Tell Me
Norah Jones Lyrics


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Will you tell me
That you need me?
Am I afraid to not need you?
Will you tell me
That you're sorry?
Do I have to forgive too?

Can I go out by myself
And be a lady all the time
If I don't know that I love you so?
Can I not just let you down?

Can I be strong
And still belong?
If I'm not long
I'll sing my own song

As we travel through the ages
Will you just leave me alone?
Time will tell in different stages
If I will or won't be home

So don't call me on Friday morning
And expect me to be free
If you think that we fit together
Put your faith in destiny

Can I be strong
And still belong?
If I'm not long
I'll sing my own song

Can I be strong
And still belong?
If I'm not long
I'll sing my own song

If you want to
Go ahead and lay right down beside me
If you want it too
Just tell me all the things you want to see

Can I be strong
And still belong?
If I'm not long
I'll sing my own song

Can I be strong
And still belong?




If I'm not long
I'll sing my own song

Overall Meaning

In Norah Jones’s song "Tell Me," she grapples with the balance between independence and vulnerability in a relationship. She poses a series of questions to her partner, asking if she can be her own person, go out alone, and be strong while still maintaining a sense of belonging in the relationship. Jones questions whether or not being in a union means giving up parts of herself, and seems to fear being hurt or left alone. However, she also leaves room for reconciliation, saying, “If you want to, go ahead and lay right down beside me.”


The song touches on themes of trust and communication, suggesting that a strong relationship requires both partners to be honest and open with one another. Jones seems to be seeking reassurance from her partner, wanting to know that they need her as much as she needs them. Overall, the song is a contemplative exploration of the complex emotions and challenges that arise in intimate relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Will you tell me
Do you love me enough to express your feelings?


That you need me?
Am I important enough for you to require my presence?


Am I afraid to not need you?
Do I worry about what happens when my need for you changes?


Will you tell me
Do you regret your actions?


That you're sorry?
Do I have to forgive you even if you don't apologize?


Can I go out by myself
Can I be independent and self-sufficient?


And be a lady all the time
Can I be feminine and powerful at the same time?


If I don't know that I love you so?
Can I still love myself even if I'm unsure about you?


Can I not just let you down?
Do I have to be responsible for your emotions?


Can I be strong
Is it possible for me to be assertive and confident?


And still belong?
Can I still fit in and be accepted?


If I'm not long
If I don't conform to societal expectations of femininity?


I'll sing my own song
I'll be true to myself and follow my own path


As we travel through the ages
As time passes and we grow older


Will you just leave me alone?
Will you let me be independent and make my own choices?


Time will tell in different stages
Only time can reveal what the future holds


If I will or won't be home
If I will or won't be where you want me to be


So don't call me on Friday morning
Don't expect me to be available on your schedule


And expect me to be free
And assume that I have no other commitments or priorities


If you think that we fit together
If you believe we're compatible


Put your faith in destiny
Trust that fate will lead us where we're meant to be


If you want to
If you feel the desire to


Go ahead and lay right down beside me
Get close and intimate with me


If you want it too
If it's what you truly desire


Just tell me all the things you want to see
Communicate your desires and expectations to me




Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Fintage House Publishing
Written by: Ilhan Ersahin, Norah Jones, Charles Stella, Daniel Adam Wyatt

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Laurylie Polito

"Tell Me Why"

Sailing heart-ships
thru broken harbors
Out on the waves in the night
Still the searcher
must ride the dark horse
Racing alone in his fright.
Tell me why, tell me why

Is it hard to make
arrangements with yourself,
When you're old enough to repay
but young enough to sell?

Tell me lies later,
come and see me
I'll be around for a while.
I am lonely but you can free me
All in the way that you smile
Tell me why, tell me why

Is it hard to make
arrangements with yourself,
When you're old enough to repay
but young enough to sell?

Tell me why, tell me why
Tell me why, tell me why



All comments from YouTube:

Bobby hanly

Norah is pure perfection here. The hair, those eyes, that dress, the voice, the song, the guitar and of course, the contrast with the American beside her

Ken Dishman

Nora's voice is so comforting to me. Like the warmest blanket for a cold lonesome soul.

Elviranna Aceto

your words are beautiful! i agree! :)

Ken Dishman

+Elviranna Aceto ..thank you. :) Glad you appreciate beautiful music as well, and everyone could always use a good blanket ;)

Elviranna Aceto

😊

Stevos Channel

Wonderfully stated.

Subie Gate

What an incredibly well done cover. I've always loved Neil Young and this is one of his very best songs. Simply Amazing!!!

Michael Friese

Beautiful tribute, Norah... your music gives me chills. This is quite possibly my all time favorite Neil Young tune and I think she nailed it. Her musical accomplice for this performance is Sasha Dobson, Norah's bandmate in Puss n Boots- one of Norah's musical endeavors.

richie young

these two fine young ladys are like singing angels! they definitley do great justice to a great neil young song..

Jae Hill

My respect for Norah Jones just spiked times infinity. What an elegant tribute.

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