Sarah Joyce – stage name Rumer – has come a long way since winning the scho… Read Full Bio ↴Sarah Joyce – stage name Rumer – has come a long way since winning the school’s talent show back in 1994. In 2010 She released her debut single Slow and saw it named single of the week on Radio 2.

According to the Slow Songfacts, Sarah spent the early years of her life in Pakistan,having been born in Islamabad on 3rd June 1979, where her father was the chief-engineer of the enormous Tarbela Dam, 30 miles to the northwest of Islamabad. The youngest of seven children, living in an expat colony without TV or newspapers, Rumer and her family would often sing and write songs together. Her brother Rob gave Rumer her first guitar; which she taught herself to play, and on which, years later, she wrote all the songs on her debut album, Seasons of My Soul.

The singer/songwriter spent her teenage years in Carlisle at Newman School before leaving at 16 to pursue her ambition. It has been a hard slog but years later she is finally hitting the big time and gradually becoming a household name. She now hopes her success will inspire other young people to follow their dreams.

Having had her single listed ahead of its release on both Radio 2 and Magic FM, she is also preparing to support Jools Holland on his UK tour this autumn – the finale being a show at the Albert Hall.

She also has a celebrity fan in the form of easy listening legend Burt Bacharach, who invited her to sing for him when she visited California.

Be Nice to Me
Rumer Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

No catch, no strings
None of the usual things
I'm happy just to lay and look
Let's throw out the book
Now we're off the hook
And please just be nice to me
Won't you be nice to me
So tired, so sad

So sick of being had
By everyone who comes along
Would it be so wrong
If you played along
And please just be nice to me
And would it bring you down if I hang around
Just be nice to me
It's been a long, long time since I felt so fine
And I know your love is fine
I know what's on your mind but
Don't laugh, don't cry
Don't make me wonder why
You're doing what you're doing now
Can't you see somehow
It's the wrong time now
So please just be nice to me
You know I ain't in heat
And it would feel real neat

If you would just be nice to me
Come on think of me

Overall Meaning

In Rumer's song "Be Nice to Me," the lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and weariness from the singer who is exhausted from past experiences with relationships. The open-ended lyrics convey a sense of innocence as the singer is looking for someone to be kind to them without any strings attached. The lyrics begin by stating that there is no catch, and there are no usual things the singer expects from a romantic partner.

The singer is willing to let go of expectations and just be in the moment. The line, "Let's throw out the book, now we're off the hook" suggests that they are both freeing themselves from the expectations that come with traditional relationships. The singer's plea for kindness, "Please just be nice to me," is a simple request that encapsulates their desire for someone to treat them gently, without having any ulterior motives.

The lyrics suggest that the singer has had a tough time with relationships in the past, having been had by everyone who comes along. They long for someone who will just be present with them or "play along" without any hidden agendas. The singer expresses that their need for kindness wouldn't bring the other person down if they hung around. They are longing for a break from being laughed at, cried over, or left in the dark regarding their partner's motives. They are seeking kindness and understanding, without judgment or expectations.

Line by Line Meaning

No catch, no strings
There are no hidden agendas or ulterior motives in this situation.

None of the usual things
This is not a typical encounter or situation.

I'm happy just to lay and look
I'm content just to relax and enjoy the moment without any pressure to do anything else.

Let's throw out the book
Let's forget about the rules or expectations that usually apply and just do what feels right.

Now we're off the hook
We are free from any obligations or responsibilities related to each other.

And please just be nice to me
I am asking for kindness and respect in this interaction.

Won't you be nice to me
A plea for the other person to treat me with gentleness and courtesy.

So tired, so sad
I am exhausted and unhappy.

So sick of being had
I am tired of being used or taken advantage of.

By everyone who comes along
This has happened repeatedly with various people.

Would it be so wrong
Is it unreasonable to ask for basic kindness and compassion?

If you played along
If you were willing to be kind and considerate towards me.

And please just be nice to me
Reinforcing the earlier request for kindness and consideration.

And would it bring you down if I hang around
Would you mind if I stayed with you for a while longer?

Just be nice to me
The emphasis is on the other person showing kindness and respect.

It's been a long, long time since I felt so fine
I have not felt this good in a while, so please don't spoil it by being unkind.

And I know your love is fine
I am confident that your love and affection towards me are genuine.

I know what's on your mind but
I am aware that you may have other thoughts or plans, but I still hope for kindness.

Don't laugh, don't cry
Please do not react negatively or insensitively to me.

Don't make me wonder why
I do not want to question your behavior or intentions.

You're doing what you're doing now
The other person's actions are being observed and scrutinized.

Can't you see somehow
Is it possible for you to perceive how I am feeling and respond accordingly?

It's the wrong time now
This may not be the best moment for certain activities or behaviors.

So please just be nice to me
Reiterating the need for kindness and compassion in this interaction.

You know I ain't in heat
I am not solely motivated by physical desire or attraction.

And it would feel real neat
It would be really satisfying if you could show me kindness and respect.

If you would just be nice to me
The central request remains for the other person to treat me with basic human decency.

Come on think of me
Encouraging the other person to empathize and imagine themselves in my position.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TODD RUNDGREN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Tracy SH C

[Lyrics]
No catch, no strings
None of the usual things
I'm happy just to lay and look
Let's throw out the book
Now we're off the hook
And please
Be nice to me
Be nice to me

So tired, so sad
So sick of being had
By everyone who comes along
Would it be so wrong
If you played along
And please
Be nice to me
It's been a long, long time since I felt so fine
Be nice to me
And would it bring you down if I hang around

I know your love is fine
I know what's on your mind but
Don't laugh, don't cry
Don't make me wonder why
You're doing what you're doing now
Can't you see somehow
It's the wrong time now
So please
Be nice to me (Nice to me...)
Be nice to me
It's been a long, long time since I felt so fine
Be nice to me
It's been a long, long time since I felt so fine

Be nice to me
Be nice to me
La la la la la, no catch
La la la la la, no strings