Treat Me Rough
Judy Garland Lyrics

I've always been considered quite a delicate child
People have always thought of me as fragile and in need of special treatment.

Watched over by a governess and nurse
I've had caretakers my entire life to ensure my safety and health.

To say I've lived a sheltered life is putting it mild
To put it lightly, I've hardly experienced the world beyond my home.

I promise you it couldn't be much worse
It's hard to imagine a life more sheltered and privileged than the one I've lived.

Mother always called me her hot house rose
My mother thought of me as a special, delicate flower that could only grow in the best and most protected circumstances.

All the dates I had were with hot house
I've only ever dated people who were as sheltered and privileged as I am.

But now that I am old enough to cast a few votes
Now that I'm an adult and can take part in the political process...

I'm going out and sow a few oats
I want to experience life beyond my sheltered upbringing and have some fun.

So treat me rough
I want to be handled roughly, not with kid gloves.

Muss my hair
Mess up my hair as a sign of treating me roughly.

Don't you dare to handle me with care
Don't treat me delicately, I want to be treated like an adult.

I'm no innocent child, baby
I'm a grown-up now and can handle rough treatment.

Keep on treating me wild
I want to keep experiencing life in an exciting and unrestrained way.

Pinch my cheek
A pinch is a rough and playful way to interact with someone, which is what I want.

Kiss and hug and squeeze me
Kissing, hugging, and squeezing are all physical expressions of rough affection.

'till I'm weak
I want to be treated so roughly that it leaves me physically weak.

I've been pampered enough, baby
I've had enough of being taken care of and want to experience something new.

Can't get enough
I want more, the rougher the better. I'm enjoying this new experience.

When I was born, they found a silver spoon in my mouth
I was born into a wealthy and privileged family.

I had a barber just to curl my hair
I had people who catered to my every appearance-related need.

If winter came the mater carried me to the south
My mother would take me to warmer climates during winter, so I would never be uncomfortable.

The point is that I had the best of care
I was privileged to have received the very best levels of care and attention in every aspect of my life.

Women and headwaiters fawned on me
People in service positions have always fawned over me and catered to my every whim.

Life was just a bore till it dawned on me
I became bored with being pampered and sheltered and craved something more.

That if I ever want to be a man amongst men
If I want to be seen as an equal to other men...

I'd have to be man-handled now and then
I'd have to be treated roughly and experience a different side of life to be considered a true adult.