Back Talk
Journey Lyrics


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I work all day to make a livin'
No one needs
Your kind of attitude
Your sharp tongue
It cuts me like a razor
Lip service gets you nowhere
No, no, no
Back talk I don't need it
Be, be, be, back talk I don't need it
No, no, no back talk
Don't want to hear it
Don't give me no back talk

Watch that temper
You watch what you're sayin'

Don't talk to me
With that tone of voice
Your act is pushin' me
To the limit
Can't stand it, can't stand it
Can't take it any more

Don't want back talk
I don't need it
Don't give me back talk
I don't want to hear it
Don't give me back talk
Don't need it, no

I believe you enjoy
This aggravation
Lately that's all I get from you
You were born to drive me crazy
Can't take it, can't take it any more from you
No, no more

Back talk, I don't need it
Back talk, I don't need it
Back talk, Don't want to hear it
Don't give me no back talk
Sassy back talk
Don't give me no sassy back talk
No I don't want to hear it
No don't really need it




No don't give me no
Give me no don't you give me no

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Journey's song "Back Talk" describe someone who is tired of dealing with their partner's negative attitude and sharp tongue. The singer works all day to make a living and doesn't need the added stress of their partner's constant criticism and back talk. The song suggests that the partner's behavior is pushing the singer to their limit and they can no longer tolerate it. They plead with their partner to watch their tone of voice and stop giving them lip service because it's getting them nowhere. In the end, the singer declares that they don't want or need any more back talk or sassy attitude from their partner and that they are at their breaking point.


Line by Line Meaning

I work all day to make a livin'
I put in a lot of effort to earn my living


No one needs
Nobody wants or requires


Your kind of attitude
The negative way in which you behave and speak


Your sharp tongue
Your harsh and critical way of expressing yourself


It cuts me like a razor
It hurts me deeply


Lip service gets you nowhere
Mere words without action are unhelpful


No, no, no
Strongly disagreeing


Back talk I don't need it
I do not require any rude or argumentative responses


Be, be, be, back talk I don't need it
There is no need for any backtalk whatsoever


No, no, no back talk
I categorically do not want any backtalk


Don't want to hear it
I have no desire to listen to it


Don't give me no back talk
I do not want to be given any argumentative responses


Watch that temper
Control your anger


You watch what you're sayin'
Be mindful of the words you choose to say


Don't talk to me
Do not speak to me


With that tone of voice
Using that specific manner of speaking


Your act is pushin' me
The way you are behaving is causing me frustration


To the limit
To the point where I cannot tolerate it anymore


Can't stand it, can't stand it
I cannot bear it


Can't take it any more
I have reached my limit and cannot handle it any further


Don't want back talk
I do not desire any argumentative responses


Don't give me back talk
I do not want to be given any argumentative responses


I don't need it
It is unnecessary for me


Don't want to hear it
I do not wish to listen to it


Don't give me back talk
I do not want to be given any argumentative responses


Don't need it, no
I do not require it


I believe you enjoy
I think that you find pleasure in


This aggravation
This annoyance or irritation


Lately that's all I get from you
Recently, that is the only response I have received from you


You were born to drive me crazy
You seem to have been created especially to disturb me


No, no more
I cannot tolerate it any longer and will not allow it to continue


Back talk, I don't need it
I do not require any rude or argumentative responses


Back talk, Don't want to hear it
I do not wish to listen to any backtalk


Don't give me no back talk
I do not want to be given any argumentative responses


Sassy back talk
Rude or impertinent argumentative responses


Don't give me no sassy back talk
I do not want to be given any rude or impertinent argumentative responses


No I don't want to hear it
I do not wish to listen to it


No don't really need it
I do not really require it


No don't give me no
Do not provide me with any


Give me no don't you give me no
Do not give me any of it




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JONATHAN CAIN, STEPHEN RAY PERRY, STEVE SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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