You can't judge a book
The Yardbirds Lyrics


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You can't judge an apple by looking at the tree,
You can't judge honey by looking at the bee,
You can't judge a daughter by looking at the mother,
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover.

[Chorus]
Oh can't you see,
Oh, well, you misjudge me.
I look like a farmer,
But I'm a lover

Can't judge a book by looking at the cover.
Yeah, that's right,
That's so good.

You can't judge a fish by looking in the pond,
You can't judge right by looking at the wrong,
You can't judge one by looking at the other,
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover.

[Chorus]

Can't judge a book by looking at the cover.
You can't judge sugar by looking at the cane,
You can't judge a woman by looking at her man,
You can't judge a sister by looking at her brother,
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover.

[Chorus]






Can't judge a book by looking at the cover.

Overall Meaning

The Yardbirds's song "You Can't Judge A Book By Looking At The Cover" is about not judging someone or something at first glance. The lyrics make use of several metaphors to convey the message. For example, the first verse says "you can't judge an apple by looking at the tree" and "you can't judge honey by looking at the bee". These metaphors mean that you can't judge something by its outward appearance. You need to look deeper to truly understand it.


The second verse talks about judging right by looking at the wrong. This makes the point that you can't judge someone's character by their mistakes. Similarly, you can't judge a woman by looking at her man, or a sister by looking at her brother. These metaphors say that we must not generalize people simply based on where they come from or who they surround themselves with.


The chorus repeats the refrain that "you misjudge me" and that the singer "looks like a farmer, but [is] a lover". It emphasizes that if you judge someone based on their appearance, you'll never truly know who they are. The idea is that we all have hidden qualities that can't be seen at first glance.


Overall, this song message is about open-mindedness and not judging others before you know them fully. The metaphors used are catchy and serve as a memorable way to make the message stick.


Line by Line Meaning

You can't judge an apple by looking at the tree,
The true essence or quality of an apple fruit cannot be determined by merely looking at the tree it grew on.


You can't judge honey by looking at the bee,
The true quality or taste of honey cannot be known by simply looking at the bee that produced it.


You can't judge a daughter by looking at the mother,
The character or abilities of a daughter cannot be determined by merely looking at the mother's attributes.


You can't judge a book by looking at the cover.
The true worth, content, or value of a book cannot be determined by merely looking at its outer cover or appearance.


[Chorus] Oh can't you see, Oh, well, you misjudge me. I look like a farmer, But I'm a lover
The artist of the song is urging the listener not to misjudge them based on their outer appearance as they may be completely different than what they seem. The artist may appear to be a farmer but is actually a lover.


You can't judge a fish by looking in the pond,
The true value or quality of a fish cannot be determined by simply looking at the pond it swims in.


You can't judge right by looking at the wrong,
One cannot determine what is right by merely looking at what is wrong as they may be completely different from each other.


You can't judge one by looking at the other,
One cannot assume the qualities or attributes of one thing by merely looking at another thing as they may be completely different from each other.


You can't judge a book by looking at the cover.
The true worth, content, or value of a book cannot be determined by merely looking at its outer cover or appearance.


[Chorus] Can't judge a book by looking at the cover. Yeah, that's right, That's so good.
The artist reiterates that one cannot determine the true value of a book by merely looking at its outer appearance. The line 'that's so good' may suggest that this is a valuable lesson to learn.


You can't judge sugar by looking at the cane,
The true quality or taste of sugar cannot be determined by simply looking at the cane it was extracted from.


You can't judge a woman by looking at her man,
The character or abilities of a woman cannot be determined by merely looking at the man she is associated with.


You can't judge a sister by looking at her brother,
The character or abilities of a sister cannot be determined by merely looking at the brother she is associated with.


You can't judge a book by looking at the cover.
The true worth, content, or value of a book cannot be determined by merely looking at its outer cover or appearance.


[Chorus] Can't judge a book by looking at the cover.
The chorus repeats the central theme of the song, which is that one cannot determine the true worth or value of something or someone by merely looking at their outer appearance.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Willie Dixon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Anonymous


on Boom Boom

Please note: All the lyrics below were taken from the actual album 1988 Eric Clapton Crossword.

Enjoy

Anonymous


on Boom Boom

01 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - Boom Boom Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads
Boom, boom, boom, boom
I'm gonna shoot you right down
Knock you off your feet
And take you home with me

Put you in my house
Boom, boom, boom, boom
Boom, boom, boom, boom
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I love to see you strut
When you're walking to me
When you're talking to me
That knocks me out
Now let's go

Musical Interlude

Boom, boom, boom, boom
You know I like it like that
With your baby-talk
Oh and the way that you walk

You know it knocks me right down
Knocks me off my feet
Boom, boom, boom, boom
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Oh, oh, oh, oh
How, how, how, how
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Now, now, now, now

Musical Outro

Anonymous


on Boom Boom

02 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - Honey In Your Hips Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads


When I get out on the dancing floor,
There ain't no stopping for an hour or more,
I go rocking up and down and around and round,
I go reeling to the beat of that crazy sound.
I can't stop, I want to kiss your pretty lips,
'Cause I know, pretty babe, you got honey in your hips.

I can't stop my feet and I can't stop my hands,
When I hear the sound of a rock 'n' roll band.
Gotta rock, gotta roll, gonna jump and shout;
Nobody better come and turn me out.
I'm staying all night till I get my kicks,
'Cause you know, pretty babe,
You got honey in your hips.

Musical Interlude

I want you and you want me,
We're gonna dance all night till we both feel free,
We'll shake and we'll shimmy right across the floor,
When it gets late, we'll dance out the door.
You better get ready with your pretty lips,
'Cause you know, pretty babe, you got honey in your hips.

Musical Outro

Anonymous


on Boom Boom

03 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - Baby What's Wrong? Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads


Oh baby, honey what's wrong with you?
Well now baby, honey what's wrong with you?
Well, you don't treat me, baby, like you used to do.

I can't help it, baby, if I'm acting strange.
I'm just hoping, baby, I'm not going insane.
Well baby, honey what's wrong with you?
Well now, you don't treat me, baby, like you used to do.

Musical Interlude

I can't help it, baby, if I'm acting strange.
I'm just hoping, baby, I'm not going insane.
Well baby, honey what's wrong with you?
Well now, you don't treat me, baby, like you used to do.

Oh baby, honey what's wrong with you?
Well now baby, honey what's wrong with you?
Well, you don't treat me, baby, like you used to do.

Musical Outro

Anonymous


on Boom Boom

04 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - I Wish You Would Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads


Early in the morning, 'bout the break of day,
That's when my baby went away.
Come back, baby, I wish you would,
Try and love me, you won't do no good.

Walking and a-kissing late at night;
I tell you now baby, I feel just right.
Come now baby, whatcha trying to do?
Trying to love me and some other man, too.

Come now baby, give me one more chance.
You know I still love you, want to give you romance.
Yeah romance, all night long, in my arms, woah yeah.

Musical Interlude

Early in the morning, 'bout the break of day,
That's when my baby went away.
Come back, baby, I wish you would,
Try and love me, you won't do no good.

You know baby that I love you so.
You know, pretty baby, it hurts me to see you go.
Oh yeah, oh yeah.

Anonymous


on Boom Boom

05 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - A Certain Girl Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads


There's a certain girl I've been in love with a long, long time.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
I can't reveal her name until I've got her.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
Well, I've tried to get her time and time again.
We just end up as nothing but friends.
And there's a certain girl I've been in love with a long, long time.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
Well, there's a certain chick I've been sweet on since I met her.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
I can't repeat her name until I get her.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
Well one day, I'm gonna wake up and say,
"I'll do anything just to be your slave."
And there's a certain girl I've been in love with a long, long time.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)

Musical Interlude

Well, I've tried to get her time and time again.
We just end up as nothing but friends.
And there's a certain girl I've been in love with a long, long time.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
There's a certain chick I've been sweet on since I found her.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
I can't reveal her name until I get her.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
Well now one day, get her time and time again.
We just end up as nothing but friends.
And there's a certain girl I've been in love with a long, long time.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
I can't tell you. (No!)
I can't tell you. (No!)
I can't tell you.

Anonymous


on Boom Boom

06 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - Good Morning Little Schoolgirl Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads


Good morning, little schoolgirl
Good morning, little schoolgirl
Can I go home with you
Won't you let me go home with you
So I can hug, hug, squeeze, squeeze
If you let me I can tease you baby
Hey, hey hey hey. Hey hey hey hey. Hey, yeah

Let's dance, little schoolgirl
Let's dance, little schoolgirl
Won't you let me take you to the hop, hop
Have a party at the soda shop
So we can do the twist, do the stroll
To the music of the rock 'n' roll
Hey, hey hey hey. Hey hey hey hey. Hey, yeah

Musical Interlude

Good morning, little schoolgirl
Good morning, little schoolgirl
Can I go home with you
Won't you let me go home with you
So I can hug, hug, squeeze, squeeze
If you let me I can tease you baby
Hey, hey hey hey. Hey hey hey hey. Hey, yeah

Good morning, little schoolgirl
Good morning, little schoolgirl
Can I go home with you?
Won't you let me go home with you?
Tell your mama and your papa that I love you
Tell your sisters and your brother that I love you
Hey, hey hey hey. Hey, hey hey hey
Hey, hey hey hey. Hey, hey hey hey

Anonymous


on Boom Boom

07 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - I Ain't Got You Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads


I got a Maserati G.T.
With snakeskin upholstery.
I got a charge account at Goldblatt's
But I ain't got you.

I got a closet full of clothes,
But no matter where it goes,
It keeps a ring in the nose,
But I ain't got you.

I got a tavern and a liquor store.
I play the numbers, yeah, four forty-four.
I got a mojo, yeah, don't you know,
I'm all dressed up with no place to go.

I got women to the right of me.
I got women to the left of me.
I got women all around me,
But I ain't got you.
No, I ain't got you.

Musical Interlude

I got a tavern and a liquor store.
I play the numbers, yeah, four forty-four.
I got a mojo, yeah, don't you know,
I'm all dressed up with no place to go.

I got women to the right of me.
I got women to the left of me.
I got women all around me,
But I ain't got you.
No, I ain't got you.
No, I ain't got you

Anonymous


on Boom Boom

08 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - For Your Love Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads


For your love.
For your love.
For your love.
I'd give you everything and more, and that's for sure.
For your love.
I'd bring you diamond rings and things right to your door.
For your love.

To thrill you with delight,
I'll give you diamonds bright.
There'll be things that will excite,
To make you dream of me at night.

For your love.
For your love.
For your love.

For your love, for your love,
I would give the stars above.
For your love, for your love,
I would give you all I could.

For your love.
For your love.
For your love.
I'd give the moon if it were mine to give.
For your love.
I'd give the stars and the sun 'fore I live.
For your love.

To thrill you with delight,
I'll give you diamonds bright.
There'll be things that will excite,
To make you dream of me at night.

For your love.
For your love.
For your love.
For your love.

Anonymous


on Boom Boom

09 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - Got To Hurry Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads


This is an Instrumental

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