Lesson in Leavin'
Jo Dee Messina Lyrics


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Somebody's gonna give you
A lesson in leavin'
Somebody's gonna give you back
What you've been givin'
And I hope that I'm around
To watch 'em knock you down
It's like you to love 'em and leave 'em
Just like you loved me and left me
It's like you to do that sort of thing
Over and over again
You're a fool hearted man

I hear you've been askin' about me
From some of my friends
Well, you'd better believe
I'm not goin' through that again
You're the kind of man
A woman thinks she can change
Oh, but the only thing changin'
Is my way of thinkin'
And I'm thinkin' that maybe someday

Somebody's gonna give you
A lesson in losin'
Somebody's gonna do to you
What you've been doin'
And I hope that I'm around
To watch 'em knock you down
Somebody's gonna give you
A lesson in hurtin'
Somebody's gonna leave you
With your fire burnin'
And no way to put it out
Baby, there ain't no doubt
You're a fool hearted man

Yeah, you're the kind of man
A woman thinks she can change
But the only thing changin'
Is my way of thinkin'
And I'm thinkin' that maybe someday

Somebody's gonna give you
A lesson in leavin'
Somebody's gonna give you back
What you've been givin'
And I hope that I'm around, ha
To watch 'em knock you down
Oh, it's like you to love 'em and leave 'em
Just like you loved me and left me
It's like you to do that sort of thing
Over and over again
You're a fool hearted man

Somebody's gonna give you
A lesson in leavin'
Somebody's gonna give you back
What you've been givin'
And I hope that I'm around
To watch 'em knock you down
Oh, it's like you to love 'em and leave 'em
Just like you loved me and left me
It's like you to do that sort of thing
Over and over again
You're a fool hearted man

Oh, a fool hearted man
Oh, whoa




Oh, a fool hearted man, ooh
Oh, a fool hearted man

Overall Meaning

The song "Lesson in Leavin'" by Jo Dee Messina is an empowering breakup song about a woman who has finally had enough of her on-and-off again lover's reckless ways. She warns her ex that someday, someone will treat him the same way he's been treating her, and that she'll be there to watch him fall. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and disappointment, but also a newfound confidence and strength on the part of the singer.


Throughout the song, the singer repeats the phrase "Somebody's gonna give you a lesson in leavin'" as a warning to her ex that his behavior will eventually catch up with him. She also alludes to the fact that he has a pattern of repeating his mistakes, and that he is unlikely to change his ways. The singer's resolve to move on and find someone who will treat her better is also evident in the lyrics, as she states that she's not interested in going through the same pain again.


Overall, "Lesson in Leavin'" is a powerful anthem for anyone who has ever been mistreated in a relationship. The lyrics encourage listeners to stand up for themselves and not put up with bad behavior from their partners.


Line by Line Meaning

Somebody's gonna give you
You will be faced with


A lesson in leavin'
Consequences of leaving or abandonment


Somebody's gonna give you back
You will receive


What you've been givin'
The same actions you have done to others


And I hope that I'm around
I want to witness


To watch 'em knock you down
To see you suffer the consequences


It's like you to love 'em and leave 'em
Your habit of loving and leaving


Just like you loved me and left me
Same thing you did to me


It's like you to do that sort of thing
Your common behavior


Over and over again
Repeatedly


You're a fool hearted man
You are reckless and impulsive in love


I hear you've been askin' about me
You have been inquiring about me


From some of my friends
Through some of my acquaintances


Well, you'd better believe
You should trust in


I'm not goin' through that again
I am not going to experience that again


You're the kind of man
You are a person who


A woman thinks she can change
A woman believes she can change you


Oh, but the only thing changin'
However, the only thing changing


Is my way of thinkin'
Is how I think of you


And I'm thinkin' that maybe someday
I am hoping that someday


Somebody's gonna give you
You will have to face


A lesson in losin'
The consequence of losing


Somebody's gonna do to you
You will receive


What you've been doin'
The same treatment you have given


Somebody's gonna give you
You will face


A lesson in hurtin'
The consequence of being hurt


Somebody's gonna leave you
Someone will abandon you


With your fire burnin'
With your feelings intense


And no way to put it out
And no way to calm yourself down


Baby, there ain't no doubt
Certainly,


You're a fool hearted man
You act recklessly and impulsively in love


Yeah, you're the kind of man
You are a person who


A woman thinks she can change
A woman believes she can change you


But the only thing changin'
However, the only thing changing


Is my way of thinkin'
Is how I think of you


And I'm thinkin' that maybe someday
I am hoping that someday


Somebody's gonna give you
You will be faced with


A lesson in leavin'
Consequences of leaving or abandonment


Somebody's gonna give you back
You will receive


What you've been givin'
The same actions you have done to others


And I hope that I'm around, ha
I want to witness


To watch 'em knock you down
To see you suffer the consequences


Oh, it's like you to love 'em and leave 'em
Your habit of loving and leaving


Just like you loved me and left me
Same thing you did to me


It's like you to do that sort of thing
Your common behavior


Over and over again
Repeatedly


You're a fool hearted man
You are reckless and impulsive in love


Somebody's gonna give you
You will face


A lesson in leavin'
Consequences of leaving or abandonment


Somebody's gonna give you back
You will receive


What you've been givin'
The same actions you have done to others


And I hope that I'm around
I want to witness


To watch 'em knock you down
To see you suffer the consequences


Oh, it's like you to love 'em and leave 'em
Your habit of loving and leaving


Just like you loved me and left me
Same thing you did to me


It's like you to do that sort of thing
Your common behavior


Over and over again
Repeatedly


You're a fool hearted man
You are reckless and impulsive in love


Oh, a fool hearted man
You are a foolish person in love


Oh, whoa
Expressing emphasis or surprise


Oh, a fool hearted man, ooh
You are a foolish person in love


Oh, a fool hearted man
You are a foolish person in love




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brent Maher, Randy Goodrum

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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