You Beat Me To The Punch
Mary Wells Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

That day, I first saw you, oh, oh, passing by
I wanted to know your name but I was much too shy
But I was looking at you so hard
Until you must have had a hunch
So you came up to me and asked me my name

You beat me to the punch, that time
You beat me to the punch, oh, oh, oh, oh
You beat me to the punch

Oh oh oh, after I had known you for it seems like a long, long time
I wanted, wanted to ask you, would you please, please be mine
Whenever you came around, my heart would pound
So you must have had a hunch
So you came up to me and asked me to be yours

You beat me to the punch one more time
You beat me to the punch, oh, oh, oh, oh
You beat me to the punch, yeah

Since I love you, I thought you would be true and love me tender
So I let my heart surrender, to you, yes I did
But I found out beyond a doubt one day boy, you were a playboy
Who would go away and leave me blue

So I ain't gonna wait around for you to put me down
This time I'm gonna play my hunch
And walk away this very day

And beat you to the punch
This time, I'll beat you to the punch
Yes, I will




And let you know, know
How it feels, oh, oh, oh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mary Wells's song "You Beat Me to the Punch" tells a story of a girl who falls in love with a guy at first sight but is too shy to approach him. Despite her shyness, she continues to admire him from afar, hoping that he would eventually notice her. One day, the guy approaches her and asks for her name, beating her to the punch. As they get to know each other, the girl develops deeper feelings for the guy that she wants to be with him. However, she later finds out that the guy is a playboy who doesn't reciprocate her love, prompting her to be the one to beat him to the punch this time by leaving him before he could hurt her.


The line "You beat me to the punch" is a metaphor for the guy getting ahead of the girl in terms of making the first move. It expresses the girl's disappointment that the guy made the move before she could build up the courage to do it herself. The line "I ain't gonna wait around for you to put me down" reinforces the girl's resolve not to let the guy hurt her and to take control of the situation by leaving him first.


Overall, the song's message is about the importance of taking control of your life and not letting others determine your happiness. It is also a cautionary tale about falling in love too quickly and not seeing a person for who they really are.


Line by Line Meaning

That day, I first saw you, oh, oh, passing by
When I first saw you walking by, I was intrigued.


I wanted to know your name but I was much too shy
I was interested in knowing your name but lacked the confidence to ask.


But I was looking at you so hard
I was staring at you with intense focus.


Until you must have had a hunch
You probably guessed that I was interested in getting to know you.


So you came up to me and asked me my name
You took the initiative and asked me my name first.


You beat me to the punch, that time
You beat me to the first move of asking for the other's name.


Oh oh oh, after I had known you for it seems like a long, long time
After I got to know you for some time, which felt like a long time to me.


I wanted, wanted to ask you, would you please, please be mine
I wanted to express my feelings and ask you to be my partner.


Whenever you came around, my heart would pound
My heart would beat faster whenever you were near me.


So you must have had a hunch
You probably guessed that I was interested in being more than friends.


So you came up to me and asked me to be yours
You asked me to be your partner before I could ask you.


You beat me to the punch one more time
You beat me to the first move again by asking me to be your partner.


Since I love you, I thought you would be true and love me tender
As I loved you, I hoped you would reciprocate my feelings and treat me with affection.


So I let my heart surrender, to you, yes I did
I let go of my reservations and gave my heart to you.


But I found out beyond a doubt one day boy, you were a playboy
I later discovered that you were not faithful and were involved with multiple partners.


Who would go away and leave me blue
You would leave me heartbroken and sad.


So I ain't gonna wait around for you to put me down
I am not going to wait for you to hurt me emotionally.


This time I'm gonna play my hunch
I will follow my intuition and do what feels right to me.


And walk away this very day
I am leaving you today.


And beat you to the punch
I will take the first move this time.


This time, I'll beat you to the punch
I will make the first move before you do.


Yes, I will
I am determined to take control of my love life.


And let you know, know
I will make sure you understand.


How it feels, oh, oh, oh
How it feels to be on the receiving end of emotional hurt and pain.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronald White, William Robinson Jr

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@shinylite54

I am a white male from St. Louis Mo. Disabled for life at 18 Vietnam. I loved this girl so much and I felt that she was singing to me personally every time I herd her. We are a product of our home, I grew up with black girls every where. I married one that died breast cancer. we were hitched 46 years before her passing. Bigotry is a complete and total waste of time. I thank God and Mary for my baby.

@tonyrussi7777

The GREATEST female singer in Rock & Soul History!!

@NewDawnFadesX

I agree. 😎

@dec1990100

Oh Mary, what a voice, what a talent.  I know you are deceased, but I still must thank you for making my high school days so much more bearable.

@jonmilan7058

Legend never dies

@JMasalle

This is 2019: She should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame already.

@rosesantizo6715

This is one of the best singers I have ever heard and is way before my time

@Gypsy1194

Yes! Most definitely.

@SunnyIlha

Totally!!!!

@DfromTC

Lana H Right! 💯

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