Dyslexic Heart
Paul Westerberg Lyrics


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You shoot me glances and they're so hard to read
I misconstrue what you mean
Slip me a napkin and now that's a start
Is this your name or a doctor's eye chart?

I try and comprehend you but I got a dyslexic heart
I ain't dying to offend you, I got a dyslexic heart
Thanks for the book, now my table is ready
Is this a library or bar?
Between the covers I thought you were ready
A half-angel, half-tart

I try and comprehend you but I got a dyslexic heart
I ain't dying to offend you, I got a dyslexic heart

Do I read you correctly, you need me directly
Help me with this part
Do I date you? Do I hate you?
Do I got a dyslexic heart?

You keep swayin', what are you sayin'?
Thinking 'bout stayin'?
Or are you just playing, making passes?
Well, my heart could use some glasses

Are you stayin'?
What are you sayin'?
Well are you swayin'?
Are you just playing, making passes?
Well, my heart could use some glasses

I try and comprehend you, I got a dyslexic heart
Do I read you correctly, I need you directly
Help me with this part




Do I love you? Do I hate you?
I got a dyslexic heart?

Overall Meaning

The song Dyslexic Heart by Paul Westerberg is a tale about a person who is struggling to understand and communicate with their romantic interest. The song's lyrics describe the difficulty and confusion faced in interpreting the signals and emotions of someone they care about deeply. The use of the term Dyslexic Heart in the song refers to the chaotic and mixed-up thoughts that arise in the singer's mind as they attempt to decipher what their love interest is attempting to convey. Even small gestures like a glance or a napkin seem impossible to interpret, exacerbating their sense of isolation and confusion.


Despite their confusion, the singer repeatedly proclaims that they are not trying to offend the person they are interested in. They are not trying to play games with their heart, but they just have a "dyslexic heart". This is a term that Westerberg coined that refers to the singer's heart being easily misunderstood, much like dyslexia causes people to misunderstand written language.


Overall, Dyslexic Heart is a poignant song about the complexity of relationships, the frustration of miscommunication, and the struggle to interpret people's emotions and signals accurately.


Line by Line Meaning

You shoot me glances and they're so hard to read
I have difficulty understanding the signals you're sending me


I misconstrue what you mean
I misinterpret your intentions


Slip me a napkin and now that's a start
Passing me a napkin is a small gesture that could lead to more


Is this your name or a doctor's eye chart?
Your handwriting is difficult to read, like a medical chart


I try and comprehend you but I got a dyslexic heart
I do my best to understand you, but my heart and mind don't always work together


I ain't dying to offend you, I got a dyslexic heart
I don't want to hurt you, it's just hard for me to express myself


Thanks for the book, now my table is ready
Your gift of a book was appreciated, though it may not have been my first choice


Is this a library or bar?
I'm unsure of the setting we're in


Between the covers I thought you were ready
From reading the book, I believed you were open to a relationship


A half-angel, half-tart
You're a mix of good and bad qualities


Do I read you correctly, you need me directly
Am I understanding your feelings accurately, or do you need me to be more direct?


Help me with this part
I need your guidance to figure out where we stand


Do I date you? Do I hate you?
I'm conflicted about my feelings towards you


Do I got a dyslexic heart?
Is my lack of clarity due to a problem with myself, rather than you?


You keep swayin', what are you sayin'?
Your behavior is inconsistent, making it hard to understand your intentions


Thinking 'bout stayin'? Or are you just playing, making passes?
Are you seriously considering being with me, or just toying with my emotions?


Well, my heart could use some glasses
I need help seeing things clearly in matters of the heart


Are you stayin'? What are you sayin'?
Are you committing to me, or still keeping your options open?


I try and comprehend you, I got a dyslexic heart
I struggle to understand your true feelings


Do I love you? Do I hate you?
I'm still figuring out how I feel about you




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL WESTERBERG

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

@carysraymond5846

You shoot me glances and they're so hard to read
I misconstrue what you mean
Slip me a napkin and now that's a start
Is this your name or a doctor's eye chart?
I try and comprehend you but I got a dyslexic heart
I ain't dying to offend you, I got a dyslexic heart
Thanks for the book, now my table is ready
Is this a library or bar?
Between the covers I thought you were ready
A half-angel, half-tart
I try and comprehend you but I got a dyslexic heart
I ain't dying to offend you, I got a dyslexic heart
Do I read you correctly, you need me directly
Help me with this part
Do I date you? Do I hate you?
Do I got a dyslexic heart?
You keep swayin', what are you sayin'?
Thinking 'bout stayin'?
Or are you just playing, making passes?
Well, my heart could use some glasses
Are you stayin'?
What are you sayin'?
Well are you swayin'?
Are you just playing, making passes?
Well, my heart could use some glasses
I try and comprehend you, I got a dyslexic heart
Do I read you correctly, I need you directly
Help me with this part
Do I love you? Do I hate you?
I got a dyslexic heart?



All comments from YouTube:

@scottbrown6305

My wife and I spent two weeks trying to remember the name of this song. We tried every three syllable word we could think of until “dyslexic “ finally occurred to her. Love this tune.

@WrathofArminius

From the movie Singles.

@PsyphaX09

I spent years looking for this song. 😂

@aliceitty

Good ear. I had the nah nah nah nah part to go on.

@LeonLandgren-qt9pg

🎉

@stickwarlegacy8017

At 49yrs old still singing this gets me through the 90s

@laurentiupirvu2487

Me too, I am 48.… We were so young...😢

@shashsrivas

One of the finest singer-songwriters of all time. He had the rock aura all around him.

@jasonmuhsmann5670

This song is 30 years old now. Still rocks!

@Anotherroom

The greatest lyricist there is. Shame nobody knows who he is.

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