What's the Matter With You Baby
Mary Wells feat. Marvin Gaye Lyrics
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Whoa-whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa-whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa-whoa
What's the matter with you, baby, what's the matter?
What did I do wrong?
Do you really wanna know?
You know that you done me wrong
Sorry, didn't mean no harm
Oh, baby
Let me take you out tonight
Make every little thing all right
You know you told me there would never be another
And you know you lied
When you lied, you hurt me, baby
When I left and I went away
I didn't know how much I loved you until today
Oh baby, leavin' me wasn't right
And now you wanna take me out tonight
Mary, won't you let me get on your good side?
If I did that, Marvin, it would hurt my pride
Hey, let me make it up to you if I can
I can't do it, don't you understand?
Mm-hmm, hmm, hmm, what's the matter with you, baby, what's the matter?
I told you that you done me wrong
Well, can you forgive me, maybe please forgive me?
I'll try, but it's gonna take some time
Hurry up, hurry up, before I lose my mind
I've got a feelin' everything is gonna work all right
But you can't take me out tonight
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa-whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa-whoa, whoa, whoa
The song “What’s The Matter With You Baby” by Mary Wells features two characters who are in a tumultuous relationship. The opening lines are a series of whoas, creating a sense of frustration and confusion. The female character asks what’s wrong with the male character, implying that he has done something to upset her. She wants to know what specifically she did wrong, highlighting a sense of mistrust and uncertainty in their relationship.
The male character tries to apologize, saying that he didn’t mean any harm. He offers to take her out and make everything right, but the female character is still hesitant, referencing the male character’s past lies and betrayals. In the end, the two reconcile, but it is clear that their relationship is not yet stable.
Through the lyrics of the song, Mary Wells captures the cyclical nature of unhealthy relationships, where forgiveness is given and taken repeatedly. The song also touches on themes of mistrust, betrayal, and the difficulty of repairing a broken relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Expressing frustration or confusion
What's the matter with you, baby, what's the matter?
Asking why the person is upset
What did I do wrong?
Questions the reason behind the person's upset
Do you really wanna know?
Asking if the person really wants to express their feelings
I wanna know, what's the matter with you, baby?
Expressing a desire to understand why the person is upset
You know that you done me wrong
Asserting that the person caused some harm
Sorry, didn't mean no harm
Apologizing for one's actions
Oh, baby
Expressing affection towards the person
Let me take you out tonight
Offering to take the person out to remedy the situation
Make every little thing alright
Promising to solve the issue and make things right
You know you told me there would never be another
Recalling a promise made by the person
And you know you lied
Asserting that the person broke their promise
When you lied, you hurt me, baby
Expressing that the person's actions caused pain
When I left and I went away
Recalling when the person left due to pain caused by the other person
I didn't know how much I loved you until today
Realizing the depth of one's affection for the person
Oh baby, leavin' me wasn't right
Expressing hurt over the other person leaving
And now you wanna take me out tonight
Not willing to immediately accept the other person's offer to make things right
Mary, won't you let me get on your good side?
Asking Mary to forgive or accept the person
If I did that, Marvin, it would hurt my pride
Refusing to accept the person's request because it would be disrespectful to oneself
Hey, let me make it up to you if I can
Offering to make things right
I can't do it, don't you understand?
Expressing inability to accept the person's offer
Mm-hmm, hmm, hmm, what's the matter with you, baby, what's the matter?
Repeating the question about the person's feelings
I told you that you done me wrong
Repeating that the person caused harm
Well, can you forgive me, maybe please forgive me?
Asking the person for forgiveness
I'll try, but it's gonna take some time
Expressing willingness to forgive, but needing time
Hurry up, hurry up, before I lose my mind
Urging the person to act quickly
I've got a feelin' everything is gonna work all right
Having optimism that things will be okay
But you can't take me out tonight
Declining the person's offer to make things right right away
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Expressing frustration or confusion
Whoa-whoa, whoa, whoa
Expressing frustration or confusion
Whoa-whoa, whoa, whoa
Expressing frustration or confusion
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARNEY ALES, CLARENCE PAUL, CLARENCE O. PAUL, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind