Next Girl
The Black Keys Lyrics


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Well, the look of the cake, it ain't
It ain't always the taste
My ex girl, she had such a, such a beautiful face
I wanted love but not for myself
But for the girl so she could
So she could love herself

Oh my next girl
Will be nothing like, my ex girl
I made mistakes back then, I'll never do it again
Oh my next girl
She'll be nothing like my ex girl
It was a painful death, nah
I got a second chance

Oh her beautiful face and her wicked ways
And I'm praying for her beautiful face everyday
All that work, over, over so much time
If I, if I think too hard, I might lose my mind

Oh my next girl, yeah
Will be nothing like, my ex girl
I made mistakes back then
I'll never do it again
With my next girl
She'll be nothing like my ex girl
It was a painful dance and I
I got a second chance, yeah

Next girl, yeah
My next girl

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Next Girl" by The Black Keys describe a man reflecting on his past relationship with his ex-girlfriend, who had a beautiful face but ultimately caused him pain. He admits to making mistakes in the past and vows to never repeat them with his next girlfriend, who he hopes will be nothing like his ex. The song is a cautionary tale about not settling for someone just because of their physical appearance and instead valuing inner beauty and self-love.


The opening lyrics suggest that appearances can be deceiving and that sometimes things that look good on the surface may not be satisfying on deeper levels. The singer then goes on to describe his ex-girlfriend's physical beauty, but notes that he wanted her to love herself. This may suggest that his ex-girlfriend had insecurities or lacked self-confidence, and he wanted her to find emotional fulfillment beyond their relationship.


The chorus emphasizes the singer's desire to find a partner who embodies different qualities than his ex-girlfriend. He acknowledges his mistakes from the past and expresses gratitude for a second chance at love. The mention of a "painful dance" may allude to the ups and downs of his previous relationship, while the promise of a "second chance" hints at a brighter future.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, the look of the cake, it ain't
Things aren't always what they seem on the surface


It ain't always the taste
Something that appears good may not be enjoyable


My ex girl, she had such a, such a beautiful face
I was attracted to my ex-girlfriend's appearance


I wanted love but not for myself
I desired love for the benefit of my ex-girlfriend


But for the girl so she could
So she could learn to love herself


Oh my next girl
Referring to a future romantic partner


Will be nothing like, my ex girl
I seek someone who is different from my ex-girlfriend


I made mistakes back then, I'll never do it again
I acknowledge my past mistakes and vow to not repeat them


Oh her beautiful face and her wicked ways
My ex-girlfriend was attractive but had negative behavior


And I'm praying for her beautiful face everyday
I still think about my ex-girlfriend's appearance often


All that work, over, over so much time
The effort and time invested in the relationship is now gone


If I, if I think too hard, I might lose my mind
I need to avoid dwelling on the past to maintain my mental health


With my next girl
Future romantic partner


It was a painful dance and I
The relationship with my ex-girlfriend was difficult


I got a second chance, yeah
I am hopeful for a better relationship in the future


Next girl, yeah
Referring to a future romantic partner


My next girl
Referring to a future romantic partner




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daniel Auerbach, Patrick Carney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@SansRedGoddess

The Black Keys "Next Girl" Lyrics

The look of the cake
It ain't always the taste
My ex girl she had
Such a beautiful face

I wanted love
But not for myself
But for the girl
So she could love herself

My next girl
Will be nothing like my ex girl
I made mistakes back then
I'll never do it again
With my next girl
She'll be nothing like my ex girl
That was a painful dance
Now I got a second chance

A beautiful face
And a wicked way
And I'm paying for her
Beautiful face every day
All that work
Over so much time If I think too hard
I might lose my mind

My next girl
Will be nothing like my ex girl
I made mistakes back then
I'll never do it again
With my next girl
She'll be nothing like my ex girl
That was a painful dance
Now I got a second chance



@Mary-eo7ir

For the mobile kidz

The look of the cake
It ain't always the taste
My ex girl she had
Such a beautiful face

I wanted love
But not for myself
But for the girl
So she could love herself

My next girl
Will be nothing like my ex girl
I made mistakes back then
I'll never do it again
With my next girl
She'll be nothing like my ex girl
That was a painful dance
Now I got a second chance

A beautiful face
And a wicked way
And I'm paying for her
Beautiful face every day
All that work
Over so much time If I think too hard
I might lose my mind

My next girl
Will be nothing like my ex girl
I made mistakes back then
I'll never do it again
With my next girl
She'll be nothing like my ex girl
That was a painful dance
Now I got a second chance



@raspberry481

The look of the cake
It ain't always the taste
My ex girl she had
Such a beautiful face

I wanted love
But not for myself
But for the girl
So she could love herself

My next girl
Will be nothing like my ex girl
I made mistakes back then
I'll never do it again
With my next girl
She'll be nothing like my ex girl
That was a painful dance
Now I got a second chance

A beautiful face
And a wicked way
And I'm paying for her
Beautiful face every day
All that work
Over so much time If I think too hard
I might lose my mind

My next girl
Will be nothing like my ex girl
I made mistakes back then
I'll never do it again
With my next girl
She'll be nothing like my ex girl
That was a painful dance
Now I got a second chance



All comments from YouTube:

@jojorockets7452

"I wanted love, but not for myself, but for the girl so she could, so she could love herself." Definitely one of the best lyrics ever

@yelizaveta1278

Truly..

@michaelzehetmaier9635

Detection at best

@timhankins6884

Made me realize why I loved her. It wasn't for me but....
You have to love yourself before you can love someone else.

@joejacquesschulz8514

What I heard "Cobra Tate" sees himself that way...🤣🤣🤣

@RegGalloway-im1ys

Comment above says it all

6 More Replies...

@long9kim

"well, the look of the cake it ain't, it ain't always the taste" the best line in this song.

@Scollywopbeebop

So true...literally and figuratively. 😂

@fie_biggestfan

Preach brother preach

@Itsnoahscott

Hell yea I eat ass.

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