As a singer, she had both a solo career and a career singing with, first, her family, and later, her husband. As a solo artist, she became somewhat successful with upbeat country tunes of the 1950s, like Juke Box Blues. In 1962 she and Merle Kilgore wrote Ring of Fire. The song documents Carter's feelings of conflict arising from her relationship with Johnny Cash.
She won a Grammy Award in 1999 for her solo album, Press On. Her last album, Wildwood Flower, was released posthumously in 2003 and won two additional Grammys.
It Ain't Me
June Carter Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leave at your own chosen speed
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'm not the one you need
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who's never weak but always strong
To protect you and defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
But it ain't me babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'll only let you down
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who'll promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes for you
Someone to close his heart
Someone to die for you and more
But it ain't me babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
You say you're lookin' for someone
To pick you up each time you fall
To gather flowers constantly
And to come each time you call
And will love you for your life
And nothin' more
But it ain't me babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
In June Carter Cash's song "It Ain't Me Babe," the singer is rejecting the advances of someone who wants her to be someone she's not. The lyrics are a series of refusals to the other person's requests for love and loyalty. The song is a message to a former lover who is looking for a savior, someone who will always be there when they need them. The singer is not willing to be that person, saying "I'm not the one you want, babe, I'll only let you down."
The chorus, "It ain't me babe," is a firm declaration that the singer cannot be who the other person wants her to be. She is not willing to sacrifice her own identity to fit into someone else's ideal. The verses explain why she cannot fulfill the other person's desires, even if she wanted to. She is not strong enough to protect them, and she is not willing to promise never to part. She cannot be the person who gathers flowers or dies for them.
The song is ultimately about self-preservation and honesty. The singer is not afraid to tell the other person that she cannot fulfill their desires, even though it may hurt them. She would rather be truthful than pretend to be someone she's not. In its essence, the song celebrates individuality and self-respect.
Line by Line Meaning
Go away from my window
Please leave my sight.
Leave at your own chosen speed
Take your time leaving.
I'm not the one you want, babe
I am not the person that you are interested in.
I'm not the one you need
I am not the person that you require.
You say you're lookin' for someone
You mentioned that you are searching for an individual who...
Who's never weak but always strong
Who is strong and never shows any signs of weakness.
To protect you and defend you
To shield and support you.
Whether you are right or wrong
Regardless of whether you are correct or mistaken.
Someone to open each and every door
An individual to handle every task.
But it ain't me babe
However, I am not that person.
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
No, no, no, I am not that person.
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
You are not searching for me.
Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Be cautious as you exit.
Go lightly on the ground
Be careful not to harm yourself.
I'll only let you down
I will disappoint you.
Who'll promise never to part
An individual who vows never to separate.
Someone to close his eyes for you
Someone to sacrifice their life for you.
Someone to close his heart
An individual to emotionally support you.
Someone to die for you and more
A person who is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for you and beyond.
You say you're lookin' for someone
You claim to be in search of someone who...
To pick you up each time you fall
To support you when you are in need.
To gather flowers constantly
To consistently bring you happiness.
And to come each time you call
And to always be readily available when you summon them.
And will love you for your life
And will love you throughout your entire life.
And nothin' more
And nothing beyond that.
But it ain't me babe
However, I am not that person.
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
No, no, no, I am not that person.
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
You are not searching for me.
Lyrics © BOB DYLAN MUSIC CO
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
gerhard sochor
Lyrics:
Go away from my window
Leave at your own chosen speed
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'm not the one you need
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who's never weak but always strong
To protect you and defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door.
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.
Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'll only let you down
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who'll promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes to you
Someone to close his heart
Someone to die for you and more.
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.
You say you're lookin' for someone
To pick you up each time you fall
To gather flowers constantly
And to come each time you call
And will love you for your life
And nothin' more.
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.
Mijail
It Ain't Me, Babe lyrics 🎤♪ ♫ ♬ 🎶 🎼
Go 'way from my window
Leave at your own chosen speed
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'm not the one you need
You say you're lookin' for someone
Never weak but always strong
To protect you an' defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want, babe
I will only let you down
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who will promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes for you
Someone to close his heart
Someone who will die for you an' more
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
Go melt back into the night, babe
Everything…
Boombfly
Go away for my window
Leave at your own chosen speed.
I´m not the one you want, babe.
I´m not the one you need.
You say you´re looking for someone
Who´s never weak but always strong.
To protect you and defend you
Wheter you are right or wrong.
Someone to open each and every door.
(Chorus)
But it ain´t me, babe.
No, no, no, it ain´t me, babe.
It ain´t me you´re looking for...babe.
Good lightly from the ledge, babe.
Go lightly on the ground.
I´m not the one you want, babe
I´ll only let you down.
You say you´re looking for someone
Who´ll promise never to part.
Someone to close his eyes to you.
Someone to close his heart,
Someone to die for you and more.
(Chorus)
But it ain´t me, babe.
No, no, no, it ain´t me, babe.
It ain´t me you´re looking for...babe
You say you´re looking for someone
To pick you up each time you fall.
To gather flowers constantly
And to come each time you call
And will love you for your life
And nothing more.
(Chorus)
But it ain´t me, babe.
No, no, no, it ain´t me, babe.
It ain´t me you´re looking for...babe
fons fontis
Go 'way from my window,
Leave at your own chosen speed.
I'm not the one you want, babe,
I'm not the one you need.
You say you're lookin' for someone
Never weak but always strong,
To protect you an' defend you
Whether you are right or wrong,
Someone to open each and every door,
But it ain't me, babe,
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe,
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.
Go lightly from the ledge, babe,
Go lightly on the ground.
I'm not the one you want, babe,
I will only let you down.
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who will promise never to part,
Someone to close his eyes for you,
Someone to close his heart,
Someone who will die for you an' more,
But it ain't me, babe,
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe,
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.
Go melt back into the night, babe,
Everything inside is made of stone.
There's nothing in here moving
An' anyway I'm not alone.
You say you're looking for someone
Who'll pick you up each time you fall,
To gather flowers constantly
An' to come each time you call,
A lover for your life an' nothing more,
But it ain't me, babe,
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe,
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.
Bruce Chelemer
Classic moment... when she gets flustered as he puts his arm around her and she forgets the words. Makes the recording even more powerful. You can feel the love he has for her... he's so happy to sing for her. Touching and marvelous.
Mary Goodman
Love them both for their unstoppable, unforgettable TRUE LOVE and songs.
hirdy6
'Someone who knows the words!' Oh June, that was gold, no wonder Johnny loved you!
Wendell Blackett
I loved that line too
hirdy6
Wendell Blackett Watch the hands behind Junes back, just a little bit ordinary.
Richard Marshall Bowman
+hirdy6 Extraordinary...these two...in song & in love..public or private. One of the great love storys of the century.
hirdy6
***** I reckon you might be spot on there Rick.
Richard Marshall Bowman
This video...I believe....was from Johnny's TV show. By the time his show was airing... 1969-1971...he and June were already married (March 1968).
Chad Nogskillen
2:08 June forgets the lyrics and Johnny just blows right through, possibly the most romantic moment ever captured on television.
Thomas Ayer
Yup. What a love they had.