Do You Hear What I Hear?
Starlite Ensemble Lyrics

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What do you mean?
Ohh ohh ohh
When you nod your head yes
But you wanna say no
What do you mean?
Hey yeah
When you don't want me to move

But you tell me to go
What do you mean?
Ohh
What do you mean?
Said we're running out of time
What do you mean?

Ohh ohh ohh

What do you mean?
Better make up your mind
What do you mean?
You're so indecisive of what I'm saying
Trying to catch the beat, make up your heart

Don't know if you're happy or complaining
Don't want for us to end

Where do I start
First you wanna go to the left and you want to turn right
Wanna argue all day, make love all night
First you up then you're down and then between
Ohh I really want to know...
What do you mean?
Ohh ohh ohh
When you nod your head yes
But you wanna say no
What do you mean?
Hey yeah
When you don't want me to move
But you tell me to go
What do you mean?
Ohh
What do you mean?
Said we're running out of time
What do you mean?
Ohh ohh ohh
What do you mean?
Better make up your mind
What do you mean?
You're overprotective when I'm leaving
Trying to compromise but I can't win
You wanna make a point but you keep preaching
You had me from the start, won't let this end
First you wanna go to the left then you want to turn right
Wanna argue all day, make love all night
First you're up then you're down and then between
Ohh I really wanna know...
What do you mean?
Ohh ohh ohh
When you nod your head yes
But you wanna say no
What do you mean?
Hey yeah
When you don't want me to move
But you tell me to go
What do you mean?
I want to know...
Oh
What do you mean?
Ohhh
Said we're running out of time
What do you mean?
(Oh baby)
Ohh ohh ohh
What do you mean?
Better make up your mind
What do you mean?
Ohh ohh ohh
(This is ours baby, yeah)
When you nod your head yes
But you wanna say no
What do you mean?
(You're so confusing baby)
Hey yeah
When you don't want me to move
But you tell me to go
What do you mean?
(Be more straight forward)
Ohh
What do you mean?
(Give it back back back)
Said we're running out of time
What do you mean?
(Give it back back back)
Ohh ohh ohh
What do you mean?

Better make up your mind
What do you mean?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to this song convey confusion and frustration between two lovers who are struggling to communicate their feelings to one another. The repeated question "what do you mean?" suggests that the singer is struggling to understand their partner's mixed signals. The opening lines highlight this issue, as the partner nods their head yes but seemingly wants to say no. This conflict is compounded when the partner tells the singer not to move, but then insists that they leave. The singer is left feeling unsure of what their partner wants, and pleads with them to "make up [their] mind."

The lyrics also touch on other relationship issues, such as indecisiveness and the desire to both argue and make love. The partner is described as overprotective and preaching, but also having had a strong impact on the relationship from the beginning. The repetition of the chorus and the plea for the partner to be more straightforward suggest that the singer is tired of trying to decipher mixed signals and wants a clearer understanding of their relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

What do you mean?
Confused about what you're saying

Ohh ohh ohh When you nod your head yes But you wanna say no What do you mean?
You're sending mixed signals

Hey yeah When you don't want me to move But you tell me to go What do you mean?
You say one thing but mean the opposite

Ohh What do you mean?
You're being unclear about your intentions

Said we're running out of time What do you mean?
We need to make a decision soon

Better make up your mind What do you mean?
You need to decide what you want

You're so indecisive of what I'm saying Trying to catch the beat, make up your heart
You're having trouble understanding and reacting to my words

Don't know if you're happy or complaining Don't want for us to end
I can't tell if you're satisfied or dissatisfied with our relationship

Where do I start First you wanna go to the left and you want to turn right Wanna argue all day, make love all night First you up then you're down and then between Ohh I really want to know... What do you mean?
You're giving me mixed signals and I'm confused about what you want

You're overprotective when I'm leaving Trying to compromise but I can't win You wanna make a point but you keep preaching You had me from the start, won't let this end
You're insecure about our relationship and trying to control it

I want to know... Oh What do you mean?
I need you to communicate clearly and honestly

Said we're running out of time What do you mean? (Oh baby) What do you mean? Better make up your mind What do you mean? (This is ours baby, yeah)
We need to figure things out soon and make a decision together

When you nod your head yes But you wanna say no What do you mean? (You're so confusing baby) Hey yeah When you don't want me to move But you tell me to go What do you mean? (Be more straight forward) Ohh What do you mean? (Give it back back back) Said we're running out of time What do you mean? (Give it back back back) Ohh ohh ohh What do you mean? Better make up your mind What do you mean?
You're sending mixed signals and I need you to be more open and honest with me

Writer(s): Gloria Shayne, Noel Regney

Contributed by Lucy H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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