Please Don't Lead Me On
The Sheepdogs Lyrics


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You and me were free
Doing things together
There was nothing I could see
Wasn't black or white
But now shades of grey are creeping me
I see it when I sleep, alone

Laughing all along
We're having quite a time
That they were playing our favourite song
Boogie on, reggae woman
Never lasted for so long
Where did I go wrong?

Please don't lead me on
I just can't take a broken heart, no
Please don't lead me on
I just can't take another broken heart, no

Last night I was off the rails
Ten sheets to the wind
I drank myself, it never fails
Wouldn't see you again
I guess I'll put myself to bed
Rest my weary head for the night

Played for a woman's heart
She left me pretty quick
She said I couldn't play the part
She said I'd never stick
I was accosted by a barber
He said "Son I'll shave your beard"

Please don't lead me on
I just can't take a broken heart, no




Please don't lead me on
I just can't take a broken heart, no

Overall Meaning

The Sheepdogs’ song β€œPlease Don’t Lead Me On” is a lamentation on a relationship gone sour. The song starts off by painting a picture of two people in love and doing things together, enjoying each other's company without a care in the world. However, the shades of grey are slowly creeping in, and the singer is starting to see that the relationship is not as perfect as he thought it was. He's now plagued with doubts and insecurities and these thoughts are haunting him even in his sleep.


The second verse is a memory of happier times, when the couple is out dancing and enjoying some good music. However, this has all come to an end and he can't help but ask himself where he went wrong. This leads straight into the chorus with a desperate plea for his partner not to lead him on and break his heart. He's already been through that and doesn't want to go there again.


The final verse talks about how the heartbreak has caused him to spiral out of control, with him turning to alcohol to numb his pain. He admits that he has it in him to throw in the towel on the relationship and just put himself to bed for the night. The song ends with the memory of another heartbreak, perhaps before he met his current partner, where he was told he wasn't good enough for the woman he was interested in. Overall, the lyrics are raw, emotional and relatable to anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak and the feelings of self-doubt that come with it.


Line by Line Meaning

You and me were free
At some point, we had no obligations or commitments, and we were free to explore life together


Doing things together
We were engaging in shared experiences


There was nothing I could see
At that time, there were no apparent problems in our relationship


Wasn't black or white
Our relationship was not a simple binary of good or bad


But now shades of grey are creeping me
Recently, issues have arisen that have made our relationship more complex and difficult


I see it when I sleep, alone
These problems have been causing me stress and anxiety, even affecting my sleep


Laughing all along
We used to have fun and enjoy each other's company


We're having quite a time
Our time together was memorable and enjoyable


That they were playing our favourite song
We had a shared love of music and enjoyed hearing our favorite tunes


Boogie on, reggae woman
This line references a popular song from the 70s, suggesting that we were together during a happy time from the past


Never lasted for so long
Our happy times together were relatively brief


Where did I go wrong?
The artist is reflecting on what went wrong in their relationship


Please don't lead me on
The singer is asking their partner to be honest and not give false hope


I just can't take a broken heart, no
The singer has been hurt before and is afraid of being hurt again


Last night I was off the rails
The singer was drunk and acting recklessly


Ten sheets to the wind
The artist was extremely intoxicated


I drank myself, it never fails
Drinking is the artist's way of coping with their problems


Wouldn't see you again
The singer is avoiding their partner, perhaps to avoid further conflict or bad feelings


I guess I'll put myself to bed
The singer is resigned to being alone for the night


Rest my weary head for the night
The artist is tired and needs rest


Played for a woman's heart
The artist pursued a romantic relationship with a woman


She left me pretty quick
The woman rejected the artist


She said I couldn't play the part
The woman didn't think the singer was right for her


She said I'd never stick
The woman didn't think the artist was capable of being consistent and committed


I was accosted by a barber
The singer is approached by a stranger, perhaps suggesting that he is feeling vulnerable and exposed


He said 'Son I'll shave your beard'
This line could be interpreted in various ways, such as suggesting that the singer is losing his identity or masculinity




Contributed by Caden K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Steve E.

This is such a beautiful tune. I love the melodies. His voice in this one reminds of Darryl Hall and John Oates. Great stuff fellow rockers from da NorthπŸ™πŸΌπŸ‘πŸ»πŸ»πŸ‘ŒπŸŒ›πŸ‘

jimmy jazz

please don't lead us on..carry on just the way you are sheepdogs..don't change what your doing for any record label..stay true to the music and your place in history is cemented

Kirstie Renwick

This sounds like the Beatles to me. Love the Sheepdogs!

Michelle Morrison

this is amazing. i am so happy they exist.. thank you, whatever super human force put these guys to save our music, i now can have hope in modern music haha :)

Maggie Althoff

I've had a strange musical nostalgia my entire life... I think the sheepdogs cured it

ted maki

This Is Just.... Awesome!!!

Ryan Smith

This is the song from the white album that never was - fucking beautiful

Kay Cass

SO GOOD!

DuWayne Alberts

Love it, it does sound like Jack J. with a band.

Dave R

Any thumbs down is from the Beiber generation. Great music that should be more promoted on Canadian radio.

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