Tell Me Why
Sgt. Pepper Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

They come from every state to find
Some dreams were meant to be declined
Tell the man what did you have in mind
What have you come to do?

No turning water into wine
No learning while you're in the line
I'll take you to the broken sign
You see these lights are blue

Come and get it
Lost it at the city limit
Say goodbye
'Cause they will find a way to trim it
Everybody
Lookin' for a silly gimmick
Gotta get away
Can't take it for another minute

This town is made of many things
Just look at what the current brings
So high, it's only promising
This place was made on you

Tell me, baby, what's your story
Where you come from
And where you wanna go this time?
Tell me, lover, are you lonely?
The thing we need is
Never all that hard to find
Tell me, baby, what's your story
Where do you come from
And where you wanna go this time?
You're so lovely, are you lonely?
Giving up on the innocence you left behind

Some claim to have the fortitude
Too shrewd to blow the interlude
Sustaining pain to set a mood
Step out to be renewed

I'll move you like a baritone
Jungle brothers on the microphone
Getting over with an undertone
It's time to turn to stone

Chitty chitty, baby
When your nose is in the nitty gritty
Life could be a little sweet
But life could be a little shitty
What a pity
Boston and a Kansas city
Looking for a hundred
But you only ever found a fitty

Three fingers in the honeycomb
You ring just like a xylophone
Devoted to the chromosome
The day that you left home

Tell me, baby, what's your story
Where you come from
And where you wanna go this time?
Tell me, lover, are you lonely?
The thing we need is
Never all that hard to find
Tell me, baby, what's your story
Where you come from
And where you wanna go this time?
You're so lovely, are you lonely?
Giving up on the innocence you left behind

Tell me, baby, what's your story
Where you come from
And where you wanna go this time?
Tell me, lover, are you lonely?
The thing we need is
Never all that hard to find
Tell me, baby, what's your story
Where you come from
And where you wanna go this time?




You're so lovely, are you lonely?
Giving up on the innocence you left behind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sgt. Pepper's song "Tell Me Why" reflect on the struggles and aspirations of people who come to a city with big dreams, but eventually find themselves disillusioned by the reality of life. The first verse highlights the disappointment that many find when they come to a city seeking success. The dreams they had for themselves are often unattainable, and they find themselves struggling to survive. The chorus expresses the frustration that builds up in those who feel trapped and unseen, searching for something to hold onto. The second verse observes how some individuals try to distinguish themselves to make it in the city, but this proves difficult as they face many obstacles. The lyrics express that even with their strenuous efforts, they still eventually have to deal with the harsh realities of city life.


The song is a reflection of the human experience in a modern, urban environment. The lyrics are very personal and expose the alienation and frustration people face when trying to fit into a complex, fast-paced world. The songwriters understand how people yearn for connection and purpose in life, but the emptiness they feel from their chosen paths leaves them feeling lost and misunderstood. The lyrics are an invitation to open up and share one's story, and to find compassion and understanding.


Line by Line Meaning

They come from every state to find
People come from all over the country to find something they are looking for.


Some dreams were meant to be declined
Not all aspirations can be attained or fulfilled.


Tell the man what did you have in mind
Explain your intentions to the person in charge of your situation.


What have you come to do?
What is the reason for your visit or presence?


No turning water into wine
You cannot perform miracles or change the impossible.


No learning while you're in the line
You cannot learn anything while you are waiting for something else to happen.


I'll take you to the broken sign
I will lead you to a place where things aren't working or are in disrepair.


You see these lights are blue
These lights are not red or green, but they are blue.


Come and get it
What you are looking for is available.


Lost it at the city limit
You have lost something before even entering the city.


Say goodbye
Bid farewell to something, it is time to leave.


'Cause they will find a way to trim it
Other people will always find a way to shorten, reduce or minimize what you have created.


Everybody
Every person is involved.


Lookin' for a silly gimmick
People are searching for something unique or novel, but it may not be actually useful or valuable.


Gotta get away
The need to escape or leave a certain situation is urgent.


Can't take it for another minute
Enduring the current situation is not possible anymore.


This town is made of many things
The town is composed of diverse elements or factors.


Just look at what the current brings
Observe what the prevailing trends, events or circumstances have caused or influenced.


So high, it's only promising
The situation seems bright or positive, but it may not be completely reliable or guaranteed.


This place was made on you
This location or environment seems to be particularly suited or adjusted to your characteristics or personality.


Tell me, baby, what's your story
Share with me the details of your past, present and future experiences.


Where you come from
What is your place of origin?


And where you wanna go this time?
What is your destination or goal for this current period?


Tell me, lover, are you lonely?
Are you experiencing a lack of connection or intimacy with others?


The thing we need is
What we require is necessary or essential.


Never all that hard to find
It shouldn't be too challenging to obtain or locate what is needed.


Giving up on the innocence you left behind
Abandoning the pure or naive qualities of the past.


Some claim to have the fortitude
Some individuals affirm that they possess the courage and strength to endure hardship.


Too shrewd to blow the interlude
Too clever or cunning to waste time or opportunities in transitional periods.


Sustaining pain to set a mood
Enduring discomfort or suffering in order to express or evoke a certain emotional state.


Step out to be renewed
Choosing to leave behind the old or tired and embrace something new or fresh.


I'll move you like a baritone
I will inspire, convince or touch you deeply, like the low and rich voice of a baritone.


Jungle brothers on the microphone
Referring to a musical group or artist who specialize in hip hop or rap music.


Getting over with an undertone
Finishing something with a subtle or hidden meaning or implication.


It's time to turn to stone
It's time to become immovable, resistant or indifferent.


Chitty chitty, baby
A playful, popular or meaningless phrase used to catch attention or establish mood.


When your nose is in the nitty gritty
When you are dealing with the mundane or dirty details of life.


Life could be a little sweet
Life can be pleasant, enjoyable or desirable.


But life could be a little shitty
Life can also be unpleasant, difficult or undesirable.


What a pity
What a shame or disappointment.


Boston and a Kansas city
Naming two specific geographic locations, possibly unrelated or metaphorical.


Looking for a hundred
Searching for a large quantity or amount.


But you only ever found a fitty
But you only ever found a small fraction or insignificant portion of what you expected or wanted.


Three fingers in the honeycomb
Dipping three fingers into a container filled with honey, possibly alluding to pleasure, indulgence or temptation.


You ring just like a xylophone
You make musical sounds or vibrations similar to those of a xylophone instrument.


Devoted to the chromosome
Committed or loyal to the genetic code or inherited traits.


The day that you left home
The moment or event when you departed from your place of origin or family.




Lyrics © MoeBeToBlame, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Michael Balzary, John Anthony Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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