Excuse Me
The Mavericks Lyrics

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They just don't know
How lost I feel without you
My teardrops never see the light of day
I laugh and joke each time they talk about you
But if they heard my heart, they'd hear it say:

[Chorus:]
Excuse me, I think I've got a heartache

There's an aching deep inside
And it just won't be denied
Excuse me, I think I've got a heartache
And I'd better say goodbye before I cry

I guess it's pride that makes me hide my sorrow
I live a lie in all I do and say
My lips may lie and paint a bright tomorrow
But if I told the truth, I'd have to say:

[Chorus]

And I'd better say goodbye before I cry

Overall Meaning

The Mavericks' song Excuse Me captures the feeling of heartbreak and the struggle to cope with losing someone you love. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and sadness that the singer is trying to hide from the people around them. The opening verse expresses the idea that no one else seems to understand the pain the singer is feeling. They can't help but feel lost without their loved one, and their tears remain hidden from the world. However, even in the verse, they are trying to put up a front and laugh through the heartache.

The chorus of Excuse Me is particularly powerful as it perfectly sums up the song's message. The singer is attempting to mask their pain and hide their heartache, but they know that they can't keep denying it. They have to face the truth and say goodbye to their loved one before they cry. The line "And I'd better say goodbye before I cry" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the singer is afraid that if they let themselves cry, they may never stop. It's a heartbreaking moment that captures the raw emotion of the situation.

In the second verse, we get a glimpse into the singer's internal struggle. They are trying to maintain a facade of happiness and optimism, but in reality, they are living a lie. By lying to themselves and others, they are only prolonging the pain. The last line of the verse is particularly insightful: "But if I told the truth, I'd have to say". It suggests that the singer knows that they need to be honest with themselves and others but is too afraid to face the truth.

Overall, Excuse Me is a poignant and relatable song that perfectly captures the harsh reality of heartbreak. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, and the emotion behind the delivery is palpable. It's a song that anyone who has experienced heartbreak can relate to.

Line by Line Meaning

They just don't know
The people around me don't understand

How lost I feel without you
I feel empty and aimless since you left me

My teardrops never see the light of day
I keep my sadness hidden from others

I laugh and joke each time they talk about you
I pretend to be fine when people bring up your name

But if they heard my heart, they'd hear it say:
If they knew how I truly felt, they'd hear this pain in my heart

[Chorus:]
The chorus repeats the song's title, emphasizing the heartache

I guess it's pride that makes me hide my sorrow
I don't want to show weakness, so I keep my sadness to myself

I live a lie in all I do and say
I pretend everything is okay, even though it's not

My lips may lie and paint a bright tomorrow
I try to convince myself that things will get better

But if I told the truth, I'd have to say:
If I were honest, I'd admit how much I'm hurting

[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus emphasizes the heartache and need to say goodbye