The song was released in 2019 as the tenth track on the Vault Tracks part 2 disc of a Deluxe edition of the 1999 album.
Teacher Teacher
Prince Lyrics
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I may not love you
But you're the teacher
I try to do what you want me to
I know you get lonely
But you gotta know
It wasn't love
Let me tell you honey
Don't think I know it enough
Teacher, teacher
I don't wanna get an A
Teacher, teacher
There's gotta be a better way
I'm sick and tired of makin' plans
Without makin' up my mind (Make up your mind)
Teacher, teacher
Can't you see I just need a little time
I know you've been cryin'
Just think that you're not alone
Just cry me a river
It's what you'll deliver
We have to do it on the floor
Teacher, teacher
I don't wanna get an A
Teacher, teacher
There's gotta be a better way
(Woohoo, yeah)
Teacher, teacher
I've been tryin' to get you down
But why should you get used to somebody
Who won't be around
I know you get discouraged
Cause you wanna do it all the time
Honey I can't let you use my body
The same way you use my mind
Teacher, teacher
I don't wanna get an A
Teacher, teacher
There's gotta be a better way
[repeats to end]
In Prince's song "Teacher Teacher," the lyrics follow the perspective of a student speaking to her teacher. The student acknowledges the teacher's loneliness but also makes it clear that there is no romantic love between them. She speaks of wanting to make her own decisions, but also needing time to do so. The student is portrayed as a young girl who is not yet fully aware of her own knowledge and abilities. The song is ultimately about the power dynamics between teacher and student, and the complexities of relationships that develop within those dynamics.
The song was released in 1986 on the album "Dream Factory," which was eventually shelved and reworked into another album called "Sign o' the Times." "Teacher Teacher" was one of the songs from "Dream Factory" that made it onto "Sign o' the Times."
Line by Line Meaning
Teacher, teacher
Addressing the teacher
I may not love you
I don't have romantic feelings for you
But you're the teacher
I respect you as my teacher
I try to do what you want me to
I make an effort to follow your instructions
I know you get lonely
I understand that you feel lonely sometimes
But you gotta know
You need to understand
It wasn't love
Our relationship is not based on love
Let me tell you honey
I want to explain
I'm just a young girl
I am inexperienced
Don't think I know it enough
I acknowledge that I have a lot to learn
I don't wanna get an A
I'm not just interested in getting good grades
There's gotta be a better way
There must be another approach
I'm sick and tired of makin' plans
I am exhausted from making plans
Without makin' up my mind (Make up your mind)
I can't make a decision
Can't you see I just need a little time
I need some time to figure things out
I know you've been cryin'
I'm aware you've been upset
Just think that you're not alone
Remember that you have support
Just cry me a river
Let it all out
It's what you'll deliver
Releasing emotions will help you
We have to do it on the floor
We must take action
I've been tryin' to get you down
I have tried to calm you down
But why should you get used to somebody
Why should you depend on someone
Who won't be around
Who won't be there for you
I know you get discouraged
I understand that you feel disheartened
Cause you wanna do it all the time
Because you like to be in control
Honey I can't let you use my body
I am not willing to have a physical relationship with you
The same way you use my mind
The way you manipulate me mentally
Teacher, teacher
Addressing the teacher
I don't wanna get an A
I'm not just interested in getting good grades
Teacher, teacher
Addressing the teacher
There's gotta be a better way
There must be another approach
Contributed by Zoe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.