Put Me In Jail
Joe Lyrics
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He was just too wild, she was just too young
Too much to handle he was always asking why
She didn't know the answers, she'd just hang her head and cry
He said, "Mama I'm afraid that no one will calm me down
And I'm just scared that no one will know how
To put me in my place
Put me in my place
To put me in my place
Where do I belong?"
Father never forgave him, for making mother leave
"You could up and die, boy, it wouldn't bother me"
Sent him off to school, somewhere up north
Way too many rules to follow, didn't have a choice
He said, "I'm afraid that no one can calm me down
And I'm just scared that no one will know how
To put me in my place
Oh to put me in my place
To put me in my place
To put me in my place
Where do I belong?"
He's all grown up, got a wife of his own
But he started a family now he's never home
She says, "How am I suppose to love, you're always out on the town
How's your daughter gonna know you if you won't come around?"
Goes to tuck her in, he can never see
And she turns to him, but it was only me
She says, "I'm afraid that no one can calm me down"
He said, "Baby I can't believe this, I think we finally found out how
To put me in my place
Oh to put me in my place
Oh won't you just put me in my place
Come on and put me in my place
Where we belong"
The song "Put Me In Jail" by Joe is a deeply emotional and reflective piece that explores the themes of abandonment, neglect, and the search for a sense of belonging. The lyrics begin with a reference to a difficult childhood faced by the singer, who was left alone by his mother at a young age. He struggled with inadequacy and rebelliousness, but his mother was unable to provide him with the guidance and support he needed. The lyrics capture his desperation and fear of never being able to find someone who can "calm him down" and put him in his rightful place.
The chorus of the song repeats the plea for someone to put him in his place, to help him find a sense of belonging in the world. This is followed by a verse that speaks about the singer's strained relationship with his father, who never forgave him for his mother leaving. He was sent off to school and had to follow too many rules without having a say in the matter.
As the song progresses, we see the singer grow up and start a family of his own, but his neglectful behavior towards them is reminiscent of his father's behavior towards him. His wife complains about his absenteeism and his daughter yearns for his love and attention. It is only when he realizes the gravity of the situation that he steps up to the responsibility of being a better father and partner.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the struggles faced by individuals when they do not have someone to guide them and put them in their place. It is a call to all of us to be more compassionate, understanding, and supportive of those who are lost and searching for their sense of belonging in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
He was just a child, when she left him there alone
His mother abandoned him at a young age.
He was just too wild, she was just too young
He was too difficult for his young mother to handle.
Too much to handle he was always asking why
He was always asking questions and was difficult to deal with.
She didn't know the answers, she'd just hang her head and cry
His mother didn't know how to deal with him and would often cry when he acted out.
He said, "Mama I'm afraid that no one will calm me down
He was afraid that no one would be able to calm him down.
And I'm just scared that no one will know how
He was scared that no one would know how to help him.
To put me in my place
To help him find his place in the world.
To put me in my place
To help him find his place in the world.
Put me in my place
To help him find his place in the world.
To put me in my place
To help him find his place in the world.
Where do I belong?"
He was searching for his place in the world.
Father never forgave him, for making mother leave
His father blamed him for his mother leaving.
"You could up and die, boy, it wouldn't bother me"
His father showed no love for him and didn't care if he died.
Sent him off to school, somewhere up north
His father sent him away to school.
Way too many rules to follow, didn't have a choice
He didn't have any say in the matter and had to follow the school's rules.
He said, "I'm afraid that no one can calm me down
He was still struggling to find someone who could help him.
And I'm just scared that no one will know how
He was still scared that no one would know how to help him.
To put me in my place
To help him find his place in the world.
Oh to put me in my place
To help him find his place in the world.
To put me in my place
To help him find his place in the world.
To put me in my place
To help him find his place in the world.
Where do I belong?"
He was still searching for his place in the world.
He's all grown up, got a wife of his own
He's grown up and started a family.
But he started a family now he's never home
He was neglecting his family and wasn't spending enough time with them.
She says, "How am I suppose to love, you're always out on the town
His wife was struggling to love him because he was always out and never home.
How's your daughter gonna know you if you won't come around?"
His daughter wouldn't know him if he didn't spend more time with her.
Goes to tuck her in, he can never see
He wasn't making the effort to be there for his daughter.
And she turns to him, but it was only me
His daughter was looking for him, but he wasn't there.
She says, "I'm afraid that no one can calm me down"
His daughter needed someone to calm her down.
He said, "Baby I can't believe this, I think we finally found out how
He realized that he needed to be there for his family and help them find their place in the world.
To put me in my place
To help him find his place in his family and the world.
Oh to put me in my place
To help him find his place in his family and the world.
Oh won't you just put me in my place
He was asking for someone to help guide him onto the right path.
Come on and put me in my place
He was asking for someone to help guide him onto the right path.
Where we belong"
He realized that his family was where he belonged.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOE PURDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind