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Act Nice and Gentle
The Black Keys Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You don't need no fancy clothes
Where'd you get them, goodness knows?
Just show some civility
Act nice, act nice and gentle to me

I don't need no luxuries,
As long as you are understanding
I'm not difficult to please
Act nice, act nice and gentle to me

Well I'm the kind of guy who likes
To take you as I find you
So throw away those false eyelashes and
Act nice, act nice, baby

Come on baby, hold my hand
Come on baby, understand, you gotta
Act nice, act nice and gentle to me
Act nice, act nice and gentle to me

Come on baby, hold my hand
Come on baby, understand, you gotta
Act nice, act nice and gentle to me
Act nice, act nice and gentle to me

Overall Meaning

The Black Keys' song Act Nice and Gentle is a simple request for kindness and sincerity in a relationship. The lyrics express that material possessions and physical appearances are not important, rather it is the way one treats another that matters. The use of the line "Where'd you get them, goodness knows?" implies that the singer is not impressed with superficiality and that the genuineness of the subject is more meaningful than any fashion statement they may make.


The plea to "Act nice and gentle to me" is repeated often in the song symbolizing that the singer believes that these qualities are the most important traits in any connection. The lines "I'm not difficult to please" and "I'm the kind of guy who likes to take you as I find you" indicate that the singer feels that he himself has a lot to offer, but that authenticity is key when it comes to sustaining a successful relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

You don't need no fancy clothes
I don't care about the clothes you wear.


Where'd you get them, goodness knows?
I'm not curious about where you got your clothes from.


Just show some civility
All I ask is that you be polite and well-mannered.


Act nice, act nice and gentle to me
Please treat me with kindness and respect.


I don't need no luxuries,
I don't need anything extravagant or expensive.


As long as you are understanding
As long as you are patient and empathetic.


I'm not difficult to please
It doesn't take much to make me happy.


Well I'm the kind of guy who likes
I prefer to accept people for who they are.


To take you as I find you
I'm happy with you just the way you are.


So throw away those false eyelashes and
You don't need to wear makeup or put on a facade to impress me.


Act nice, act nice, baby
Just be kind and gentle with me, sweetheart.


Come on baby, hold my hand
Let's connect and support each other.


Come on baby, understand, you gotta
Please listen to me and be compassionate towards me.


Act nice, act nice and gentle to me
Again, please be kind, considerate, and gentle towards me.


Act nice, act nice and gentle to me
Once more, please be respectful and empathetic to my feelings and needs.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

N.E. Nichtmaus

Why aren’t hundreds of thousands of people listening to this?? It’s a great tune that’s like a cultural balm .. and his damn blues sensibility in the guitar is awesome

Steve Stowell-Virtue

Because they are not promoting the modern ideals. Just making damn good music. All blues players die poor.

washburnbilly

I just found this gem myself! So laid back it reminds me of steelhead fishing once I drop anchor on the lower Manistee. All the stuff just fades away! And I can relax in what God built!

James Mendoza

Man I could drive a truck all day to this...

Denise Young

Best cover ever!!!

anonymous bigshot

I was today years old when I realized that this was a cover of a Kinks song

N.E. Nichtmaus

Whoa no way!!!! Mind blown

Kapil Joshey

Thanks! You're a legend for educating young folks!

Kapil Joshey

And yeah, mind totally blow. My mind went, "wait, what?!"

bistro autismo

You just got me so good

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