tell me
Macy Gray Lyrics

The lyrics to Macy Gray's song "Tell Me" express the vulnerability and longing of unrequited love. The singer starts by contemplating whether she should reveal her secret feelings, questioning if the recipient of her affection would keep it as a secret or share it with the world through social media. The mention of writing a letter suggests a desire for intimate conversation face-to-face rather than through impersonal means. She expresses her love for the person so deeply that it blinds her, making it impossible for her to see anything else. The anticipation builds as she anxiously waits for the person to tell her how they truly feel.

The second verse delves into the complexity of the emotions involved. The singer uses the metaphor of roses being red and violets being blue to convey the contrast between her love for everything her object of affection despises about themselves. She notices a lack of reciprocity in their feelings and fears that their honesty might break her. She pleads with them to keep whatever it is they want to say a secret, perhaps not wanting to face the heartbreak of hearing that they don't feel the same way.

The chorus emphasizes the unpredictability of the romantic relationship. Sometimes the singer feels up and sometimes down, but despite the ups and downs, the person she loves sticks around. She questions if she's reading too much into their actions and their touch, wondering if they truly stay because they care for her or if it's simply a surface-level connection.

In the final verse, the singer admits that she will keep this secret to herself. She acknowledges that the person may not reciprocate her feelings. However, she holds onto the belief that everything changes and dreams can come true, leaving a glimmer of hope that perhaps one day the person will confess their love for her.

Overall, "Tell Me" is a bittersweet portrayal of unrequited love, capturing the agonizing longing, vulnerability, and hope that often accompany such emotions.