Don't Put Her Down
New Riders Of The Purple Sage Lyrics
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You pull the string
She's your plaything
You can make her or break her, it's true
You abuse her, accuse her
Turn her round and use her
Then forsake her any time it suits you
There's more to her than powder and paint
Than her peroxided bleached-out hair
And if she acts that way
It's 'cause you've had your day
Don't put her down, you helped put her there
She hangs around
Playing her clown
While her soul is aching inside
She's heartbreak's child
She just lives for your smile
To build her up in a world made by man
There's more to her than powder and paint
Than her peroxided bleached-out hair
And if she acts that way
It's 'cause you've had your day
Don't put her down, you helped put her there
At the house down the way
You sneak and you pay
For her love, her body or her shame
Then you call yourself a man
And say you just don't understand
How a woman could turn out that way
There's more to her than powder and paint
The men she picks up at the bar
And if she acts that way
It's 'cause you've had your day
Don't put her down, you helped put her there
And if she acts that way
It's 'cause you've had your day
Don't put her down, you helped put her there
The New Riders of the Purple Sage's song "Don't Put Her Down" is a commentary on the mistreatment of women. The lyrics suggest that women are often objectified by men, used and abused for their own gain. The song speaks specifically to men who use women for sex and then discard them, blaming the women for their own choices. The lyrics encourage listeners to recognize the value and worth of women beyond their physical appearance, and to acknowledge the role that men play in shaping the women they encounter.
The opening verse tells us that the woman in question is seen by her male partner as a mere toy or object, nothing more than a plaything that can be manipulated and discarded as the man sees fit. The lyrics suggest that she is subject to abuse, both physical and emotional, and that she is repeatedly abandoned by her partner. The chorus reminds us that there is more to this woman than meets the eye, and that we must look beyond her exterior appearance to understand her true worth.
The second verse tells us that the woman is hiding her true emotions and pain behind a facade of clowning around and putting on a happy face for her partner. She is desperate for his approval and validation, but this comes at a cost to her own sense of self-worth. The bridge of the song calls out men who pay for the services of sex workers and then blame those women for their own choices, rather than acknowledging their own complicity in a system that devalues and objectifies women. The final chorus reinforces the message of the song that we must see beyond appearances and acknowledge the humanity of all individuals, regardless of their gender or circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
You pull the string
You have complete control over her
She's your plaything
She is merely an object of your amusement
You can make her or break her, it's true
Her fate is in your hands, you can either ruin or uplift her
You abuse her, accuse her
You mistreat and blame her for everything
Turn her round and use her
You take advantage of her and manipulate her
Then forsake her any time it suits you
You abandon her whenever it benefits you
There's more to her than powder and paint
She is more than just her physical appearance
Than her peroxided bleached-out hair
Her dyed hair is not a true representation of who she is
And if she acts that way
If she behaves in a certain manner
It's 'cause you've had your day
It's because you've had your share of influence over her
Don't put her down, you helped put her there
Do not degrade her, you played a role in her current state
She hangs around
She lingers in your presence
Playing her clown
Putting on a facade to make you happy
While her soul is aching inside
Meanwhile, she is hurting deeply on the inside
She's heartbreak's child
She is a product of past heartbreaks and struggles
She just lives for your smile
She finds joy in pleasing you
To build her up in a world made by man
To gain validation and acceptance in a world dominated by men
At the house down the way
At the nearby house
You sneak and you pay
You secretly visit and pay her for her services
For her love, her body or her shame
For her affection, her physical body, or to exploit her shame
Then you call yourself a man
You believe yourself to be a real man
And say you just don't understand
Pretending to be ignorant of her situation
How a woman could turn out that way
How a woman could become so degraded
The men she picks up at the bar
The men she meets at the bar
And if she acts that way
Again, if she behaves in a particular manner
It's 'cause you've had your day
It's because you've influenced her in some way
Don't put her down, you helped put her there
Do not disparage her, you played a significant part in her current state
And if she acts that way
Once again, if she behaves in a certain manner
It's 'cause you've had your day
It's due to the influence you exerted over her
Don't put her down, you helped put her there
Do not degrade her, you were complicit in her circumstances
Contributed by Brody C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mistery-ed7900
This was on the album Hazel and Alice on Rounder Records.
@mickybowser1434
OH OH❤️VELVET BLU BO'NEE🌈