Sticks and Stones
Joe Cocker and Mad Dogs and Englishmen Lyrics

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People talking, trying to break us up
Why don't they let us be
Sticks and stones may break my bones
But talk don't bother me

(No) People talking, trying to break us up
When they know that I love you so
So I don't care what the people might say

I'm never going to let you go

I've been abused (I've been abused)
In my heart (I've been accused)
I've been accused (I've been accused)
I've been rebuked and I've been stomped

(Well) People talking, trying to break us up
They're scandalizing my name
They'll say anything just to make me feel bad
They'll say anything to make me shamed

I've been abused (I've been abused)
In my heart (I've been accused)
I've been accused (I've been accused)
I've been rebuked and I've been stomped

(Well) People talking, trying to break us up
They're scandalizing my name

They'll say anything just to make me feel bad
They'll say anything to make me shamed

Overall Meaning

In the song "Sticks and Stones," Joe Cocker and Mad Dogs and Englishmen address the issue of people talking and trying to break up a couple's love, urging them to let them be. The lyrics emphasize that sticks and stones might break bones, but words don't bother the singer. The singer acknowledges that they've been abused, accused, rebuked, and stomped, but they don't care what people say because they love their partner too much to let them go. The second half of the song repeats the same idea, stating that people are scandalizing the singer's name and saying anything to make them feel bad, but they won't be swayed.

The lyrics speak to the universal experience of gossip and the pain that it can cause in personal relationships. The phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me" is often used to discourage emotional reactions to insults, but the singer in this song is reminding the listener that while words may not physically hurt, they can still cause harm. They also highlight the love and commitment that can withstand even the worst of people's judgments.

Line by Line Meaning

People talking, trying to break us up
Noisy chatterers endeavoring to create a rift between us.

Why don't they let us be
Why don't they leave us alone?

Sticks and stones may break my bones
Physical harm can affect my person.

But talk don't bother me
However, mere words cannot hurt me.

(No) People talking, trying to break us up
Yet more gossipers try to drive us apart.

When they know that I love you so
Despite being aware of my intense love for you,

So I don't care what the people might say
I refuse to be bothered by their utterances.

I'm never going to let you go
I shall never allow you to leave me.

I've been abused (I've been abused)
I've experienced mistreatment.

In my heart (I've been accused)
My reputation has been impugned.

I've been accused (I've been accused)
False charges have been leveled against me.

I've been rebuked and I've been stomped
I've been harshly criticized and subjected to tumultuous circumstances.

(Well) People talking, trying to break us up
Again, malicious talkers attempt to sever our relationship.

They're scandalizing my name
They're shamelessly besmirching my reputation.

They'll say anything just to make me feel bad
They'll spout any falsehood to cause me distress.

They'll say anything to make me shamed
They'll do anything to make me feel humiliated.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TITUS TURNER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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