change.


The final verse seems to suggest a sexual connotation with the singer offering themselves up to someone else, but then they express that they are "cheap at half the price" which could be interpreted as a lack of self-worth. Overall, the lyrics seem to be about feeling confused and uncertain in a relationship and a general lack of self-confidence.


Line by Line Meaning

Here I stand
I am in this present situation


With a doughnut for a brain
My thoughts are mixed up and confusing


On my life, I must see you again
I really want to meet you again in my life


I should think that's made it very plain
That statement should be clear enough for anyone to understand


Is it his
Does he have it


Is it his or is it ain't?
Is it his or not, I am not sure


Don't ask me
I don't know


To leave it out
To remove something from the picture


Or turn it up
To increase the volume or intensity of something


Or pack it in
To give up or quit something


I'm an ignorant, I'm afraid
I do not know much and I am not sure


On my life, I believe we're tailor made
I think we are meant to be together in life


I should worry if the weather spoils the trade
I would be concerned if the weather affects our business trade


I'm a crumb
I am insignificant and small


And I'm in your lemonade
I am a part of your life and your decisions


To knock it off
To stop doing something


Or cut it short
To end something early


Or jack it in
To give up or quit something


Let me offer you
I would like to present you with


My life and all my love
I am willing to give my whole life and love to you


Let me offer you a bargain
I would like to offer you a good deal


What a lovely range
This is a wonderful selection


Don't forget the change
Remember to give me back the remaining money


Don't ask me to make a sacrifice
Don't request me to give up something important to me


On my life, I'm cheap at half the price.
I am easily available and low in cost


Won't you try a portion or a slice?
Would you like to take a small portion to taste


Slightly warm
It is not very hot or cold


But very, very nice
It has a great taste




Lyrics © DELLA BLUE MUSIC LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAS JANKEL, IAN DURY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@dontaskme7004

@@geezerchav Spasticus Autisticus by Ian Dury... Taking ownership of the word removes the power others seek to have when using it, my nigga.

I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I wibble when I piddle
'cause my middle is a riddle
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I dribble when I nibble
And I quibble when I scribble
Hello to you out there in Normal Land
You may not comprehend my tale or understand
As I crawl past your window give me lucky looks
You can be my body but you'll never read my books
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm knobbled on the cobbles
'cause I hobble when I wobble
Swim!
So place your hard-earned peanuts in my tin
And thank the Creator you're not in the state I'm in
So long have I been languished on the shelf
I must give all proceedings to myself
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
I'm spasticus, I'm spasticus
I'm spasticus autisticus
54 appliances in leather and elastic
100 000 thank yous from 27 spastics
Spasticus, spasticus
Spasticus autisticus
Spasticus, spasticus
Spasticus autisticus
Spasticus, spasticus
Spasticus autisticus
Widdling, griddling, skittling, diddling,
fiddling, diddling, widd



All comments from YouTube:

@bubblezovlove7213

Proper genius....
I wish I could have met him...

@VERTEXDSP

punk era un termine riduttivo, grandissimo Ian

@71yid

Here I stand with a donut for a brain!! Sounds like my epitah. Brilliant Dury, sadly missed!!

@davidbrown8763

In fact he was one clever bastard.

@marksmithsmith650

Poetical genius

@standarsh4275

im a crumb...and im in your lemonade

@larryzaff3011

The best simply outstanding

@simondavis8932

The master himself!!!

@punkinthehead65

Best poet of the 20th century dont ask me tho im A nitwit im afraid RIP SIR IAN DURY

@closetpunk1967

Brilliant! Thanks for uploading this ;-)

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