Plum won Triple J's National Indigenous Music Awards competition in 2012 and was nominated for a Deadly in Most Promising New Talent in Music and for an Unearthed J Award. She has toured around Australia and has been on rotation nationally on Triple J.
How Much Does Your Love Cost
Thelma Plum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't speak, you said I have your love, and how much it will cost,
Mama told me, when I was a baby, I'd love you but I don't,
Don't speak, I hope you're happy, 'cause I think I payed what you want,
In Thelma Plum's song 'How Much Does Your Love Cost', she talks about the price one has to pay for love. In the opening lines, she mentions how her mother always advised her to be happy, as one can always achieve what they desire. However, in the following lines, Thelma reveals how her lover seems to be asking for a price for their love. Even though he claims to love her, he mentions that she has to pay for it. She is confused and hurt as she doesn't understand why someone would demand a price for love. The lyrics suggest that for some people, love is a commodity that can be traded or sold. Thelma's lover seems to be making her pay to be loved, and it is not clear what the price is or if she can ever truly pay it.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that Thelma is questioning the authenticity of her lover's feelings. She mentions how her mother had told her that she would always love her, but in reality, she doesn't feel that way about her partner. Thelma has come to realize that the love she thought they had was not genuine and that she had been paying for it all along. The song suggests that love should be given freely without any price tag, and Thelma is hurt that her partner could not provide that.
Overall, 'How Much Does Your Love Cost' is a heartbreaking song that highlights the commercialization of love and how it can be used as a commodity. Thelma Plum beautifully captures the emotions of someone who has been hurt by a partner who is more interested in financial gain than genuine feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama told me to be happy, 'cause you always get what you want,
My mother advised me to always try to be happy because when you pursue what you desire, you will eventually get it.
Don't speak, you said I have your love, and how much it will cost,
You told me the price of your love, but commanded me not to speak about it. You made it clear that acquiring your love was not free.
Mama told me, when I was a baby, I'd love you but I don't,
My mother prophesized that I would fall in love with you when I was still a child, but now that I'm grown up, I realize that I don't actually love you.
Don't speak, I hope you're happy, 'cause I think I paid what you want,
Despite my uncertainty about my feelings for you, I hope that you are satisfied with what I have given you in exchange for your love. I believe that I paid the price you wanted.
Contributed by Alexander I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
abluecassette
I've tried transcribing them. Definitely some huge holes in this, but hope someone else can help.
Mama told me to be happy, 'cause you always get what you want
Don't speak, you said I have your love, but not how much it will cost
Mama told me, when I was a baby, I'd love you but I don't
Don't speak, I hope you're happy, 'cause I think I paid what you want
And by the time I go, your love had been sold to everyone else but me
And maybe when I'm old, I'm speaking lingo you will be willing to see
And we'd be so clear
Trying to colour in a star but it's too dark
And I'll be holy
It's - ??? 'cause you said, it's your party(?!)
How much does your love cost? (x4)
I'm not a soldier, not a fighter
But I will stand my ground
And now I'm older, I'm not your daughter
You don't deserve my love now
And by the time I go, your love had been sold to everyone else but me
And maybe when I'm old, I'm speaking lingo you will be willing to see
And we'd be so clear
Trying to colour in a star but it's too dark
And I'll be holy
It's - ??? 'cause you said, it's your party(?!)
How much does your love cost? (x4)
And I'm the best thing you ever had, but you're too busy burning fires (x4)
How much does your love cost? (x7)
xesce
This song should have gone much further, should have received much more recognition than it did.
xesce
Care to elaborate? Wait, let me guess.
Madi N
This song hits me so hard because it is everything I want to tell my dad.
Kyle Douglas
You should do it. Before they're dead, like mine is. Life sucks all over friend.
Peter Mariner
There's some haunting aspect of Thelma Plum's vocals I can't quote pin down, but I love how she sings. Amazing.
johnny rotten
im surprised this song hasnt gone international yet! pretty much the best song ive heard since nirvana
Kelley Taylor (kelbtaylor)
johnny rotten I'm not surprised it hasn't, do you even know who Nirvana is?
Pat Kennedy
So proud of you Thelma!
Janna Robinson
How in the actual fuck is this song not everywhere? AMAZING.
Ben Sokolow
Janna Robinson Give it 2-3 years