The four-time Grammy winner has acted in a number of films and been a guest-star on television. Lovett was married to actress Julia Roberts for a short time in the mid-1990s. In 2002, he was gored by a bull while working on his uncle's farm in Texas, but soon recovered and resumed touring.
My Baby Don't Tolerate
Lyle Lovett Lyrics
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"A skinny girl is a misery"
I shook my head because I knew he couldn't be right
But that's when I thought back to just last night
When I got home, it was maybe a little late
There was ne'er a crumb or ne'er a plate
There was no martini, no glass of grape
Some things, my baby don't tolerate, no
My baby don't tolerate, no
My baby don't tolerate from me
I said, "Hello honey, how have you been?"
She said, "What could you possibly
Have been doin' until half past ten?"
And not bein' completely unsensitive
I could tell my ship had run aground
'Cause when I puckered up, you know she puckered down
Some things, my baby don't tolerate, no
My baby don't tolerate, no
My baby don't tolerate from me
Now a small, more ordinary man might not appreciate
Guidance of a good woman who truly loves him
He might drift in despair during the ignorant
Dumbness doings of his dirty daily existence
That's not me, no, yes siree
I'm proof that true love will set you free
Some things, my baby don't tolerate, no
My baby don't tolerate, no
My baby don't tolerate from me
My baby don't tolerate, no
My baby don't tolerate, no
My baby don't tolerate from me
In Lyle Lovett's song "My Baby Don't Tolerate," the singer is reflecting on his relationship with his significant other. When a friend of his claims that a skinny girl is a misery, the singer disagrees with him, suggesting that his friend couldn't be more wrong. However, the singer soon experiences a situation that makes him contemplate his partner's expectations, as he returns home late and discovers that she has not prepared food or drink for him. The singer is aware that his partner does not tolerate certain things from him, and her attitude towards him makes him think back to their recent interactions.
The second verse sees the singer attempt to reconcile with his partner, greeting her and trying to start a conversation. However, his partner's suspicion of him makes him realize that she is not happy with him, and he acknowledges that he has disappointed her. The singer tries to show that he understands and appreciates his partner's guidance and love, suggesting that it enables him to be a better man. The repetition of the line "my baby don't tolerate" emphasizes the importance of understanding what one's partner needs and expects in a relationship, and the consequences that come with not meeting those needs.
Overall, this song emphasizes the importance of communication and understanding in a relationship, and the potential consequences of not meeting one's partner's expectations. Lovett's lyrics explore the everyday experiences and decisions that can impact a relationship, both positively and negatively.
Line by Line Meaning
A friend of mine, he said to me
A friend of mine once told me that being with a skinny girl is a misery.
I shook my head because I knew he couldn't be right
I disagreed with my friend's notion because I knew it wasn't true.
But that's when I thought back to just last night
However, I remembered what happened the previous night.
When I got home, it was maybe a little late
I arrived home a bit late.
There was ne'er a crumb or ne'er a plate
There was no leftover food or plates to indicate that my partner ate.
There was no martini, no glass of grape
There were no signs of drinking alcohol like a martini or wine glass.
But it was then I sought to contemplate
I started to think deeply about the situation.
Some things, my baby don't tolerate, no
I realized that there are certain things my partner doesn't tolerate.
My baby don't tolerate, no
My partner doesn't tolerate certain things.
My baby don't tolerate from me
I have to make sure to avoid doing things that my partner doesn't like.
I said, 'Hello honey, how have you been?'
I greeted my partner when I got home.
She said, 'What could you possibly / Have been doin' until half past ten?'
My partner questioned what I was doing until late at night.
And not bein' completely unsensitive
I was being mindful of my partner's feelings.
I could tell my ship had run aground
I could sense that I did something wrong and my relationship was in trouble.
'Cause when I puckered up, you know she puckered down
I tried to show affection, but my partner didn't reciprocate.
Now a small, more ordinary man might not appreciate
Some men might not realize the value of a loving and supportive partner.
Guidance of a good woman who truly loves him
The valuable advice of a woman who truly loves and cares for him.
He might drift in despair during the ignorant
Some men might feel lost and despair during their ignorant moments.
Dumbness doings of his dirty daily existence
Stupid actions that he does as part of his everyday routine.
That's not me, no, yes siree
But, I'm not like that, absolutely not!
I'm proof that true love will set you free
I understand the importance of true love in a relationship and it's a source of freedom.
My baby don't tolerate, no
My partner doesn't tolerate certain things.
My baby don't tolerate, no
My partner doesn't tolerate certain things.
My baby don't tolerate from me
I have to be cautious to avoid doing things that my partner doesn't like.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LYLE LOVETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind