Under My Thumb
Social Distortion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who once had me down
Under my thumb's the girl
Who once fucked me around
It's down to me
The way she does when she stole the truth out of me
Change has come, she's under my thumb
The squirmin' dog who's just had her day
Under my thumb's
A girl who has just changed her ways
It's down to me
The difference in the clothes she wears, down to me
Change has come, she's under my thumb
Under my thumb
It's a siamese
Cat of a girl
Under my thumb
Well, she's the sweetest
Pet in the world
It's down to me
The way she does as wash your soul out of me
Change has come, she's under my thumb
Under my thumb
Her eyes are just kept
To herself
Under my thumb
Well, I
I can still look at someone else
It's down to me
The way she comes when I tell here to laugh at me
Change has come, she's under my thumb
Yeah
Social Distortion's song "Under My Thumb" is an interesting take on relationships and power dynamics. The lyrics describe a girl who once had control over the singer but is now "under his thumb." He describes her as a "squirmin' dog who's just had her day" and a "siamese cat of a girl," implying that she is manipulative and has been tamed or subdued. The singer seems pleased with this newfound power, as he commands her to "laugh at me" and notes that he can still look at other girls even though she is under his control.
Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on toxic relationships and the idea that one person can have more power or control than the other. The singer seems to relish in his power over the girl, but it is unclear whether this is a healthy or desirable dynamic.
Line by Line Meaning
Under my thumb' the girl
The girl is now under my control and at my mercy.
Who once had me down
She had control over me before, but not anymore.
Under my thumb's the girl
I have power over her now.
Who once fucked me around
She mistreated and betrayed me before, but now things are different.
It's down to me
I am the one in charge now.
The way she does when she stole the truth out of me
She used to manipulate me and make me doubt myself, but now I have gained confidence.
Change has come, she's under my thumb
Things have shifted and I now have power over her.
Under my thumb's
I am in control of
The squirmin' dog who's just had her day
She used to have control and act like a naughty dog that had run wild, but not anymore.
A girl who has just changed her ways
The girl is behaving differently now that I have gained power over her.
The difference in the clothes she wears, down to me
I have even gained control over her fashion choices.
Under my thumb
I have power over
It's a siamese
She is like a Siamese cat, both beautiful and subservient.
Cat of a girl
She is quiet, calm and obeys me like a cat would its owner.
Well, she's the sweetest
She is now affectionate and subservient, behaving to my liking ever since I gained control over her.
Pet in the world
She is like a loyal pet, always obedient to me.
The way she does as wash your soul out of me
I have managed to wash away the bad feelings that she inspired in me before.
Under my thumb
I have power over
Her eyes are just kept
She is now looking down or avoiding eye contact with me.
To herself
She keeps her thoughts to herself and does not argue or question my authority.
Well, I
Despite her submissiveness,
I can still look at someone else
I am free to look at other women and do as I please, while she remains obedient to me.
The way she comes when I tell here to laugh at me
She even laughs at my jokes, following my orders without question.
Change has come, she's under my thumb
I have complete control over her, and she follows my commands without question.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind