Laugh At Me
Sonny Cher Lyrics
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Why do they try to make me run?
Son of a gun, now.
What do they care, about the clothes I wear?
Why get their kicks from making fun, yeah
This world's got a lot of space
It ain't me that's going anywhere, no
So I don't care
Let 'em laugh at me
If that's the fare
I have to pay to be free
Then baby
Laugh at me, and I'll cry for you
And I'll pray for you
And I'll do all the things that the man upstairs says to do
I'll do 'em for you
I'll do 'em
I'll do 'em all for you
It's gotta stop someplace
It's gotta stop sometime
I'll make sure that she's mine
And maybe the next guy
That don't wear a silk tie
He can walk by and say "Hi"
Say, "Hi"
Instead of why
Instead of why
Instead of why babe
Instead of why
What did I do to you
I don't know what to do
The song 'Laugh at Me' by Sonny & Cher is a reflection on the societal pressures and expectations that individuals face to conform to normative standards to fit in. The lyrics describe Sonny's frustration and confusion at why he cannot be like everyone else and why people feel the need to judge and mock him for not fitting in. He questions why people care about his appearance, clothes, and face and how these superficialities have become the basis for ridicule and exclusion. He asserts that if someone doesn't like him, then it's not his fault but theirs, and that he won't change himself to fit their expectations.
Sonny acknowledges that the laughter and criticism from others hurt him, but his strong sense of self-belief and self-worth means that he won't let these negative reactions define him. He explains that he'd rather be laughed at than compromise his identity and freedom to be himself. He empathizes with others' insecurities and fears and commits to living by the values and teachings of a higher power. In the end, Sonny declares that he is on a mission to challenge these societal pressures and pave the way for greater acceptance and freedom of self-expression.
Overall, 'Laugh at Me' can be seen as a plea for empathy, acceptance, and respect for individual differences in a world that values conformity over authenticity. It encourages listeners to celebrate their unique qualities and to resist the pressure to conform to societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Why can't I, be like any guy?
I wonder why I can't just blend in and be like everyone else?
Why do they try to make me run?
Why do people always try to change who I am?
Son of a gun, now.
Well, this is frustrating.
What do they care, about the clothes I wear?
Why do people care so much about my appearance?
Why get their kicks from making fun, yeah
Why do people find joy in ridiculing me?
This world's got a lot of space
The world is so big and diverse.
And if they don't like my face
If they don't like the way I look,
It ain't me that's going anywhere, no
it's not my problem. I'm not going to change for them.
So I don't care
I don't care what they think of me.
Let 'em laugh at me
They can laugh at me if they want to.
If that's the fare
If that's what I have to endure,
I have to pay to be free
to be free and true to myself,
Then baby
so be it.
Laugh at me, and I'll cry for you
If you laugh at me, it hurts me deeply.
And I'll pray for you
I'll pray that you'll see the error of your ways.
And I'll do all the things that the man upstairs says to do
I'll do unto others as I would have them do unto me.
I'll do 'em for you
I'll do those things for you.
It's gotta stop someplace
This ridicule and discrimination has to stop at some point.
It's gotta stop sometime
Enough is enough.
I'll make sure that she's mine
I'll make sure that the girl I like chooses me.
And maybe the next guy
And maybe the next person,
That don't wear a silk tie
who doesn't conform to societal norms,
He can walk by and say 'Hi'
can walk by and be greeted kindly.
Say, 'Hi'
Just say hello.
Instead of why, instead of why
Instead of questioning their differences,
Instead of why babe
Instead of asking why, my dear,
What did I do to you
What have I done to deserve this treatment?
I don't know what to do
I don't know how to make them stop.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sonny Bono
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John LaStrada
Great song by Sonny Bono -- covered excellently by Mott the Hoople's rocking lead vocalist Ian Hunter. The live version -- wonderful. There was a lot more to Sonny Bono and his music than many gave him credit for. He was also assisted legendary producer Phil Spector in the studio on many great 60's hit records.
Carlos Arturo Sousa Garrido Lecca
Esta canción fue originalmente lanzada por Sonny Bono en versión “single” como solista. Y fue el único éxito que tuvo como artista en solitario. Luego sería incluida en este álbum de Sonny & Cher.
robinandthe7hoods
A lot of great songs on this album!
Jeff Barley
Just takes me back to a wonderful time in my life, it's called the 1960's. Jeff Barley
Barbara M. Brackett
This song was featured on Good Girls this past Thursday!
Thomas Fleig
He wrote this song after he got into a fight with some jerk in a restaurant, he'd been going to for years, because the guy made fun of how he and Cher looked and were dressed. He was hurt that the owner kicked them out and told them not to come back. Cher said he wrote this song that night and it was playing on the radio the next day.
Matthew Kaiser
They dressed the way they dressed before it was cool... they got kicked out of a fair number of places. Once they became more popular, LOTS of people were adopting their fashion! Years later, on The Sonny and Cher Show (post divorce) they recreated their original fashion and hair styles to show the audience how they looked when they started performing, with Sonny saying "This is how we dressed in 1964... I guess it's too late to say I'm sorry!"
april lear
Great talent what a great instro backing
Steve Gross
Dave vandewater, this was your song In high School
Rea Bono
Toller Song 👍