True to you
Ric Ocasek Lyrics


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Well, you look just like a stranger
And they're keeping you down
But still you're feeling the ties
Slipping and a sliding
Through the lost and found
In your Egyptian disguise

Oh, what a thrill it is to see you
But I forgot your name
Oh, oh, what do you say
Can't live over yesterday
I carry you in my heart
And sometimes the memory smarts, yeah

(True to you)
I'm true to you
If you really think you want my love
I'm true to you
(True to you)
I'm true to you

Well, you never really wanted
What you already had
But still what do you got
Every little feeling
That you tend to bend
You keep it held in a slot, yeah
What a thrill it is to see you
But I forgot your name

Oh, oh, it's alright
You never wanna feel contrite
I carry you in my heart
But sometimes, honey, the memory smarts, yeah

(True to you)
I'm true to you
If you really think you want my love
I'm true to you
(True to you)
I'm true to you

Oh, oh, what can you say
Can't live over yesterday
I carry you in my heart
But sometimes, darling, the memory smarts, yeah

(True to you)
Oh, I'm true to you
If you really think you want my love
I'm true to you
(True to you)
I'm true to you

I'm true to you
(True to you)
If you really think you want my love
I'm true to you
(True to you)
It's only you I'm thinking of

I'm true to you
(True to you)
If you really think you want my love
I'm true to you
(True to you)
It's only you I'm thinking of

I'm true to you
I'm true to you
(True to you)
(True to you)
I'm true to you
(True to you)




I'm true to you
(True to you)

Overall Meaning

The song "True to You" by Ric Ocasek is about being loyal to someone even when they are no longer the person you once knew. The opening lines, "Well, you look just like a stranger, and they're keeping you down, but still you're feeling the ties slipping and a sliding," suggest that the person the song is addressing has changed and is being held back from their true identity. Meanwhile, the singer of the song is still holding onto their feelings for this person even though they are unrecognizable.


The chorus, "I'm true to you, if you really think you want my love," reinforces the idea that the singer is willing to stick by this person through thick and thin, as long as they truly want their love. The lines "But sometimes the memory smarts, yeah" and "I carry you in my heart, but sometimes, honey, the memory smarts, yeah" suggest that the singer is struggling with the fact that the person they love has changed, and perhaps even developed new relationships, but they still hold onto their memories of them.


Overall, "True to You" is a heartfelt song about loyalty and sticking by someone through anything. It acknowledges that people change, but that our emotions and memories can hold onto the people we once knew.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, you look just like a stranger
You seem unfamiliar and distant


And they're keeping you down
Outside forces are holding you back


But still you're feeling the ties
Despite this, you remain connected to something


Slipping and a sliding
Struggling and losing control


Through the lost and found
Navigating life's ups and downs


In your Egyptian disguise
Masking your true self


I carry you in my heart
You hold a special place in my life


And sometimes the memory smarts, yeah
I am reminded of past pain or hurt


(True to you)
I am devoted to you


If you really think you want my love
If you are willing to accept my devotion


Well, you never really wanted
You were never satisfied with what you had


What you already had
Your current situation or possessions


But still what do you got
Despite this, you have very little


Every little feeling
All of your emotions


That you tend to bend
That you often suppress or deny


You keep it held in a slot, yeah
You keep it locked inside


Oh, oh, it's alright
It's okay


You never wanna feel contrite
You don't want to feel remorseful


Oh, oh, what can you say
What is there to do?


It's only you I'm thinking of
You are the only one on my mind




Contributed by Lauren V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@robertsleeth861

RIP Ric. The Cars are my favorite band, have loved them since the '80s. This Side of Paradise is one of my favorite albums.

@JohnSmith-vs4uh

I totally agree!!!

@KIKINITCHITA

Moi aussi!

@bigguy418

One of Ric's best songs !!. I could listen to this song forever and not get tired of it. Glad to see him and the guys back together. True talent that makes the world a better place because of their "Music". R.I.P. Ben.

@Sol_Cabbie

Ric fue un poeta musical, como lo es Simon Le Bon. Ambos tienen estilo, además de ser iconos del new wave.
Q.E.P.D. Ric Ocasek, un símbolo de la música de los '80.

@burlingtonbill1

Superb song by a true musical genius !

@renovacionxxiadministracio5902

Descansa en paz querido amigo. Muchos te recordaremos con afecto y gran devoción.

@tc699

Could Ric Ocasek make a bad song? No. This is yet more evidence of his abilities. We miss you, Ric!

@elaineewalt8137

This song has always had a sort of haunting quality about it. Only from the 80's... R.I.P. Rick. 👍💗🎶🎼🎤

@redskies4530

Hi I Recommend an indie rock Song Called 'Looking into the mirror' by Robert Nix

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