Communards Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Contempt in your eyes
As I turn to kiss his lips
Broken I lie
All my feelings denied
Blood on your fist
Can you tell me why?
You in your false securities
Tear up my life

Condemning me
Name me an illness
Call me a sin
Never feel guilty
Never give in
Tell me why?
You and me together

Fighting for our love
Can you tell me why?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jimmy Somerville/Bronski Beat/Communards's song "Why?" touch upon the societal rejection of the LGBTQ+ community, the struggle for acceptance and a plea for understanding. The lines "Contempt in your eyes, As I turn to kiss his lips, Broken I lie, All my feelings denied" convey the pain of forbidden love and the societal pressure to conform to heteronormative expectations. The blood on the fist further emphasizes the violence and emotional trauma that the LGBTQ+ community has faced historically.

The lyrics of the song highlight the desperation and the plea for acceptance when it says "You and me together, Fighting for our love, Can you tell me why?" It is a call to question the societal norms and challenge their beliefs of what is regarded as acceptable. By asking "Tell me why?" the song questions the unacceptability of their love and reasons why it is deemed sinful.

Line by Line Meaning

Contempt in your eyes
Your disdainful gaze is fully evident

As I turn to kiss his lips
I am showing affection for someone you disapprove of

Broken I lie
I feel shattered and defeated

All my feelings denied
You refuse to acknowledge how I truly feel

Blood on your fist
You have resorted to violence against me

Can you tell me why?
I am searching for an explanation for your actions

You in your false securities
Your sense of confidence is based on falsehoods

Tear up my life
You are destroying my existence

Condemning me
You are harshly judging and criticizing me

Name me an illness
You are labeling me as sick or abnormal

Call me a sin
You view my actions or identity as immoral

Never feel guilty
You refuse to take responsibility for the harm you have caused

Never give in
You are unwilling to compromise or show any concessions

Tell me why?
I am pleading with you to provide an explanation or reason for your behaviour

You and me together
We are united in our relationship

Fighting for our love
We are struggling to maintain our romantic connection

Can you tell me why?
I am still seeking answers and understanding

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES SOMERVILLE, LAWRENCE COLE, STEVE BRONSKI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@tarzantits

5y↑98

I see everyone has thanked Jimmy for being the great artist he is and how they all love him, but few have thanked you Ivan Ivanovs for putting this mix together. So thank you Ivan for the time you took to put this line up together for us to get our full fill of Jimmy and his awesome voice.

@kingkonut

4y↑3

thank you Ivan <3

@depotrr9314

@kingkonut 2

@ingenerchik

Иван Иваныч иваноф прошёл свой путь и был здороф, хоть регулярно принимал на грудь.

@ryanswenson

3y↑2

Amen! Thank you beautiful brother. I’m 51... yet feeling and dancing as when 15...when his music “invaded” this small town boy in Utah (...a true revelation of beauty and passion and soulful harmony...)

@ronsinemilia7094

06u u95pmf
N

1 More Replies...

@jaimelobos3894

36w↑1

La mejor época de mi adolescencia y juventud ❤🇨🇱

@carlosoliveira4341

3y↑4

Esta musica desperta sentimentos lindos e a sua letra apesar deste tempo todo continua actual que bom voltar a ouvi-la faz rejuvenescer aquilo que fomos e o tempo nos fez sentir que estamos vivos

@indirawijesinghe3947

4y↑25

That voice is mesmerizing in every song.. thanks for putting this mix together. One of a kind. Jimmy if you ever read these comments know that you are loved and always will be. I grew up with your voice back in our boombox in Sri Lanka when my uncle got me a cassette way back from him living in London. Now I live in Adelaide Australia and still your music is blaring in my backyard.Your voice had travelled the distance. So much respect & so much love for you ❤🙏

@christbdx

Same. Even in France many guys from the 80’s still remember you as an iconic singer and dancer !

@sophieprodhomme713

@christbdx je confirme !

@carolinetilbury8787

3y↑18

This brings back memories of when I was an appodium dancer, dancing to this and Jimmy. Those were the days we had proper music, life was so much better, people were so much happier and helped each other more.
Thanks Jimmy for the music, your input into the industry you certainly changed the way music industry worked. God bless you peace to all 🤗🌞🙏

@laure5333

2y↑1

On your 50s, now...?!?

@carterregan8202

2y↑1

Your so right, these were great days in a great time. Wish I could go back in time and live this music decade again

@montserratmartinez552

3y↑7

Fantástico álbum.

@JoseAntonio-tn1ul

4y↑11

Por si alguien aún se pregunta qué es lo que hizo a la década de los 80, del siglo pasado, pasar a la historia como única e irrepetible en lo musical. Invito a los más jóvenes a descubrirla y amarla.

@RabiousCrow

La música era buenísima. Por eso se vendían equipazos de alta fidelidad que hoy día no se ven en ninguna tienda. Ahora solo preocupa la resolución de imagen. No hay musica que tire a buscar donde escucharla

@RaciePSB

6y↑73

Met him once in a bar in soho.. found myself ranting about what a huge fan I am and then wishing I'd been a bit cooler. He seemed such a sweet, kind of shy guy. Totally adorable and incredibly blessed with that voice. He's changed the lives of many through his work. Love the boy.

@drazilify

yeeeessss UK

@Valentina-so1oc

5y↑2

I'm going to come to London for the first time and I hope to meet him too 🌈

@gerharddiedericks2120

5y↑5

a Bit before my time - accept for a few familiar songs; only discovered these weeks ago - very impressive. This oke's falsetto is off the charts - a really talented vocalist.

@Thi3rry

when did you meet him ? recently ?

@colori66

3y↑2

I met him in Paris at the bar La Luna during the 80's, i even dance with him. He was alone, it was like a dream to me <3

1 More Replies...

@antonietapires2934

2y↑1

...A musicalidade de Jimmy S. transmite positividade... vida... é fantástico... porque paralelamente transmite tristeza nos sons bemóis; pontuais!... O falsete dele é genuíno...Não tenho palavras para descrever a "curte" de música que me transmite!...Sensacional !!!....

@duncanthomas3921

4y↑14

One of the greatest artists ever and never got the respect he deserved .
Brilliant singer , dancer , and a true true great artist love his music 🎶🎶🎶🎶❤️🎶🎶🎶🎶

@lorenaherrera9568

37w

Que recuerdos escuchando a Jimmy 🥰genial 👏👏👏

@cortomaltese1921

36w

Ochentero, mi alma discotequera no para de bailar y emocionarse con los recuerdos y la música del gran Sommerville

@travelfrance3902

3y↑2

such great music...amazing voice... we need more like this

@MrEightiesvintage

Very talentuous i approuve your point of view

@krzysztofnowak7264

6y↑2

Kawał dobrej muzyki !

@jhonnyrodriguez922

6y↑3

La conexión con los 80s 90s, se hace posible con esta maravillosa música!
Buen repertorio!

@Elenita967

3y↑4

¡Me encanta! 🥰🇪🇸🇪🇸

@ramonlincoln4394

5y↑5

Top ! Adoro.

@jackalexandroff4550

3y↑3

In 2005 i was 15 and Jimmy was also there for me. Beautiful songs with a vital message

@irismonnier2023

In 2005 I was 14 years and I like music again and again.

@ernestolazarte3408

21w

Solo aquellos que vivimos en la romántica, epica y heroica epoca de los 80', sabemos "Cuanto vale este toque de memoria en modo música" .
Gracias, gracias y gracias.

@rubenpacheco5221

24w

Estoy acá escuchando este temazo antes que el mundo se autodestruirá.fue un placer estar en este planeta.😂😂😂

@dyuhas2907

45w

Бесподобная подборка! Очень хороший репертуар!

@goldensilver2914

2y↑1

Indimenticabile, ricordo che Small town boy fu per settimane primo posto hit parade. Classe, stile, voce magnetica. Oggi ho fatto i miei esercizi ascoltando questi capolavori.

@robertalonso440

2y↑1

AMAZING!!!! Great memories forever!!!

@Aga-qi3ru

Fajna muza ,slucham juz od 30 lat - jestescie nieugieci , i bardzo tworczy , pozdrawiam JIMMIEGO sommervile, i jego najblizzszych kolegow, i super, ze sie nie nie dajecie zbyc. Kocham wasza muze!

@manusi1

6y↑9

Cerrar los ojos, escuchar y ya estoy en la mejor época de mi vida

@marcelavaldes2051

Manuel, soy Marcela de Chile. Para mí definitivamente tb fue la mejor época de mi vida.

@paymonbidari278

5y↑5

Great music in so many ways!

@carterregan8202

2y↑1

This is fantastic, great music from the best music decade ever

@johnbrown504

3y↑52

His music helped me in so many ways as a young gay teenager back in the 80’s. He gave me hope that things would get better, that I wasn’t alone. And most importantly that I and other LGBT people matter and deserve love and happiness like our straight brothers and sisters. Love you Jimmy.

@martynguest2892

3y↑4

I have my own beliefs, but i don't care whether you are straight or gay. I loved the catchy songs he created, and that is what sticks with me, growing up in the eighties.

@sharonflanagan1555

3y↑1

Me too xxxxxxx

@colori66

3y↑1

You're soooooo right John ;-)

@anthonydavid5121

3y↑2

The 80s. I was in my 20s in NYC and scared to death. AIDS was literally everywhere and was such a huge huge part of my life back then and on into the 1990s in SF. I was surrounded by illness and death as most of us were back then. Only friends and music like this gave me respite.

@marie-christopheleboucher7200

Oui mais personne ne se mettait dans des ghettos

@raffaojeda

4y↑1

Good band, good singer good songs!

@marinaquiroga4748

Bella y poderosa Voz !!! Sigo admirándote desde la 1a. vez que te escuché en los '80. Ahora cumplí 67, tengo media docena de nietos, sin embargo cuando te escucho, vuelvo al encantamiento de mi época de novia. Gracias Gracias GRACIAS

@isabelleschimberle9417

44w

Que de souvenirs d'enfance et d'adolescence 🎉🎉

@angelessanchez9047

4y↑13

Aquí estoy en España, son las seis de la madrugada ,me desperté a las tres y no podía dormir y estoy escuchando a jimmy , tan feliz , recordando viejos tiempos

@alexmay2782

Igual!! A las 7am. Jajajaja

@johnshaw5322

Jimmy for me was the best performer live, I never appreciated anything that wasn't straight but listening to that voice I felt like his life had a purposeful meaning. Thanks for the memories of partying in the 80s.

@rustkarol4801

5y↑4

Fantastic!!! I Love it .

@michelemichele6387

Jamming to EPIC sounds. Thank you!👍🤠

@ucjabrosz1066

4y↑1

Piękne tylko słuchać jestem zauroczona po tylu larach. Dziękuję.

@valerierouviller1660

3y↑1

Voix intemporelle magique ❤❤❤❤

@Aussie00

Thanks for sharing this with us, am loving it through headphones in Australia 🎵🎶💜

@danypv5467

2y↑4

Bien que j'ai 12 ans de plus, j'ai malgré tout grandi avec ta musique, clubs discothèques,, mes années folles, ta voix m'envoutante, tes musiques m'ont fait vibrer sur les pistes. Même à l'heure actuelle.....Je précise, je ne sais pas l'anglais, quel dommage pour moi! Mais je suis FAN à 100%. Continue à nous enchantés, ta voix nous prend dans les trippes. Admiration!💥ta voix est une 💣🌺🌷🎼

@Icewind1973

3y↑2

Grande!!! quanti ricordi , non si può più tornare indietro, ma questa musica mi fa rivivere tanti momenti indimenticabili e tanti amici che non ci sono più...

@marialeonorcaldas321

Não sei falar direito o Inglês, poristo vou dizer em português mesmo. Tenho 69 anos e até hoje revivo os lindos momentos da minha vida, ouvindo estas músicas 🎶 maravilhosas deste tempo. Era muito bom e revigorante os bailes desta época. Saudades muitas saudades destes tempos majestosos de alegria e boa música 🎶. Obrigada Jimmy

@solmorales4243

3y↑2

Extraordinario.... Bellos momentos de mi life. Hermosa voz inolvidable....

@debmoore4682

2y↑1

The best alto voice I have ever heard

@jasonmymail

6y↑9

Everytime I think I've had enough... Jimmy says to me Never say Goodbye, and I turn around... I realise I'm a fool. Jimmy, thank you for the music, but more than that, thank you for the profound truth within those words.

@annikadson

5y↑3

Super duper incredible music I almost cry with joy and guess what energy these songs give you. You wish back to the 80's and I as a 20 year old with the body and energy you had. Jimmy is today's god to me today.

@maryseguel1771

6y↑3

Buenos temas como no recordar

@marie-francerobert5979

5y↑8

Super, de quoi donner la pêche pour toute la journée ! Un magnifique chanteur, la classe !

@christinegeffroy8599

Idem

@ISA-ki1cz

Salut

@sophieprodhomme713

Salut

@sandroconcessodasilva8512

3y↑5

Fantastic voice, unic

@RetroGaming2.0

I've loved your style of music since I was younger and still today it always makes me trip in just one word THANK YOU and +1 Subscriber and blue thumb up well deserved again THANK YOU and I put a piece of the best of my time 👌 😉👍🕹

@andybevan4833

Your absolutely awesome Jimmy your music brought our new years eve party in thank you as a musician myself on guitar and keyboards your songs are so awesome your one hell of a legend from all of us in Wales happy new year Godbless amen x

@melntribe4403

6y↑17

Amazing people, lyrics and times... wish I was back then!!!!

@ttbko

5y↑1

Hell No! This is amazing and brings back lovely memories but the last thing in the world i want is to go back then....

@olivierbussolino8195

Very best !!!! Je kiff.... au top !

@ugorerosso1187

5y↑7

Grandissimo Album

@Oleg66able

3y↑4

Как же трудно было найти этот хит....

@colinmcaleavy5784

Superb brings great memories from the 80's.

@antonietapires2934

...Maravilhosa!!!!....Grande ritmo...................

@gabrieleconradt1516

6y↑26

Klasse Album!!Was für eine Stimme!!

@darkbennz5262

Heute, wie auch damals, als ich noch (Kind war) bin zwar nicht Gay aber die Musik macht immer noch Gänsehaut

@keithcacahuete8066

4y↑17

Back in the 80s I was in a bar in Kings Cross, London, when who walks in but Jimmy Somerville, just chatted to people, had a drink, he even asked my for the time, no airs and graces just a normal, everyday bloke. Superb singer, icon, innovator and a really nice guy.

@LutzSchafer

Wow, lucky you. Yeah the 80's a totally different time than now....

@sophieprodhomme713

3y↑1

Thank You so much ! Some songs I haven't listened to for years ! Que de souvenirs !

@shannonxpennywise

6y↑20

Great singer. 😊

@willielawson7971

3y↑2

What a voice wee Jimmy has

@nelsonnunez3383

6y↑2

Lo mejor de los 80 super

@tonypuccio154

5y↑2

There no more can say but nothing one Fantastic artist what a voice no matter what anybody can say about him 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

@elisacubillosvaldivia7756

Me encanta no pasa de moda Viva Chile

@phoenixrising8383

3y↑19

Brilliant this you've made an old man very happy today listening to this ..dancing 👍

@charlotteetienne1371

3y↑1

Hello! Same for me but I’m an « old » woman 😁 have a nice day!

@charlotteetienne1371

3y↑1

Hello from France of course 😜

@phoenixrising8383

@Charlotte Étienne hello Charlotte I hope you are ok 👌

@phoenixrising8383

@Charlotte Étienne hopefully the sun is shining in France 🇫🇷

@cecileclouzy7221

3y↑1

@Charlotte Étienne ¹màmm11a

@dorisgressel9599

4y↑4

trop trop bien super me rappelle ma jeunesse

@noiman512

6y↑7

love from the first sight (hear)! amazing album

@drivinglessondublin

5y↑3

Reminds me of 2005 driving from Cherbourg to the Amalfi coast in my convertible bmw.Blasting out this album as we went..oh such memories..😎

@RE-ct3ht

3y↑1

Yo recuerdo el año 2069 viajando de la casa de tu hermana en mi convertible Rolls-Royce

@steliosgourdoubas4189

So good!

@liezelschefferlie3315

RIP Steve Bronski ⭐️ You will live Forever ♥️ THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR FUCKING AMAZING TALENTS ❤️🧜‍♂️🧚🏿‍♂️🕴🏻🕴🏻👯‍♀️💃🕺♥️

@navidizadgoshasb1308

4y↑3

the best collection of jimmy

@francklucas2924

6y↑7

j'adore ce CD, toute ma jeunesse

@sophieprodhomme713

Mine too

@franciscorodriguez7321

5y↑4

BACK IN THE 80S I SAW BRONSKY BEAT WALKING IN THE TRAIN STATION IN COLUMBUS CIRCLE IN NEW YORK. NORMAL REGULAR GUYS I DIDNT BOTHER THEM. LOVE THEIR MUSIC

@philokdodgon694

What a fantastic voice Jimmy Somerville has , ,
Tried to find Gimme Gimme , without success, if you have it , PLEASE POST . 😎🎸😎

@kleinsmart4295

Excellent, thanks, merci beaucoup.

@kathrinkrautz3250

Man ist sofort wieder Jung und denkt an seine Disco Zeit.Tolles Album❤❤❤❤❤❤

@olegderim

6y↑1

Чудова збірка!

@frankschicketanz1784

6y↑1

druschba ,tawarisch

@cath_lall

5y↑1

Trop bien !

@IvanIvanovsSM

I love Alna Rin

@jorgeatilano9760

5y↑5

SUPER!!!

@ingenerchik

25w

Jimmy, you were the integral part of my youth I. The late 80s. RIP, old comrade.you ve suffered enough.

@venom2011100

Magnifique

@tippysdaddy7468

5y↑19

Brilliant! A hero for those who are gay, growing up in the 80s. Love and admire him so much. The last track about AIDS, sadly we lost many loved ones then. May they RIP

@Niklas_robobo

21w

Bronski Beat meine Jugend nie vergessen 🥰🥰🥰🥰

@CT-xz3pu

i can listen to this songs forever 2022

@MORPHEUS-bd2un

2y↑1

Mes meilleurs souvenirs

@hangover1609

3y↑3

Auch heute immer noch total super wie vor fast 40 Jahren.

@utehumpert8481

5y↑4

Wow. eine unbeschreiblich- und unvergleichbare Stimme.Großartig, habe ich schon vor ´zig Jahren gehört und höre ihn heute noch und tanze durch die Bude, weil die Mukke mich einfach dazu bringt.....Toll, jedes Stück ein Hammer <3

@antonietapires2934

2y↑1

....Adoro!....................

@filibertomattina5154

5y↑11

He Is a icon

@erminameedovic2868

Just perfect

@pelewissler8503

I feel like 17 !! Good feeling !!!

@totisantiago1

3y↑10

falsetto voice never ends -

@TheNzfroggy

3y↑2

Listening to this on a Monday morning at work. And I shall be again too.

@christianedebaets4232

5y↑6

J'adore

@philippevitaloni55

3y↑1

idem

@marieannwalsh662

Thank you for a superb collection. Maith leath!

@michaeldeyes6457

That sun go down watching the world fade away wan is good

@lgallo809

Quanti ricordi da bambino sul camion con papà. Grazie

@katarzynaflorczyk8773

6y↑8

great memories....

@terenceskill9526

Still so crisp...!

@user-vo4jx8ly5s

3y↑7

Thank jimmy, for the song

@pkn45q

5y↑4

En las fiestas de los 80 la idea era bailar, solo eso. Y con eso éramos muy, pero muy felices. ... Díganme que no !!!

@rojo_q

@alexmay2782

3y↑1

En los clubs de Londres sin smartphone, ni Instagram ni mierdas. Que recuerdos.

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Why?
Jimmy Somerville/Bronski Beat/Communards Lyrics