There are other artists with the same name:
2. Tonic is a house music producer.
3. A pop band from Belgium active in the 1980s.
Mean To Me
Tonic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A place that keeps my heart out on it's own
A disconnected function of my wretchedness
That keeps me so hard pressed
It's a place where words are spoken you
Will never hear
A broken bridge of lines that just won't come
An empty lung that won't give the wind
How far can it be from home
Why you gotta be so mean to me
Why you gotta drag me down just to make me see
You know I don't listen good and I'm always in need
So why you gotta be so mean to me
Do you think that it got up and left
For good this time
A crowd of faceless strangers moving on
A feeling that you left it all behind you now
That it doesn't hurt somehow
To know
Why you gotta be so mean to me
Why you gotta drag me down just to make me see
You know I don't listen good and I'm always in need
So why you gotta be so mean to me
So open up the book that you keep deep inside
Let the pages yellow in the sun
Show them that you're not afraid to let them see
How far you can be From home
Why you gotta be so mean to me
Why you gotta drag me down just to make me see
You know I don't listen good and I'm always in need
So why you gotta be so fucking mean to me
Why you gotta be
Why you gotta be
Why you gotta be
Why you gotta be
Why you gotta be
Why you gotta be
Why you gotta be so mean to me
The lyrics to Tonic's "Mean to Me" convey an emotional struggle that is familiar to many people - the feeling of being hurt and disconnected. The singer describes an emptiness inside that is causing them pain and an inability to communicate effectively with others. The use of metaphors such as the "broken bridge of lines that just won't come" and "an empty lung that won't give the wind to speak at me" effectively convey the sense of frustration and isolation the singer is feeling. The central question of the song is directed towards the person causing this pain - "why you gotta be so mean to me?" The singer recognizes their own flaws and admits to not being a good listener, yet the cruelty they are experiencing still feels unjustified.
The final stanza introduces a sense of hope and redemption, urging the listener to "open up the book that you keep deep inside" and let others see the truth of who you are. The use of imagery, such as the pages yellowing in the sun, adds to the feeling of vulnerability and authenticity. Ultimately, the song seems to suggest that the only way to heal the hurt is to be honest and vulnerable with oneself and others.
Line by Line Meaning
There's an empty place inside that is hurting me
I feel a deep, painful emptiness inside me
A place that keeps my heart out on it's own
This emptiness leaves me feeling disconnected and lonely
A disconnected function of my wretchedness
My despair is so all-encompassing that it feels like a part of me
That keeps me so hard pressed
It's a burden that's always weighing me down
It's a place where words are spoken you Will never hear
The pain I feel is so personal and difficult to express that it feels like no one will ever truly understand it
A broken bridge of lines that just won't come
Even if I could find the words to describe my pain, they wouldn't be enough to bridge the gap between us
An empty lung that won't give the wind To speak at me
I feel like I'm suffocating and can't even cry out for help
How far can it be from home
I feel lost and disconnected from everything that used to give me a sense of belonging and comfort
Why you gotta be so mean to me
Why do you have to hurt me when I'm already struggling so much?
Why you gotta drag me down just to make me see
Why do you have to bring me down even further just to get your point across?
You know I don't listen good and I'm always in need
I struggle with listening and understanding, and I often need your help to get by
So why you gotta be so mean to me
So why can't you show me a little kindness and understanding instead of being so hurtful?
So open up the book that you keep deep inside
I urge you to open up and be more vulnerable with me, to share your own struggles and emotions
Let the pages yellow in the sun
Let go of your fear and be willing to let your emotions show, even if it means they may become less fresh or new over time
Show them that you're not afraid to let them see
Demonstrate your courage to be authentic, and don't be afraid to share your true self with others
How far you can be From home
You may feel lost or disconnected from yourself sometimes, but being vulnerable can help you find your way back to yourself
Why you gotta be so fucking mean to me
The hurt and pain you cause me is so intense that it feels unbearable at times
Why you gotta be
Why do you act this way and treat me this way?
Why you gotta be
Why can't you show me kindness and understanding instead of being so mean?
Why you gotta be
Why do you continue to hurt me when I'm already struggling so much?
Why you gotta be
Why can't things be different, and why can't you show me the love and support I need?
Why you gotta be
Why do I have to feel this way, and why can't you help me through it?
Why you gotta be so mean to me
Why do you have to be so hurtful, and why can't we find a way to work through this together?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EMERSON HART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bruins2276
I absolutely LOVE Tonic, they don't get enough credit. They're by far one of my favorite bands 💛
@markhaney4770
All these years later, and the song still gives me goosebumps.
@jpeopolis
I miss these kinds of bands. Totally stripped down. Dedicated more to their music, than their image. Also, they looked like adults. I'm tired of children topping every freakin' Billboard Chart. -Sincerely, an old hag! lol
@DM-uw3zh
Hahaha, from one old hag to another, me too! I wish everyone would just freaking zip it and stop 'riffing' all over the place. Its exhausting
@chuckcabrera1032
That´s because they were real musicians. To write songs is a mix of science and art. Your soul is printed, not money.
@mhuss
Amen jpeopolis!
@jpeopolis
@Mike Alexander I hate myself for typing that now that I'm ACTUALLY a hag! lol I was in my early 20s back then. I was such a nonce! haha
@primadonna.girl.
I’m actually younger than most people here and I love this band!
@Turco949
I loved this band, one of the coolest bands of the 90s. Good music is not always the most popular.
@82pythons85
I don’t know, you must be too young to remember, but Tonic songs like, “If you could only see” were pretty big hits and you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing it. So yeah, I’d say Tonic got their due and more.