What's In It For Me?
Robert Ellis and The Boys Lyrics
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You tell me just how bad my clothes stink
Ask me how much I've had to drink
What's in it for me, I wish we didn't have to argue
I wish you'd just say how I love you
Then I'd know what's in it for me
Oh, how I loved you
Now all the games I'm loosing
At a time I was winning
Time has passed and things are not what they used to be
Sometimes it gets so hard to see
What's in it for me?
What's in it for me?
It seems that you know other women can't decide
All the reasons you love us, become the things you despise
I've tried and tried so hard but it seems
That I just can't win
Oh, baby tell me once again
What's in it for me?
What's in it for me, you just be mad 'cause I came home late
You tell me just how bad my clothes stink
Ask me how much I've had to drink
What's in it for me, I wish we didn't have to argue
I wish you'd just say I love you
Then I'd know what's in it for me
The song "What's in it for me?" by Robert Ellis tells the story of a struggling relationship where the man is trying his best to keep the flame alive, but his partner is always complaining about his actions regardless of the intention. He wishes his partner would show him more love and appreciation instead of always nagging him about his habits. The line "All the games I'm losing at a time I was winning" implies that they started off strong but eventually lost their way. The singer's frustration is evident in the line, "I've tried and tried so hard but it seems, that I just can't win".
The chorus asks the question, "What's in it for me?" This can be interpreted in different ways. The singer could be asking what he is getting out of staying in this relationship, or he could be asking what he needs to do to make things work. Either way, he feels that he is putting in a lot of effort, but not getting the desired response from his partner. He wishes to hear the words "I love you" more often to reassure him of their love and commitment to each other.
The song's emotional depth and vulnerability make it relatable to many listeners who have experienced the hardships of a relationship. It communicates the importance of communication and appreciation in maintaining a healthy relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
What's in it for me, you just be mad 'cause I came home late
I feel like you're constantly angry with me about every mistake that I make, even small ones like coming home late
You tell me just how bad my clothes stink
You always find something negative to say, even about how I smell
Ask me how much I've had to drink
You don't trust me and are always interrogating me about everything I do, including how much I've had to drink
What's in it for me, I wish we didn't have to argue
I don't want to argue with you anymore and wish we could just get along
I wish you'd just say how I love you
If you were more affectionate and told me you loved me more often, I would feel more appreciated and loved
Then I'd know what's in it for me
If you showed me more love and appreciation, I would understand what our relationship means to you and how we can make it work
It seems that you know other women can't decide
You seem to think that other women are interested in me and can't decide whether they want to be with me
All the reasons you love us, become the things you despise
The qualities that you once loved about me now seem to be the things that you hate and criticize the most
I've tried and tried so hard but it seems
I've put in so much effort to make our relationship work, but it doesn't seem to be enough
That I just can't win
No matter what I do or how hard I try, I always seem to fall short in your eyes
Oh, baby tell me once again
I need you to reassure me and remind me why we're together
What's in it for me?
I need to understand what I'm getting out of this relationship and why it's worth staying in
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ROBERT ELLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind