The track contained lyrics that feature Jackson "deliberately turn[ing] clichés on their head" in that, while originally sounding as if the song would suggest that the male protagonist was looking for sex and his female partner was looking for love, the opposite is revealed to be the case. Jackson later said of the song's lyrics:
It was something that I heard somewhere that struck me as a cliché. The sort of thing that someone might say. And again, I thought, What could that be about? And that maybe the idea was to turn it on its head and have a conversation between a man and a woman and what you'd expect to be the typical roles are reversed. So that was the idea of that.
— Joe Jackson, Songfacts, 2012 https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/joe-jackson
It's Different For Girls
Joe Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't seem to say or do the right thing
Wanted to be sure you're feeling right
Wanted to be sure we want the same thing
She said, I can't believe it
You can't, possibly mean it
Don't we, all want the same thing
Well, who said anything about love?
No, not love she said
Don't you know that it's different for girls?
(Don't give me love)
No, not love she said
Don't you know that it's different for girls?
You're all the same
Mama always told me save yourself
Take a little time and find the right girl
Then again don't end up on the shelf
Logical advice gets you in a whirl
I know, a lot of things that you don't
You want to hear some?
She said, just give me something
Anything
Well give me all you got but not love
No, not love she said
Don't you know that it's different for girls?
(Don't give me love)
No, not love she said
Don't you know that it's different for girls?
You're all the same
You're all the same
You're all the same
You're all the same
You're all the same
You're all the same
You're all the same
You're all the same
Who said anything about love?
No, not love she said
Don't you know that it's different for girls?
(Don't give me love)
No, not love she said
Don't you know that it's different for girls?
(Don't give me love)
No, no, no, no, not love she said
Don't you know that it's different for girls?
(Don't give me love)
No, no, no, no, no, not love she said
Don't you know that it's different for girls?
You're all the same
You're all the same
You're all the same
You're all the same
In Joe Jackson's song "It's Different for Girls," the singer is expressing confusion about how to communicate with a woman he's interested in. He wants them to be on the same page and feel the same way, but he can't seem to articulate the right things to say. She responds by telling him that he couldn't possibly understand what it's like to be a woman when it comes to relationships, that it's “different for girls.” She explains that they don't necessarily want love, at least not in the way that men do. She wants him to understand that they don't want to be tied down, but they still want something more than just what a casual fling has to offer.
The song tackles the idea that men and women view relationships and emotions differently. Men often treat relationships as a means to an end, hoping to get love and commitment out of it. In contrast, women often seek out meaningful connections without necessarily feeling a need for a deeper commitment. The song critiques societal expectations of gender roles and how they play out in relationships. The woman in the song seems to be frustrated that the male narrator can't understand that there are different expectations and desires for men and women when it comes to relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
What the hell is wrong with you tonight?
The singer is confused about the other person's behavior today.
I can't seem to say or do the right thing
The singer is struggling to communicate effectively.
Wanted to be sure you're feeling right
The singer cares about the other person's emotional state.
Wanted to be sure we want the same thing
The artist wants to confirm their mutual goals for the relationship.
She said, I can't believe it
The other person is surprised by the artist's words or actions.
You can't, possibly mean it
The other person doubts the sincerity of the singer's words or actions.
Don't we, all want the same thing
The other person believes that both parties have similar desires for the relationship.
Don't we
The other person is questioning the artist's perspective on the situation.
Well, who said anything about love?
The artist is surprised by the other person's assumption of romantic involvement.
No, not love she said
The other person clarifies that their concerns are not about love.
Don't you know that it's different for girls?
The other person is pointing out that gender can affect one's experiences and perspectives.
(Don't give me love)
The other person is emphasizing that love is not the issue at hand.
You're all the same
The other person is frustrated with the singer's perceived similarity to other individuals of their gender.
Mama always told me save yourself
The singer had received advice from their mother to be cautious and look out for their own well-being.
Take a little time and find the right girl
The singer's mother had specifically advised them to take their time in finding a suitable romantic partner.
Then again don't end up on the shelf
The artist's mother may have cautioned them about not settling down too late in life.
Logical advice gets you in a whirl
The artist has conflicted emotions about their mother's advice, which seems to contrast with their personal experiences.
I know, a lot of things that you don't
The singer believes that they have more knowledge or understanding than the other person.
You want to hear some?
The singer is offering to share some of their insights with the other person.
She said, just give me something
The other person is interested in hearing the artist's perspective on the matter at hand.
Well give me all you got but not love
The artist is willing to share their thoughts with the other person but wants to clarify that their concerns do not involve romantic love.
No, no, no, no, not love she said
The other person is emphasizing that love is not a relevant factor in their situation.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Joe Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stratboy518
Who else is still loving this song in 2022? 😷🤙🏼
@keviningles5580
2024
@braindamage9604
2024
@jimmymullen7825
Me...Ireland 2024......
@TechnoPrimate66
I saw Joe Jackson in NYC about 20 years ago. I was with someone who knew someone and we ended up in a small bar after the show with Joe Jackson and a few others. The place wasn’t crowded; Joe was friendly, easy to approach and we had a decent conversation. He listened to whoever he was speaking with and just hung out until we left. A great guy!
@roseakarosiehweinstein3216
Cool beans my dear
@DjWellDressedMan
If the Bar was in Soho, we might have crossed paths!
I was in town for the New Music Seminar and I was in SoHo tripping on LSD and Joe Jackson walked by me and into a very small Bar.
Too High to say Hi.
@gothicqui
This song has been haunting me lately… makes me feel 16 again listening to WLIR on my parents Magnavox stereo full blast. ❤❤❤
@jwphx1962
Excellent song. One of his very, very best tunes. He is so underrated.
@wisconsindonna
Absolutely. I unfortunately just discovered him and I can’t stop listening! This song is WAY ahead of time