The song was based on an earlier Springfield song titled "Spanish Eyes", and released on the Sound City recordings from 1978. The song lyrics were changed and were written to Springfield's then-girlfriend Barbara Porter (later his wife), whom he was worried was involved with other people while they were apart. Springfield recalled, "Back then, I was scared that she was screwing around because I was doing the same thing."
Don't Talk to Strangers
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How come you never learned the golden rule
Don't talk to strange men, don't be a fool
I'm hearing stories, I don't think that's cool
Why don't you tell me, someone is loving you
'Cause you're my girl, some say it's no longer true
You're seeing some slick continental dude
Don't talk to strangers, baby don't you talk
Don't talk to strangers, you know he'll only use you up
Don't talk, don't talk, don't talk,
Don't talk, don't talk to him
Nobody, talk, nobody, ever told you, don't talk
Now tell me, how's life in the big city
I hear the competition's tough, baby that's a pity
And every man's an actor, every girl is pretty
I don't like what's getting back to me
Now who's this, don juan I've been hearing of
Love hurts when only one's in love
Did you fall at first sight or did you need a shove
I'm begging you, please
Don't talk to strangers, baby don't you talk
Don't talk to strangers, you know he'll only use you up
Don't talk, don't talk, don't talk,
Don't talk, don't talk to him
Nobody, talk, nobody ever told you, don't talk
Fais l'amour avec moi
What's he saying baby
Viens dormir, mon amour (come to sleep my love)
I asked you not to talk to him
Je t'aime donne moi ton coeur ce soir (I like you to give me your heart this night)
I'm begging you
Don't talk to strangers, baby don't you talk
Don't talk to strangers, you know he'll only use you up
Don't talk, don't talk, don't talk,
Don't talk, don't talk to him
Nobody, talk, nobody ever told you, don't talk
Don't talk to strangers, baby don't you talk
Don't talk to strangers, you know he'll only use you up
Don't talk to strangers, baby don't you,
Baby don't you talk,
Don't talk to strangers
The lyrics to Rick Springfield's song "Don't Talk to Strangers" depict a concerned lover who is trying to warn his significant other about the dangers of talking to strange men. He questions why she never learned the "golden rule" even when she was in school. He expresses his concern that she might be seeing "some slick continental dude" and begs her not to talk to strangers because they will use her up.
The second verse takes a slightly different tone, as the singer asks his lover how life is in the big city and expresses sympathy for the tough competition. He then hears about a Don Juan who has caught his lover's attention and wonders if she fell for him at first sight, or if she was pushed towards him. He again pleads with her to not talk to strangers, as he doesn't like what he's hearing.
Overall, the song highlights the importance of being cautious when talking to strangers. It also showcases the singer's love, concern, and protectiveness towards his lover.
Line by Line Meaning
When you were just a young girl and still in school
During your early life when you were still a child and studying
How come you never learned the golden rule
Why didn't you learn the important rule that everyone should know?
Don't talk to strange men, don't be a fool
Never speak to unfamiliar men, don't do anything foolish.
I'm hearing stories, I don't think that's cool
I'm listening to rumors, and I don't believe that's good.
Why don't you tell me, someone is loving you
Why won't you confess that you are being courted?
'Cause you're my girl, some say it's no longer true
Because you're my significant other, but some people are claiming you are not anymore.
You're seeing some slick continental dude
You're dating a suave person from overseas.
I'm begging you, please
I'm requesting earnestly from you,
Don't talk to strangers, baby don't you talk
Do not communicate with strangers, sweetheart, do not converse.
Don't talk to strangers, you know he'll only use you up
Keep clear of strangers, you understand he'll extract everything he can from you.
Now tell me, how's life in the big city
Now tell me how life is in the famous city.
I hear the competition's tough, baby that's a pity
I read online about how difficult the competition is, sweetheart that's a shame.
And every man's an actor, every girl is pretty
Every man acts differently, and every girl looks attractive.
I don't like what's getting back to me
I don't appreciate the buzz reaching my ears.
Now who's this don juan I've been hearing of
Who is this famous flirt I have heard about?
Love hurts when only one's in love
It is painful to be the only one in love.
Did you fall at first sight or did you need a shove
Did you fall in love at first glance or did you need a push?
Je t'aime donne moi ton coeur ce soir
I like you to give me your heart this night.
I'm begging you
I'm earnestly requesting that you.
Don't talk to strangers, baby don't you talk
Don't engage in conversations with strangers, dear don't talk.
Nobody, talk, nobody ever told you, don't talk
No one ever instructed you to avoid communicating with others.
Don't talk to strangers, baby don't you talk
Do not speak to strangers, darling, do not talk.
Don't talk to strangers, you know he'll only use you up
Avoid communicating with strange people because they will deceive and exploit you.
Don't talk to strangers, baby don't you
Keep away from talking to strangers, sweetheart don't do it.
Baby don't you talk
Please don't communicate, darling.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICK SPRINGFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Anglynn74
i miss the old MTV when they played these videos non stop all day.......I'm so old
@eddierayvanlynch6133
Nope.
Noope.
Noooope.
You're the right age.
😉
@dannyle2897
Grew up on this as well. Also, remember when it was back and forth videos from MTV and VH1? Yup, we're old!
@Samlol23_drrich
@@dannyle2897 remember "singled out"?
@jennyyy78
🤗🤗
@loriwishman1866
Me, too.
@glenrosarian2352
This was a huge hit in 1982. And it still is.
@myracrosby1186
Rick was the heartthrob of millions of girls and women in the 80's!
@ricj7517
and men 😁
@corinnechevreux9304
So true !