I Didn't Mean to Turn You On
Robert Palmer Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I took you out
I knew what you were all about
But when I did
I didn't mean to turn you on

Now I bring you home
You told me goodnight's not enough for you
I'm sorry baby
I didn't mean to turn you on
No, I didn't mean to turn you on

You read me wrong
I wasn't trying to lead you on
Not like you think
I didn't mean to turn you on

I know you
Were expecting a one night stand
When I refused
I knew you wouldn't understand

I told you twice
I was only trying to be nice
Only trying to be nice
Ooh, I didn't mean to turn you on

Babe now why should I
Feel guilty 'cause I won't give
Guilty 'cause I won't give in
I didn't mean to turn you on
Ooh, I didn't mean to turn you on

When I took you out
Iknew what you were all about
But when I did
I didn't mean to turn you on
No, I didn't mean to turn you on





I didn't mean to turn you on....
I didn't mean to turn you on....

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Robert Palmer’s “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On” share the story of someone who has been misread by a woman he was interested in. When the singer takes this woman out, he knows what she’s looking for – he realizes it’s a one-night stand. However, he refuses her advances and takes her home without any expectations. The woman, however, is disappointed and tells him that goodnight was not enough for her. Later, she approaches him again, but he refuses once more, telling her that he was only trying to be nice.


The song's lyrics reveal how often people can misinterpret one another’s intentions. The singer didn’t mean to lead the woman on or make her believe something that wasn’t there. Instead, he was just showing her kindness and respect, and she misunderstood his actions. The song also touches upon expectations, assumptions, and communication, and how they can alter our perception of reality.


The overall theme of the lyrics is that we should never assume we know what someone else is thinking or expect something from them without clear communication. The song emphasizes mutual respect and communication in personal relationships and cautions against making assumptions.


Line by Line Meaning

When I took you out
At the time of our date, I understood your intentions


I knew what you were all about
I was aware that you wanted a physical relationship


But when I did
But when I took action


I didn't mean to turn you on
I didn't intend to arouse your interest


Now I bring you home
As we return to your place


You told me goodnight's not enough for you
You expressed that a simple goodbye isn't sufficient


I'm sorry baby
I apologize


No, I didn't mean to turn you on
No, I didn't plan to excite you


You read me wrong
You misunderstood my intentions


I wasn't trying to lead you on
I wasn't attempting to mislead you


Not like you think
Not in the way that you're imagining


I didn't mean to turn you on
I didn't intend to make you attracted to me


I know you
I understand your desires


Were expecting a one night stand
You anticipated a brief physical encounter


When I refused
When I declined


I knew you wouldn't understand
I was aware that you would react emotionally


I told you twice
I mentioned it on two occasions


I was only trying to be nice
I was simply attempting to be kind


Ooh, I didn't mean to turn you on
Ooh, I didn't aim to make you sexually attracted to me


Babe now why should I
Why should I feel the need to


Feel guilty 'cause I won't give
Experience remorse because I'm not going to provide


Guilty 'cause I won't give in
Remorseful because I'm not going to acquiesce


I didn't mean to turn you on
I had no intention of making you sexually interested in me


Ooh, I didn't mean to turn you on
Ooh, I didn't plan to arouse your interest


When I took you out
When I went on a date with you


I knew what you were all about
I understood your intentions


But when I did
But when I took action


I didn't mean to turn you on
I had no intention of sexually attracting you


No, I didn't mean to turn you on
No, I didn't plan on making you attracted to me


I didn't mean to turn you on....
I didn't intend to arouse your interest....


I didn't mean to turn you on....
I didn't plan to make you sexually interested....




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAMES HARRIS III, JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, TERRY LEWIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@a.p.guaschino

Nobody on this planet will ever be half as cool as Robert Palmer. Rest in peace legend.

@justacup8676

True this- he was one of the smoothest. RIP.

@mariafinn1082

Robert Palmer was indeed cool but Bryan Ferry is the coolest.

@gabriel5944

Bro I wish I was just a fraction of his smoothness he was suave

@xlxl9440

Yep mid to late 80's COOLIST MAN ON THE PLANET!!!

@fairdose

No joke, this guy is the James Bond of rock; British, sharp suits, smooth, suave, handsome, and surrounded by beautiful women.

@FCD844

Legit sounds like something Alan partridge would say…..and totally true. 😂

@V8AmericanMuscleCar

👍

@locomaniacsinc

Can't argue on that. Silkier than the finest fabric.

@KentKaliber

BEST DESCRIPTION OF ROBERT PALMER EVER!

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