Special Ones
Katie Noonan Lyrics


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Isn't it funny how you never really screamed at my face,
But your anger's so unspoken and unchannelled,
Permeates my essence to the point where I don't want to see you, hear you, be anywhere near you.
You probably think I'm threatened by you, but your illusionary power doesn't threaten me.
Actually I think it's kind of funny that you create
An illusion that is a mirror.
I don't appreciate you and I know that that surprises you.
I suppose you see that those who follow their heart always win,
Those with integrity have won the match before it's begun

So rather than being kicked around,
I'm going to kick you to the curb.
So rather than being pushed around,
I'm going to push you away first.
So rather than trying to protect you,
I'm going to cover my bases first.
So rather than trying to open my heart,
I'm going to lock it with a key.
So that only the special ones can ever get through to me

Some can see beyond the barrier of threshold,
Whereas others can't see beyond their sculptured mold.
You could offer me nothing,
You could offer me nothing that I need
Do you think I'm asking too much?
A kind of respect and trust that shouldn't even be questioned,
How can I open my heart with dishonesty sitting next to me?
I've honored your honor to the point of embarrassment,
But innocence in the hands of the guilt-free is kicked to,
Is kicked to the curb.
I was ashamed of my innocence,
I was ashamed of my innocence but now with clarity I see that your bullshit is just not worthy of me

So rather than being kicked around,
I'm going to kick you to the curb.
So rather than being pushed around,
I'm going to push you away first.
So rather than trying to protect you,
I'm going to cover my bases first.
So rather than trying to open my heart,
I'm going to lock it with a key.
So that only the special ones can ever get through to me.

I don't want to be angry...
I don't want to be angry...
I don't want to be angry...
I don't want to be angry, angry, angry...
This is not worthy of me and now with clarity,
I see that I can walk away, I can walk away

So rather than being kicked around,
I'm going to kick you to the curb.
So rather than being pushed around,
I'm going to push you away first.
So rather than trying to protect you,
I'm going to cover my bases first.
So rather than trying to open my heart,
I'm going to lock it with a key.




So that only the special ones,
So that only my special ones can ever get through to me .

Overall Meaning

In "Special Ones," Katie Noonan sings about a toxic relationship that has left her feeling drained and disrespected. The lyrics suggest that the other person in the relationship has not been overtly abusive towards her, but has instead been subtly and insidiously undermining her confidence and sense of self-worth. The anger and frustration that Noonan feels seems to have built up over time, to the point where she no longer wants to be around the other person at all. She talks about the importance of protecting herself and locking her heart up with a key, so that only the people who truly deserve her trust and love can ever get through to her.


The song's chorus is especially powerful, as Noonan repeats the phrase "So rather than being [insert verb] around, I'm going to [insert opposite verb] you away first." This is a clear statement of her intention to take control of the situation and protect herself, rather than continuing to allow the other person to have power over her. This sense of empowerment is also highlighted in the lines "Those with integrity have won the match before it's begun," suggesting that by being true to herself and her values, Noonan can avoid being manipulated and hurt.


Overall, "Special Ones" is a powerful anthem of self-respect and self-protection. It's a reminder that we don't have to put up with abusive or manipulative behavior from anyone, and that we have the power to choose who we allow into our hearts and lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Isn't it funny how you never really screamed at my face?
It's strange how your anger is so subtle that it seeps into everything around me, making me want to stay away from you.


But your anger's so unspoken and unchannelled,
Your anger is not expressed directly, but it affects everything around you.


Permeates my essence to the point where I don't want to see you, hear you, be anywhere near you.
Your anger affects me so much that I do not want to be in your presence.


You probably think I'm threatened by you, but your illusionary power doesn't threaten me.
You may think your power intimidates me, but I know it's just an illusion.


Actually I think it's kind of funny that you create an illusion that is a mirror.
I find it amusing that you create an illusion that reflects yourself.


I don't appreciate you and I know that that surprises you.
I don't value you as much as you think and that may come as a surprise to you.


I suppose you see that those who follow their heart always win,
You probably believe that those who follow their heart always succeed.


Those with integrity have won the match before it's begun
People with integrity have already won the game before it even starts.


So rather than being kicked around, I'm going to kick you to the curb.
Instead of being mistreated by you, I'm going to end the relationship.


So rather than being pushed around, I'm going to push you away first.
Instead of being manipulated by you, I'm going to distance myself from you.


So rather than trying to protect you, I'm going to cover my bases first.
Instead of protecting you, I'm going to make sure I am safe first.


So rather than trying to open my heart, I'm going to lock it with a key.
Instead of being vulnerable, I'm going to protect myself emotionally.


So that only the special ones can ever get through to me
I will only let people who truly care about me enter my life.


Some can see beyond the barrier of threshold,
Some people can see beyond the surface and understand deeper emotions.


Whereas others can't see beyond their sculptured mold.
Other people are so stuck in their own ways of thinking that they cannot see beyond it.


You could offer me nothing, you could offer me nothing that I need
You have nothing to offer me that I find valuable or necessary.


Do you think I'm asking too much?
Do you think it's unreasonable of me to ask for respect and trust?


A kind of respect and trust that shouldn't even be questioned,
I believe that some forms of respect and trust should not even need to be questioned.


How can I open my heart with dishonesty sitting next to me?
I cannot be vulnerable around someone who is dishonest.


I've honored your honor to the point of embarrassment,
I have respected you so much that it has been embarrassing at times.


But innocence in the hands of the guilt-free is kicked to the curb.
When innocent people are in the hands of people who don't care, they are often mistreated.


I was ashamed of my innocence, I was ashamed of my innocence but now with clarity I see that your bullshit is just not worthy of me.
I used to be ashamed of my naivete, but now I see that being honest and kind is worth more than dealing with your lies and manipulation.


I don't want to be angry... I don't want to be angry...
I don't want to be upset or mad anymore.


This is not worthy of me and now with clarity, I see that I can walk away, I can walk away
I see that this relationship is not worth it and I can leave it behind.


So that only the special ones, so that only my special ones can ever get through to me.
Only the people who truly deserve my love and trust will be let into my life.




Contributed by James M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Graham (GrahamE) Ernst

This is an outstanding song!

Andrew Lockett

Too right, and her work with George too was exemplary. Shimmering voice with staggering range.

S Mad

This song is magic, nostalgic. What’s voice. I have this on old my old CD mix!!!

Robyn Burfurd

I have loved Katie forever. Her amazingly beautiful voice send shivers down my spine in a really good way.

Graham (GrahamE) Ernst

I made the mistake of reading these comments. Why does everyone think they have to say something negative or compare artists. Can't you just say "Wow this song is amazing" and just be happy with that.

Sherry Morris

Don't make the mistake of taking notice of negative online & offline people. You sound like you have a good heart. Remember that ❤🦘🐨

Alex Xerri

To many individuals :( over population

timbiddy1

This woman has an amazing voice

Milan Coric

Love this song!

Tily Travels

I would never imagined 16 years ago when I would sing this song over and over again in the car on the way to and from high school that it would ring so significant my life, so many years on. This song is truly beautiful and I will always love it!!! ((side note: i cant believe there is even a debate about Vanessa Amorosi below, there is no competition, Noonan is the clear winner. I'm going to call it and say that I think 'BrenTheGorgeous' may actually be Vanessa in disguise 😂 ))

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