The line-up was Holly Golightly, Kyra LaRubia and Ludella Black. Bongo Debbie often performed songs with the band when they played live (she left in 1999).
Don't Wanna Hold Your Hand
Thee Headcoatees Lyrics
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I'll tell you something
Don't think you'll understand
When I say that something
Don't wanna hold your hand
Oh please
You gonna be my man
And please, don't say to me
You'll let me hold your hand
Let me hold your hand
And when you touch me
I feel rotten inside
It's such a feeling that my, hey
I can't hide
Yeah, you
You got that something
I think you'll understand
When I, I feel that something
Don't wanna hold your hand
And when you touch me
I feel rotten inside
It's such a feeling that my, hey
I can't hide
Yeah, you
You got that something
I think you'll understand
When I, I say that something
Don't wanna hold your hand
The Thee Headcoatees's song Don't Wanna Hold Your Hand presents a defiant response to unwanted advances. The song can be read as a feminist critique of male entitlement to female bodies. The verse "Oh please/Don't say to me/You gonna be my man" can be understood as a rejection of the male assumption that they have the right to claim a woman as their own. The line "And when you touch me/I feel rotten inside/It's such a feeling that my, hey/I can't hide" suggests that the female protagonist is repulsed by the physical contact because it is unwanted.
The chorus reinforces the message of the song, with the lines "When I say that something/Don't wanna hold your hand" indicating a clear boundary set by the singer. The repetition of the lines "Yeah, you/You got that something/I think you'll understand" is sarcastic, as it suggests that the male protagonist cannot comprehend the female protagonist's agency and autonomy.
Overall, the song powerfully asserts the right of women to control their own bodies and decisions. It is an anthem of female empowerment that challenges patriarchal norms that dictate women should be passive recipients of male attention.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah
An expression of affirmation and agreement
I'll tell you something
I have something to say to you
Don't think you'll understand
I don't think you'll be able to comprehend or relate to what I'm about to say
When I say that something
Referring to the previous line, when I say what I'm about to say
Don't wanna hold your hand
I don't want to hold your hand or engage in physical contact with you
Oh please
An expression of pleading or begging
Don't say to me
Do not express or communicate to me
You gonna be my man
Do not suggest that we are romantically involved or dating
And please, don't say to me
Repetition of previous line for emphasis
You'll let me hold your hand
Please do not offer or ask for physical contact or affection
Let me hold your hand
Reiteration of the previous line, expressing a disinterest in holding hands
And when you touch me
Referring to physical contact from earlier lines
I feel rotten inside
It makes me feel unpleasant or uncomfortable
It's such a feeling that my, hey
The feeling of discomfort is so strong that it makes me say 'hey'
I can't hide
I cannot conceal or suppress my discomfort
Yeah, you
Referring to the person they are addressing
You got that something
You possess a certain quality or characteristic
I think you'll understand
I believe you will comprehend or recognize what I'm expressing
When I, I feel that something
When I experience that certain quality or characteristic in you
Don't wanna hold your hand
Reiteration of earlier line expressing disinterest in physical contact
Writer(s): billy childish
Contributed by Ruby S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.