I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore
The Rascals Lyrics


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(Yeah) I Think you got the biggest brown eyes
And you know how to part your lips to tantalize, sure
(Yeah) You can get any man you want goin' and you do it
And don't say you don't know you do

Well, baby, I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
So quit it

I love you, I love you, I do, little girl
But you ain't gonna cheat on me
I need you, I need you, I [2: really] do, girl
Choose, is it him or me (is it him or me)

(Yeah) Just 'cause I ain't been sayin' it, girl
You should be ashamed of what I've been seein' - bad
(Yeah) You better watch your step or, girl
You can bet you're gonna lose the best thing you ever had

Well, baby, I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
So quit it

I love you, I love you, I do, little girl
But you ain't gonna cheat on me
I need you, I need you, I do, girl




Choose, is it him or me (is it him or me)
I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore [repeat to fade]

Overall Meaning

The Rascals's song, "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore," begins with a description of the woman the singer is addressing. He admires her beauty, especially her brown eyes and the way she knows how to use her lips to tantalize men. However, the singer seems to be aware of her promiscuity, knowing that she could get any man she wants. He confronts her, saying that he loves her, but he cannot tolerate her cheating on him anymore. He pleads with her to choose between him and the other man in her life.


The title of the song, "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore," is a metaphor that means the singer is not going to suffer anymore because of his love for this woman. He is not going to let his heart be consumed by her cheating and betrayal. Throughout the song, the singer is trying to convince the woman to choose him and stay faithful, warning her of the consequence of losing him, which she would regret as he is the best thing she ever had.


In conclusion, "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore" is a song about a man who is tired of being treated poorly by his lover. He confronts her about her promiscuity and makes it clear that he will not tolerate it anymore. The song's title serves as a metaphor for the singer's emotional pain and the overall message is that the singer will move on if he is no longer treated with the love and respect he deserves.


Line by Line Meaning

(Yeah) I Think you got the biggest brown eyes
The singer thinks that the listener has very attractive eyes.


And you know how to part your lips to tantalize, sure
The singer thinks that the listener is skilled in using their mouth in a seductive manner.


(Yeah) You can get any man you want goin' and you do it
The singer believes that the listener is capable of attracting any man they desire and they exercise this power often.


And don't say you don't know you do
The artist is calling out the listener for pretending to be naive about their own seductiveness.


Well, baby, I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
The artist won't let their heart be consumed by sorrow or jealousy any longer.


So quit it
The singer urges the listener to stop their behavior.


I love you, I love you, I do, little girl
The singer declares their love for the listener.


But you ain't gonna cheat on me
The artist is warning the listener against being unfaithful.


I need you, I need you, I [2: really] do, girl
The artist expresses their strong desire for the listener.


Choose, is it him or me (is it him or me)
The artist asks the listener to decide between them and another person.


(Yeah) Just 'cause I ain't been sayin' it, girl
The singer is admitting to not vocalizing their concerns to the listener.


You should be ashamed of what I've been seein' - bad
The artist believes that the listener's behavior has been disgraceful and damaging to their relationship.


You better watch your step or, girl
The singer warns the listener to be careful with their behavior.


You can bet you're gonna lose the best thing you ever had
The singer implies that the listener will regret their actions and lose something valuable as a result.


I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
The singer repeats their commitment to refrain from being consumed by negative emotions.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LORI BURTON, PAM SAWYER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@joelewing4498

Yeah, I'm a Boomer with a capitol "B" baby.....I remember as a 12 yr. old seeing this as it first was broadcast on TV in '66. First time seeing it since. RIP Dino Danelli.....God Bless you, you were a badass drummer, sir. Man, we Boomers were blessed, weren't we?

@pjreynoldsa1

I feel so lucky to be a boomer. we saw so many changes and great bands!

@vrinda5303

​@@pjreynoldsa1I was born 15 years after this performance. I grew up listening to '50s and '60s music. It was the best era for music. I only wish we could have it this way today.

@soarornor

Dino’s stick twirling was so awesome. Amazing drummer. Everyone in that band were perfect in what they added to the whole. Extraordinary band.

@dawnenglish2114

I know ....right? Had some kind of a tight clutch on that twirl with an extra scoop of attitude on top.

@therussiandragon616

And he's 22 years old here. All that showmanship and syncopated drumming developed early.

@dano5238

Dino was not appreciated enough.

@ItsSusieQue96

Most folks dont know this but Dino is the one who taught Keith Moon of The Who how to twirl sticks💕 Dino was SO underrated…

@soarornor

@@ItsSusieQue96 How was he underrated? The Rascals were huge and he was one of the reasons.

1 More Replies...

@markbass9402

These dudes were the living end. We were sooooo lucky to come up in the greatest time for popular music, be it rock , soul, or country. Eat your heart out, kids today!

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