Tell Me Why
Mike Rutherford/Phil Collins/Tony Banks Lyrics


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I love you girl, with all my heart and soul.
I can't understand why you treat me cold.
Your every wish, girl, is my command
And that's why I can't seem to understand why,
Girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue?
I'm askin' you girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue?

One day you say you love me too.
The next day you tell me that we are through.
My love for you is just a game.
But each time we play, girl, my heart feels the pain.
Girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue? Oh
I'm askin' you girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue? So blue

Ooh, girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue? (Make me blue)
Oh girl, oh girl, oh girl tell me why can't you be true? (Can't be true)
The way you treat me it just isn't fair.
You make it so plain you just don't care.
You have a ball around my time.
The sleepless nights are getting me tired.
Girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue?
I'm askin' you girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue?
Come on and tell me now girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue?




Ooh, girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue?
Come on and tell me now girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tell Me Why by Mike Rutherford/Phil Collins/Tony Banks speak about a man who is deeply in love with a woman who keeps playing with his heart. He expresses his confusion and pain in the relationship, wondering why his love is not reciprocated. He emphasizes that he is always there for her and will do anything to make her happy, yet he cannot comprehend why she continues to treat him coldly. He observes that one day she tells him that she loves him, and the next day, she claims she wants nothing to do with him. Despite the love he has for her, she sees it as a game and plays with his heart, causing him deep emotional pain. The man is at his wit's end, wondering why the woman he loves wants to make him feel so low and blue.


The lyrics of this song tell a common story of a man struggling with a perplexing relationship issue, leaving him dejected and confused. They capture the profound emotional experience of unrequited love, a sentiment that everyone can relate to. It shows the frustration and anguish that comes with falling in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way about you. The tone of the song is melancholic, expressed with a slow musical tempo that creates an intense emotional impact on the listener. It is a beautiful ballad that showcases the depth of love and the pain it often brings.


Line by Line Meaning

I love you girl, with all my heart and soul.
I have strong feelings of love towards you, encompassing my entire being.


I can't understand why you treat me cold.
I am struggling to comprehend why you are being distant and uncaring towards me.


Your every wish, girl, is my command
I am willing to fulfill your desires and needs, and do anything to make you happy.


And that's why I can't seem to understand why
My devotion to you is why I am so confused by your behavior towards me.


Girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue?
I am feeling sad and dejected, and I am questioning why you would want to cause me this pain.


I'm askin' you girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue?
I am pleading with you to explain the reason behind your actions that are causing me such emotional distress.


One day you say you love me too.
You have told me you have feelings of love for me at one point in time.


The next day you tell me that we are through.
However, the very next day, you declare that our relationship is over.


My love for you is just a game.
Despite my deep love for you, it feels like you are playing with my emotions.


But each time we play, girl, my heart feels the pain.
Whenever we interact, it causes me emotional distress and takes a toll on my heart.


Ooh, girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue? Oh
I am feeling very sad, and I cannot fathom why you would want to cause me this pain.


So blue
I am feeling incredibly down and unhappy because of your actions.


Oh girl, oh girl, oh girl tell me why can't you be true?
I am asking you why you can't be honest and genuine with me about your feelings and intentions.


The way you treat me it just isn't fair.
Your actions towards me are not just, reasonable, or equitable.


You make it so plain you just don't care.
Your behavior clearly shows that you do not have any concern or affection for me.


You have a ball around my time.
You are taking advantage of my time and manipulating it for your own purposes.


The sleepless nights are getting me tired.
The emotional turmoil caused by our relationship is starting to take a physical toll on me, leading to sleepless nights and exhaustion.


Come on and tell me now girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue?
I am urging you to explain to me the reason behind your actions that have caused me so much sadness and emotional pain.


Ooh, girl, girl, girl why you wanna make me blue?
I am feeling incredibly sad, and I cannot fathom why you would want to cause me this pain.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, NORMAN WHITFIELD, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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