Boys Don't Cry
The Cure feat. Brian Molko Lyrics

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I would say I'm sorry
If I thought that it would change your mind
But I know that this time
I have said too much
Been too unkind

I tried to laugh about it
Cover it all up with lies

I tried to laugh about it
Hiding the tears in my eyes
'Cause boys don't cry
Boys don't cry

I would break down at your feet
And beg forgiveness, plead with you
But I know that it's too late
And now there's nothing I can do

So I try to laugh about it
Cover it all up with lies
I try to laugh about it
Hiding the tears in my eyes
'Cause boys don't cry
Boys don't cry

I would tell you that I loved you
If I thought that you would stay
But I know that it's no use
And you've already gone away

Misjudged your limits
Pushed you too far
Took you for granted
Thought that you needed me more, more, more

Now I would do most anything
To get you back by my side
But I just keep on laughing
Hiding the tears in my eyes
'Cause boys don't cry
Boys don't cry

Boys don't cry

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Cure's song "Boys Don't Cry" are about a failed relationship in which the singer has treated their partner poorly and pushed them away. The singer expresses regret for their actions and wishes they could take them back and start anew. However, they know it's too late and the person has already left. The singer tries to put on a brave face and pretend like everything is okay, using humor to hide their sadness and tears. The phrase "boys don't cry" is repeated throughout the song, playing into societal norms and expectations of masculinity that discourage men from showing vulnerability or expressing their emotions.

The lyrics paint a picture of a person who is struggling with their emotions and regrets their past actions in a failed relationship. They wish they could go back and undo what they've done but know it's too late. The repetition of "boys don't cry" highlights the toxic masculinity that often leads men to suppress their emotions rather than openly expressing them. The song is a poignant commentary on emotional vulnerability and societal expectations of gender.

Line by Line Meaning

I would say I'm sorry
I'm willing to apologize

If I thought that it would change your mind
If apologizing could bring you back, I'd do it

But I know that this time
I've messed up too badly now

I have said too much
I've revealed too many worst parts of myself

Been too unkind
I've been a selfish, unkind person

I tried to laugh about it
I pretended like it wasn't a big deal

Cover it all up with lies
I tried to conceal the facts with lies

Hiding the tears in my eyes
I tried to hide my pain

'Cause boys don't cry
Boys aren't supposed to show their emotions

I would break down at your feet
I'd humiliate myself to ask for your forgiveness

And beg forgiveness, plead with you
I would try all means to ask for forgiveness from you

But I know that it's too late
It's too late to ask for your forgiveness now

And now there's nothing I can do
I've lost you and there's nothing I can do about it now

I would tell you that I loved you
I'd confess my love for you

If I thought that you would stay
If I believed that you still have feelings for me

But I know that it's no use
It's useless to say it now because you're gone

And you've already gone away
You've left me

Misjudged your limits
I underestimated how much you could take

Pushed you too far
I went too far with my actions

Took you for granted
I didn't appreciate you enough when I had the chance

Thought that you needed me more, more, more
I believed you were dependent on me

Now I would do most anything
I'm willing to go to any lengths to get you back

To get you back by my side
I want to be with you again

But I just keep on laughing
I'm still putting up a facade

Hiding the tears in my eyes
I'm still hiding my pain and emotions

'Cause boys don't cry
Boys aren't supposed to show their emotions

Boys don't cry
The societal pressure on males to hide their emotions and pain

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Laurence Andrew Tolhurst, Michael Stephen Dempsey, Robert James Smith

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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