The chorus suggests that the singer is willing to endure pain and heartbreak for her ex-lover. She offers herself as a support system, regardless of how harshly her ex-partner may treat her.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on happier times in the relationship when they swam under the moon, and she reveals that she is waiting for her ex-lover to return to her. She believes that they were meant to be together and being with them makes her feel alive and passionate.
The bridge expresses the singer's fear of being left alone and uncared for. She pleads with her ex-lover not to abandon her completely. The outro repeats the chorus, indicating the singer's unwavering dedication towards her ex-partner, even if it means enduring more heartbreak. The song ultimately conveys the painful aftermath of a broken relationship and the difficulties of letting go.
I Don't Smoke
Mitski Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Except for when I'm missing you
To remember your mouth, how it
Tasted true
And I don't smoke
Except for after I've held you, baby
Being with you
Makes the flame burn good
So if you need to be mean
Be mean to me
I can take it and put it inside of me
If your hands need to break
More than trinkets in your room
You can lean on my arm
As you break my heart
I'm what's left of when we
Swam under the moon
Now the rest of my days are just
Waiting for when
You come down and tell me
I was meant for you, baby
Being with you
Makes the flame burn good
If you need to be mean
Be mean to me
I can take it and put it inside of me
If your hands need to break
More than trinkets in your room
You can lean on my arm
As you break my heart
Just don't leave me alone
Wondering where you are
I am stronger than you give me
Credit for
If your hands need to break
More than trinkets in your room
You can lean on my arm
As you break my heart
Mitski's song "I Don't Smoke" appears on her 2014 album, "Bury Me at Makeout Creek." The lyrics are about missing someone so much that the singer resorts to smoking a cigarette in order to still feel connected to that person. The first verse describes the smoker's memories of kissing the person they miss and how the cigarette helps bring those memories back. The second verse discusses the aftermath of being with the person and how it affects the smoker. The chorus is a plea for the person to lean on the singer's arm when they need help breaking things, both physically and emotionally.
The line "If your hands need to break more than trinkets in your room" suggests that the person is experiencing some kind of emotional turmoil and may be prone to lashing out or even physically destroying objects. The smoker offers themselves up as a way for that energy to be redirected and channeled into something constructive.
Throughout the song, the singer is yearning for the person they miss, waiting for them to return and tell them that they were always meant to be together. The final plea of "Just don't leave me alone wondering where you are" is a heartbreaking admission of vulnerability and need.
Overall, "I Don't Smoke" is a poignant reflection on the pain of missing someone and the desire to be there for them, even when it means putting oneself in harm's way.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't smoke
I do not smoke cigarettes
Except for when I'm missing you
However, I do smoke when I miss you
To remember your mouth, how it Tasted true
I smoke to remember the way your mouth tasted when we kissed
And I don't smoke Except for after I've held you, baby
Also, I only smoke after we've been together
Being with you Makes the flame burn good
Being with you makes the cigarette taste better
So if you need to be mean Be mean to me I can take it and put it inside of me
If you need to be cruel or hurtful, take it out on me. I am strong enough to handle it
If your hands need to break More than trinkets in your room You can lean on my arm As you break my heart
If you need to vent your anger physically, you can use me as a punching bag rather than destroying your belongings. I will be there to support you even as it breaks my heart
I'm what's left of when we Swam under the moon Now the rest of my days are just Waiting for when You come down and tell me I was meant for you, baby Being with you Makes the flame burn good
I am the embodiment of our past memories, and my life now revolves around waiting for you to return and affirm that I am yours. Being with you still makes everything feel better
Just don't leave me alone Wondering where you are I am stronger than you give me Credit for
I can endure your hurtful words and actions, but please do not leave me without any closure or idea of where you are. I am capable of handling more than you think
If your hands need to break More than trinkets in your room You can lean on my arm As you break my heart
Once again, I will be there for you even if it means putting myself in harm's way
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mitsuki Laycock
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pichontwt2721
𝖫𝗒𝗋𝗂𝖼𝗌<𝟥! :
I don't smoke
Except for when I'm missing you
To remember your mouth, how it
Tasted true
And I don't smoke
Except for after I've held you, baby
Being with you
Makes the flame burn good
So if you need to be mean
Be mean to me
I can take it and put it inside of me
If your hands need to break
More than trinkets in your room
You can lean on my arm
As you break my heart
I'm what's left of when we
Swam under the moon
Now the rest of my days are just
Waiting for when
You come down and tell me
I was meant for you, baby
Being with you
Makes the flame burn good
If you need to be mean
Be mean to me
I can take it and put it inside of me
If your hands need to break
More than trinkets in your room
You can lean on my arm
As you break my heart
Just don't leave me alone
Wondering where you are
I am stronger than you give me
Credit for
If your hands need to break
More than trinkets in your room
You can lean on my arm
As you break my heart
@goldpeak_tea
Lyrics
I don't smoke except for when I'm missing you.
To remember your mouth, how it tasted true.
And I dont smoke except for after I've held you,
Baby, being with you makes the flame burn good.
So if you need to be mean,
Be mean to me.
I can take it and put it inside of me.
If your hands need to break more than trinkets in your room,
You can lean on my arm as you break my heart.
I'm whats left of when we swam under the moon.
Now the rest of my days I'm just waiting for
When you come down and tell me I was meant for you
Baby, being with you makes the flame burn good.
If you need to be mean,
Be mean to me.
I can take it and out it inside of me.
If your hands need to break more than trinkets in your room,
You can lean on my arm as you break my heart.
Just don't leave me alone wondering where you are.
I AM STRONGER THAN YOU GIVE ME CREDIT FOR.
If your hands need to break more than trinkets in your room,
You can lean on my arm as you break my heart...
@viandhiaa820
[Verse 1]
I don't smoke, except for when I'm missing you
To remember your mouth, how it tasted true
And I don't smoke, except for after I've held you, baby
Being with you makes the flame burn good
[Chorus]
So if you need to be mean, be mean to me
I can take it and put it inside of me
If your hands need to break more than trinkets in your room
You can lean on my arm as you break my heart
[Verse 2]
I'm what's left of when we swam under the moon
Now the rest of my days are just waiting for when
You've calmed down and tell me, "I was meant for you"
Baby, being with you makes the flame burn good
[Chorus]
If you need to be mean, be mean to me
I can take it and put it inside of me
If your hands need to break more than trinkets in your room
You can lean on my arm as you break my heart
[Bridge]
Just don't leave me alone wondering where you are
I am stronger than you give me credit for
[Outro]
If your hands need to break more than trinkets in your room
You can lean on my arm as you break my heart
@the.watchers.of.the.forest
the "if you need to be mean, be mean to me, i can take it and put it inside of me" part is so relatable because for so long i just accepted the torment of my friends just because i didnt want to be alone, but sometimes it doesnt work out and im alone again
@an.august.sunflower
those arent your friends sweetheart. you'll find someone who can bring the light of life to you instead of sucking it out of you. people like that arent worth it, and its hard and easier said than done, but youre not alone. ive never had a really close friend ever, but i get your situation
@lethal8lily
real
@u8hx
I just noticed how much I can relate to this.. Or used to.
I had a group of three, and they were kind of rude and mean many times.. I didn't wanted to make them mad so I just pleased these friends doing Things that i didnt wanted to do. I didn't wanted to be left out or being alone.
@Gworlypopp
past me:
@Ravynus
@@Gworlypopp same I'm so glad I finally found her
@rowan._.the._.flying-doggy
"just don't leave me alone wondering where you are.."
"i am *stronger* than you give me credit for."
STOP I AM CRYING THAT HITS HARD IF YOUVE BEEN IN ABUSIVE/TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS
*thank you for the likes, its so sad but comforting seeing people in the comments relating to me. im really sorry for everyone that has been through something related to it. hugs <33
@Jimz729
That line reminds me of my parent’s relationship last year. At one point my mom and I were driving down the street at 2 am hoping we wouldn’t find my dad dead in a ditch.
@Peppers_offixial
@Jimz729 oh my. I'm so sorry for you, you must be so traumatized.
@stonewonk
My mother neglected me for a good chunk of the start of my life. I had to move in with my grandma and uncle because I wasn't being taken care of properly at all.
Remember, that neglect is classified as abuse.