What About Mine?
Paul Westerberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mom and daddy let you cry
Thought that that was the best way maybe
To make you grow all strong inside
Now that you're older
You need someone's shoulder
What about mine?
For repairs for a long long time
You could feel the loneliness in your hairstyle
Just like mine
Now that you've grown up
You still need that shoulder
What the hell are you waiting' for?
It's mine
I promise not to chase you
Only to embrace you
I promise not to bug you
Only just to hug you all night
When you was a little baby
Mom and dad they let you cry
They thought that's the best way maybe
To make you all strong inside
(Were they) wrong? (Yes)
Mine, what about mine?
The lyrics of Paul Westerberg's song "What About Mine?" speak to the universal human need for love, connection, and support. The first verse suggests that the singer's caregiver, perhaps their parent, believed in the "cry it out" method of child-rearing, not realizing that their child still needed emotional support and comfort as they grew older. The second verse then speaks about the singer's own experience of feeling closed off and lonely for a long time, until they realize that they also need that same emotional support, just like everyone else. The repetition of the phrase "What about mine?" underscores this need, and the promise not to chase or bug the other person, but simply to give them the warm embrace they need, is a powerful expression of vulnerability and connection.
Overall, "What About Mine?" is a poignant song about the importance of emotional support, and how we all need it, no matter our age or stage in life. It speaks to the universal human experience of feeling lonely and disconnected at times, and the longing we all have for someone to just be there for us when we need it.
Line by Line Meaning
When you cried as a little baby
Reflecting on childhood and how emotions were handled
Mom and daddy let you cry
Parents believed crying would strengthen child
Thought that that was the best way maybe
Parents believed in their approach for child-rearing
To make you grow all strong inside
Parents believed a resilient child was key
Now that you're older
Acknowledging the passage of time
You need someone's shoulder
Recognizing the desire for emotional support
What about mine?
Expressing a willingness to offer that support
Growing' up your mind was closed
Describing past emotional state
For repairs for a long long time
Suggesting emotional damage that needed fixing
You could feel the loneliness in your hairstyle
Connecting one's hairstyle to emotional well-being
Just like mine
Expressing relatability
Now that you've grown up
Noting current state
You still need that shoulder
Recognizing ongoing need for emotional support
What the hell are you waiting' for?
Emphasizing confusion around why support isn't sought
It's mine
Asserting availability for emotional support
I promise not to chase you
Offering reassurance to potential recipient of support
Only to embrace you
Clarifying the form of support that will be offered
I promise not to bug you
Not wanting to be a burden on recipient of support
Only just to hug you all night
Offering physical comfort as well as emotional support
When you was a little baby
Bringing the song full circle to childhood
Mom and dad they let you cry
Repeating the sentiment from earlier
They thought that's the best way maybe
Reiterating the rationale of the parents
To make you all strong inside
Reiterating the desired outcome
(Were they) wrong? (Yes)
Questioning and answering the effectiveness of parental approach
Mine, what about mine?
Repeating the willingness to provide emotional support
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL WESTERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
apolonio0907
This is the greatest album ever among those of us who really know. It refers to parents who passed as his dad did at the time.I heard the Jim Rome interview(on you tube)Also in general about family and of course my daughter was 7 when I was playing "Folker"and now this song is one I knew was timeless and now she's 14! The whole album is his best work! I hope Westerberg reads this because I insulted him at the 930 club for not bringing a band on that 2002 tour! So there is your comment!
Canned Poo
Great work Paul.
KellyGreen5555
Grand.
wovokanarchy
...and one wonders why only 2 people commented on this song so lame it's not even worthy of a yawn.