Six O'Clock
The Beatles/Ringo Starr Lyrics

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SIX O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, YOU'VE JUST GONE TO SLEEP,
I WIPE A TEAR FROM MY EYE.
IT CAN'T BE THE KIND OF COMPANY I KEEP,
THAT KEEPS ME ASKIN', YOU KEEP ME ASKIN',
YOU KEEP ME WOND'RIN' WHY.

I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I'D LIKE TO TREAT YOU,
EV'RY PLANET IN THE SKY IS IN YOUR EYES,

BUT I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I SHOULD.

IT COULD BE THE COMFORT GOING TO MY HEAD,
THAT MAKES ME WANNA DREAM OF YOU.
BUT WHILE YOU'RE SLEEPING SOFTLY IN YOUR BED,
I WANNA TELL YOU, I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU,
I'D LOVE TO TELL YOU TOO.

I (I) DON'T (don't) TREAT (treat) YOU (you)
LIKE I'D LIKE TO TREAT YOU,
EV'RY DIAMOND IN THE SKY IS IN YOUR EYES,
BUT I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I SHOULD.

I KNOW YOU WOULD SAY, YOU LOVE MY WAY,
IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU.
BUT I KNOW FOR SURE, I COULD DO MORE, (more) MORE. (more)

I WANT TO TELL YOU, I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU,
I'D LOVE TO TELL YOU TOO.

I (I) DON'T (don't) TREAT (treat) YOU (you)
LIKE I'D LIKE TO TREAT YOU,
EV'RY DIAMOND IN THE SKY IS IN YOUR EYES,
BUT I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I SHOULD.

BUT I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I SHOULD.

(Uh-)
BUT I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I SHOULD.

(Uh-uh-uh)
BUT I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,

NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I COULD.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Six O'Clock" by Ringo Starr reflect the singer's regret and realization that they have not been treating their partner as well as they should. The song begins with the singer awake at six o'clock in the morning while their partner is asleep. They wipe a tear from their eye, suggesting a sense of sadness or longing. The singer questions the company they keep, implying that their behavior or actions might not be conducive to maintaining a healthy relationship. They express their confusion and wonder about why they are not treating their partner in a better way.

In the second paragraph, the singer acknowledges that they do not treat their partner as they ideally would. They recognize the beauty and importance of their partner but admit to not giving them the treatment they deserve. The reference to every planet in the sky being in their partner's eyes implies that their partner possesses a vast amount of love and potential, yet the singer fails to fully appreciate and reciprocate it.

The third paragraph introduces the idea that the singer's comfort in the relationship may be clouding their judgment and preventing them from taking action. They express a desire to dream about their partner and confess their love while they are sleeping. This suggests that they struggle to communicate their true feelings when their partner is awake.

In the final paragraph, the singer contemplates their partner's unconditional love and acceptance of their ways. Yet, they are aware that they could, and should, do more to show their love and strengthen the relationship. The repetition of the phrase "I'd love to tell you too" indicates their longing to express themselves and make amends.

Overall, "Six O'Clock" delves into the singer's self-reflection and understanding that they have not been treating their partner with the love and respect they deserve. There is a sense of regret and a desire to improve, to rise above their current behavior and become a better partner.

Line by Line Meaning

SIX O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, YOU'VE JUST GONE TO SLEEP,
It's six o'clock in the morning, and you have just fallen asleep.

I WIPE A TEAR FROM MY EYE.
I remove a tear from my eye, indicating my sadness.

IT CAN'T BE THE KIND OF COMPANY I KEEP,
The companionship I have cannot be the reason for my sadness.

THAT KEEPS ME ASKIN', YOU KEEP ME ASKIN',
It continuously makes me question and wonder.

YOU KEEP ME WOND'RIN' WHY.
You keep me wondering why I feel this way.

I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I'D LIKE TO TREAT YOU,
I do not show you the love and care that I desire to show you.

EV'RY PLANET IN THE SKY IS IN YOUR EYES,
Your eyes are so enchanting that they reflect all the beauty of the universe.

BUT I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
However, I do not treat you in the way I should.

NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
No, I don't treat you the way I ought to.

NO, I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I SHOULD.
No, I fail to treat you as I should and as you deserve.

IT COULD BE THE COMFORT GOING TO MY HEAD,
It's possible that the comfort I feel is clouding my judgment.

THAT MAKES ME WANNA DREAM OF YOU.
This comfort leads me to yearn and fantasize about you.

BUT WHILE YOU'RE SLEEPING SOFTLY IN YOUR BED,
However, while you peacefully sleep in your bed.

I WANNA TELL YOU, I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU,
I have a strong desire to confess and express.

I'D LOVE TO TELL YOU TOO.
I yearn to tell you how I truly feel.

I KNOW YOU WOULD SAY, YOU LOVE MY WAY,
I am aware that you would assure me of your love and acceptance.

IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU.
That is sufficient for you, while it isn't for me.

BUT I KNOW FOR SURE, I COULD DO MORE, (more) MORE. (more)
However, I am certain that I am capable of doing much more for you.

I WANT TO TELL YOU, I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU,
I have a strong desire to communicate and confess to you.

I'D LOVE TO TELL YOU TOO.
I deeply wish to express my feelings for you.

BUT I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE I,
Yet, I fail to treat you as I should.