Jealousy
Natalie Merchant Lyrics


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Ooh, jealousy
Ooh, jealousy

Is she fine, so well bred
The perfect girl, a social deb
Is she the sort, you've always thought
Could make you what you're not?
Ooh, jealousy
Ooh, jealousy

Is she bright, so well read
Are there novels by her bed?
Is she the sort that you've always said
Could satisfy your head?

Ooh, jealousy
La-la-la-la-la, la
Ooh, jealousy
La-la-la-la, la
Ooh, my jealousy

Does she talk the way I do?
Is her voice reminding you
Of the promises, the little white lies too




Sometimes, tell me, while she's touching you
Just by mistake, accidentally, do you say my name?

Overall Meaning

In the song Jealousy, Natalie Merchant sings about being consumed by jealousy over her partner’s potential fascination with another woman. The song begins with the repetition of “Ooh, jealousy” indicating the intensity of the emotion. Next, she asks if the other woman is refined and polished, someone from high society who could transform her partner into someone he is not. She wonders if the other woman is intellectually stimulating and if her partner has read the same books as her. Merchant gives voice to the insecurity that plagues people sometimes, especially in the context of relationships. She reflects on the possibility of the other woman making her appear inadequate or replaceable.


Merchant then delves deeper into her insecurities by asking if the other woman has a voice similar to hers and reminds her partner of their shared beautiful moments. She wonders if her partner finds the other woman so captivating that he occasionally calls out her name by mistake when he is with her. While the song is about jealousy and insecurity, it is also about the power of imagination and how it can spiral out of control if not kept in check. The lyrics convey the idea that jealousy can lead to feelings of worthlessness and insecurity that can ultimately destroy even the strongest of relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Ooh, jealousy
The overwhelming feeling of envy and insecurity


Ooh, jealousy
The repeated, intense emotion


Is she fine, so well bred
Wondering if the other woman is physically and socially superior


The perfect girl, a social deb
The ideal female who is polished and poised


Is she the sort, you've always thought Could make you what you're not?
Wanting to be someone else by being with someone seemingly better


Is she bright, so well read
Questioning if the other woman is intelligent and well-read


Are there novels by her bed?
Wondering if she is well-educated and intellectual


Is she the sort that you've always said Could satisfy your head?
Thinking if the other woman can fulfill intellectual and emotional needs


Does she talk the way I do?
Comparing the conversations with the other woman


Is her voice reminding you Of the promises, the little white lies too?
Associating the other woman's voice with broken promises and lies


Sometimes, tell me, while she's touching you Just by mistake, accidentally, do you say my name?
Suspecting if the ex-lover utters her name while being affectionate with the other woman




Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Natalie Merchant

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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