You Don't Own Me
Joan Jett Lyrics


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You don't own me
I'm not just one of your many toys,
You don't own me
Don't say I can't go with other boys

And don't tell me what to do,
And don't tell me what to say,
And please when I go out with you,
Don't put me on display,

You don't own me ,
Don't try to change me in any way,
You don't own me,
Don't tie me down cause I'll never stay,

I don't tell you what to say,
I don't tell you what to do,
So just let me be myself,
That's all I ask of you,

[Repeat: x2]
I'm young and I love to be young,
I'm free and I love to be free,
To live my life the way I want,
To say and do whatever I please.

[Repeat: x2]




No no, you don't own me...you don't own me, you don't own me
We're young and we love to be young, you dont own me

Overall Meaning

In Joan Jett's song "You Don't Own Me," the lyrics tackle the issue of gender roles and expectations in relationships. The singer is speaking out against being treated like a possession by her partner. She asserts that she is not just a toy for him to play with and warns him that she will not be tied down or changed into something that she is not. She wants the freedom to live her life the way she wants, without anyone telling her what to do or how to act.


Additionally, the song can also be seen as a feminist anthem, with Jett's powerful vocals and message calling for women to be treated with respect and equality in all facets of life. The repeated chorus of "you don't own me" is an emphatic statement of independence and self-determination.


Overall, "You Don't Own Me" is a strong reminder that everyone deserves the freedom to be themselves, without being controlled or manipulated by others.


Line by Line Meaning

You don't own me
I am not your property or possession


I'm not just one of your many toys
I am a human being with dignity and worth, not an object


Don't say I can't go with other boys
You don't have the right to control my relationships or actions


And don't tell me what to do
I make my own decisions and choices


And don't tell me what to say
I am entitled to express myself freely and authentically


And please when I go out with you, Don't put me on display
I am not a trophy or accessory to be paraded around


Don't try to change me in any way
I am who I am, and I don't need to conform to your expectations


Don't tie me down cause I'll never stay
I value my independence and will not be confined


I don't tell you what to say
I respect your right to speak your mind


I don't tell you what to do
I respect your autonomy and choices


So just let me be myself, That's all I ask of you
I want to be accepted for who I am, without judgment or pressure


I'm young and I love to be young, I'm free and I love to be free, To live my life the way I want, To say and do whatever I please
I am embracing my youth and freedom, and find joy in living life on my own terms


No no, you don't own me...you don't own me, you don't own me
My independence and autonomy are non-negotiable


We're young and we love to be young, you dont own me
We may be youthful, but we are not subjugated to anyone else's control or authority




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David White, John Madara

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Mister Itchy

I have never heard a bad version of this song and this is no exception. Joan Jett rocks!

Serena Y M

@user-qx7hb9fl2x Klaus Nomi's version is quite good too.

Dianne Carpenter

Thank you, Joan Jett for all your music.
Cool, hot and spot-on rockin’
You rock !!
🎤🎸🎵🥁
Life is better with music.

Carol Jones

Absolutley awesome. I love her voice!!! 💞🌹💞🎶🎶🎶🎶

Roderick Ray Rutledge

Lesie Gore was an angel for women's rights. 🙏♥️. Thank you Joan for doing this song so well.

taija saksa

fan since 1982.. i love joan jetts voice

Tanja

🎸 The best of our generation....Kids today don't~ won't understand 🎸 JOAN JETT IS THE BOSS LADY 🎸

Jordan Fehr

I'm 21 and I thought that that was obvious to anyone

Just Kendry

I'm 15 and I just started to love Joan 🔥

Tami Noll

"Kids today" is such a dated term. "Kids today" are open to so many music genres. I was 15 when I got into her music. That was 2008. I was "Kids today" when I learned to appreciate her and also the runaways.

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