Too Bad On Your Birthday
Joan Jett Lyrics
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I heard your best friend say
You shouldn't have treated her that way
You could've been a little bit kinder
He didn't send you no note
Didn't give you no gift
He didn't even try to find ya
Well, that's too bad, too bad
Too bad on your birthday
I said it's too bad, too bad
Too bad on your birthday
You were my love once
It lasted several months
And I was in love even blinder
When you left me I cried
All my tears haven't dried
So I'm leavin' this little reminder
Oh, it's too bad, too bad
Too bad on your birthday
Oh, too bad, too bad
Too bad on your birthday
And now you're the girl
With cake on her face
Yeah, you're the one who's cryin'
Blow out the candles and make a wish
If you need a drink, babe
I'm buyin', yeah
Too bad, too bad
Too bad on your birthday
I said it's too bad, too bad
Too bad on your birthday
Woe, too bad, too bad
Too bad on your birthday
I said that's too bad, that's too bad
Too bad on your birthday
That's too bad
The lyrics in Joan Jett's "Too Bad on Your Birthday" express the feeling of disappointment and revenge after a breakup. The song is a warning to an ex-partner who has mistreated the singer and left her heartbroken. Jett starts by recounting how she heard about the ex's behavior from their mutual friend, who chastises the ex for their coldness. Jett then addresses the ex directly, noting that they didn't make any effort to celebrate her birthday. The chorus repeats the phrase "too bad," signifying the singer's disappointment and lack of sympathy for the ex's situation.
The song then takes a turn as Jett reminds the ex that she was once in love with him, but he left her with tears in her eyes. She sings, "So I'm leavin' this little reminder," which shows her intent to seek revenge. In the final verse, Jett describes the ex's current state, with cake on her face and tears in her eyes. She offers to buy her a drink, but the underlying message is that she's enjoying the ex's pain and humiliation.
Overall, "Too Bad on Your Birthday" is a song about retribution and empowerment after a romantic breakup. The lyrics describe the singer's triumph over an ex who did her wrong and how she's able to revel in his disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard your best friend say
I overheard your best friend talking and they mentioned that you treated someone poorly
You shouldn't have treated her that way
Your best friend thinks that you mistreated someone and that you should have treated them better
You could've been a little bit kinder
Your friend thinks that you should have shown more kindness and compassion to the person you mistreated
He didn't send you no note
The person you mistreated did not send you a note or message on your birthday
Didn't give you no gift
The person you mistreated did not give you a gift on your birthday
He didn't even try to find ya
The person you mistreated did not even make an effort to locate you on your birthday
Well, that's too bad, too bad
It's unfortunate and regrettable that the person you mistreated did not acknowledge your birthday
Too bad on your birthday
This is unfortunate for you, especially since it's your birthday
You were my love once
At one point in time, we were in a romantic relationship
It lasted several months
Our romantic relationship lasted for a few months
And I was in love even blinder
I was deeply in love with you, even though it may have clouded my judgment
When you left me I cried
When you ended our relationship, I felt emotional pain and shed tears
All my tears haven't dried
I am still dealing with the aftermath of our breakup and the emotions that come with it
So I'm leavin' this little reminder
I'm taking this opportunity to remind you of the pain you caused me when you left
Oh, it's too bad, too bad
This situation is unfortunate and regrettable
And now you're the girl
You are now the person
With cake on her face
Who has frosting on her face from blowing out birthday candles
Yeah, you're the one who's cryin'
You are the one who is shedding tears
Blow out the candles and make a wish
Take a moment to make a wish as you blow out your birthday candles
If you need a drink, babe
If you would like a beverage, my treat
I'm buyin', yeah
I'll pay for your drink
That's too bad
It's unfortunate
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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