Sylvia
Neneh Cherry/Pulp Lyrics

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You look just like Sylvia
Well, you look like her to me
The way she wore her hair then

Oh, he way she used to be
I've not seen her for a long time
Though I've heard she's still around

Her father's living with some girl
Who's a year younger than her
She's living in the country now, yeah

Oh, she's trying to get better
Her beauty was her only crime
Yeah, I remember Sylvia

So keep believing
And do what you do
I can't help you but I know things are gonna get better
And please stop asking what it's got to do with you
Oh, keep believing 'cause you know that you deserve better

Who's this man you're talking to?
Can't you see what he wants to do?
He thinks if he stands near enough then he will look as good as you
Oh, he don't care about your problems
He just wants to show his friends
I guess I'm just the same as him
Oh, I just didn't know it then
I never understood you really
And I know it's too late now
You didn't ask to be that way
Oh, I'm sorry, Sylvia

So keep believing
And do what you do
I can't help you but I know things are gonna get better
And please stop asking what it's got to do with you
Oh, keep believing 'cause you know that you deserve better
Oh, it's true, yeah

So please stop asking what it's got to do with you
Oh, keep believing 'cause you know that you deserve better
Oh, yeah, you know that you deserve better

Oh, yeah, you know that you deserve better
Oh, Sylvia

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Neneh Cherry/Pulp's song Sylvia talk about the memory of a person named Sylvia, who the singer hasn't seen in a long time but still remembers her looks and style. The singer talks about how Sylvia's beauty was often criticized, which was really the only crime she ever committed. The song then turns into a kind of pep talk, with the singer encouraging Sylvia to keep believing in herself, even though she may encounter people who don't understand or care about her problems. The song acknowledges that the singer also didn't always understand Sylvia, but they apologize for this and express empathy for her struggles.

Overall, the song seems to be about the theme of self-acceptance and self-belief, particularly in the face of societal pressures and criticism. The singer remembers Sylvia as a beautiful but misunderstood person, and they encourage her (and perhaps others listening) to keep trying to believe in themselves and their worth.

Line by Line Meaning

You look just like Sylvia
You bear a striking resemblance to Sylvia

Well, you look like her to me
To me, you resemble Sylvia very much

The way she wore her hair then
The style she used to wear her hair in

Oh, the way she used to be
The way she used to behave and live her life

I've not seen her for a long time
I haven't seen Sylvia in a while

Though I've heard she's still around
However, I have heard that she is still present

Her father's living with some girl
Sylvia's father is currently cohabiting with another woman

Who's a year younger than her
This woman is one year younger than Sylvia

She's living in the country now, yeah
Sylvia is now residing in the countryside

Oh, she's trying to get better
She is making an effort to improve her situation

Her beauty was her only crime
The only flaw Sylvia had was that she was beautiful

Yeah, I remember Sylvia
I still have memories of Sylvia

So keep believing
Continue to have faith in yourself

And do what you do
Keep doing what you're doing

I can't help you but I know things are gonna get better
Although I can't assist you, I am confident that your situation will improve

And please stop asking what it's got to do with you
Stop questioning how this pertains to you

Oh, keep believing 'cause you know that you deserve better
Maintain your confidence because you are worthy of better

Who's this man you're talking to?
Who is the person you are conversing with?

Can't you see what he wants to do?
Can't you recognize his intentions?

He thinks if he stands near enough then he will look as good as you
He believes that by standing near you, he will appear as attractive as you

Oh, he don't care about your problems
He is unconcerned about your issues or difficulties

He just wants to show his friends
His only goal is to impress his friends

I guess I'm just the same as him
I suppose I am similar to him

Oh, I just didn't know it then
I was unaware of this similarity at the time

I never understood you really
I never truly comprehended you

And I know it's too late now
Unfortunately, I now recognize that it is too late

You didn't ask to be that way
It wasn't your choice to be the way you are

Oh, I'm sorry, Sylvia
I apologize, Sylvia

Oh, it's true, yeah
Yes, it is accurate

So please stop asking what it's got to do with you
Stop inquiring about how everything relates to you

Oh, keep believing 'cause you know that you deserve better
Remain confident because you are deserving of more

Oh, yeah, you know that you deserve better
You are aware that you deserve better

Oh, Sylvia
Oh, Sylvia

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Candida Doyle, Jarvis Branson Cocker, Mark Andrew Webber, Nick Banks, Stephen Patrick Mackey

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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