Don'T You Want Me
The Human League(ÈËÀàÁªÃ˺ϳªÍÅ) Lyrics


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You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar, when I met you
I picked you out, I shook you up
And turned you around, turned you into someone new

Now five years later on you've got the world at your feet
Success has been so easy for you
But don't forget it's me who put you where you are now
And I can put you back there too

Don't, don't you want me?
You know I can't believe it
When I hear that you won't see me
Don't, don't you want me?
You know I don't believe you
When you say that you don't need me
It's much to late to find
When you think you've changed your mind
You'd better change it back or we will both be sorry
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me, oh?
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me, oh?

I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
That much is true
But even then I knew I'd find a much better place
Either with or without you

The five years we have had have been such good times
I still love you
But now I think it's time I live my life on my own
I guess it's just what I must do

Don't, don't you want me?
You know I can't believe it
When I hear that you won't see me
Don't, don't you want me?
You know I don't believe you
When you say that you don't need me
It's much to late to find
When you think you've changed your mind
You'd better change it back or we will both be sorry
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me, oh?
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me, oh?

Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me, oh?
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me, oh?
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me, oh?
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me, oh?
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me, oh?
Don't you want me, baby?




Don't you want me, oh?
Don't you want me, baby?

Overall Meaning

The Human League's "Don't You Want Me" tells the story of a couple whose relationship started off as a waitress and a customer in a cocktail bar. The first verse depicts the man as being the one who noticed the woman, picked her out, shaped her into someone new, and ultimately led her to success. The chorus repeats the title phrase talking about how the man thinks the woman still needs him and can't believe she would leave him. The second verse implies that the woman is leaving him since she wants to live her life on her own, but she still has feelings for him. The chorus is repeated again, and the song ends with the woman listing the title question a few more times.


The song depicts a toxic relationship. The woman does not owe the man anything for him picking her out and shaping her into someone new. The chorus, "Don't, don't you want me?" comes across as manipulative and possessive, showing the man's feelings of entitlement towards the woman's success. Despite that, it is widespread with people since it is a catchy song with memorable lyrics that are vocally expressive, and its story-line can apply to many people's lives.


Line by Line Meaning

You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar, when I met you
I first saw you when you were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar


I picked you out, I shook you up
I noticed you and made an effort to get your attention


And turned you around, turned you into someone new
I helped you become a better version of yourself


Now five years later on you've got the world at your feet
After five years, you have achieved great success


Success has been so easy for you
You have had an easy time achieving your success


But don't forget it's me who put you where you are now
Remember that I am the one who enabled your success


And I can put you back there too
I have the power to take away your success as well


Don't, don't you want me?
Do you not still have feelings for me?


You know I can't believe it
It's hard for me to accept that you might not want me


When I hear that you won't see me
It hurts me to hear that you won't meet with me


You know I don't believe you
I have a hard time believing that you don't need me


When you say that you don't need me
It's hard for me to accept that you don't require my help


It's much too late to find
It's too late for us to reconcile and fix things


When you think you've changed your mind
If you think you've made a mistake, it might be too late to fix it


You'd better change it back or we will both be sorry
If you don't change your mind, we will both regret losing each other


Don't you want me, baby?
Haven't you realized that you still want me?


I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
It's true that I used to work in a cocktail bar as a waitress


That much is true
This fact is indisputable


But even then I knew I'd find a much better place
I always knew that I could achieve more than being a waitress


Either with or without you
I can achieve success with or without your help


The five years we have had have been such good times
The five years we spent together were amazing


I still love you
I still have feelings for you


But now I think it's time I live my life on my own
It's time for me to focus on my own life and independence


I guess it's just what I must do
This is the necessary step I need to take


Don't you want me, baby?
Haven't you realized that you still want me?




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: ADRIAN WRIGHT, IAN CHARLES BURDEN, JOHN WILLIAM CALLIS, PHILIP OAKEY

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

@mathewhorodner2000

You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
When I met you
I picked you out, I shook you up
And turned you around
Turned you into someone new
Now five years later on you've got the world at your feet
Success has been so easy for you
But don't forget it's me who put you where you are now
And I can put you back down too.

I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
That much is true
But even then I knew I'd find a much better place
Either with or without you
The five years we have had have been such good at times
I still love you
But now I think it's time I lived my life on my own
I guess it's just what I must do



@TheRealForrestGeorge

You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
When I met you
I picked you out, I shook you up
And turned you around
Turned you into someone new
Now five years later on you've got the world at your feet
Success has been so easy for you
But don't forget it's me who put you where you are now
And I can put you back down too.

Don't. Don't you want me?
You know I can't believe it when I hear that you won't see me
Don't. Don't you want me?
You know I don't believe you when you say that you don't need me

It's much too late to find
When you think you've changed your mind
You'd better change it back or we will both be sorry

Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh!
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh!

I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
That much is true
But even then I knew I'd find a much better place
Either with or without you
The five years we have had have been such good at times
I still love you
But now I think it's time I lived my life on my own
I guess it's just what I must do

Don't. Don't you want me?
You know I can't believe it when I hear that you won't see me
Don't. Don't you want me?
You know I don't believe you when you say that you don't need me

It's much too late find
When you think you've changed your mind
You'd better change it back or we will both be sorry

Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh!
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh!

[REPEAT x3]
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh!
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh!



All comments from YouTube:

@jdz9952

YouTube is the closest thing to a time machine

@jeremyhall2727

Yeah last year I watch a Russia cartoon from the 1970's. Because another video said it was scary

@notoriousburrito6063

It is

@wildbill5670

I do. I want to go back to the 60's.

@neddyconstant5816

This song RULES
Merry Christmas Everyone
Time 4:16AM Fri 12/25/20

@TheDarkDutchman

Yes, it's been said many times before.

162 More Replies...

@TheArtofGuitar

The tragedy of growing up in the 80’s is you didn’t realize at the time how awesome it was, and when you finally do it’s already over.

@m_christine8777

The 90s were also great

@BeukendaalMason

Yup, great music, great movies, and big shoulder pads in everyones clothes...

@mrducks8194

Thats generslly about life, you are young and before you know it, you are 40. Enjoy the moment

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