Jamie's Cryin'
Van Halen Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

She saw the look in his eyes
And she knew better
He wanted her tonight
And it was now or never
He made her feel so sad

Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'
Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'

Now Jamie wouldn't say, "All right"
She knew he'd forget her
And so they said goodnight
Oh and now he's gone forever

She wants to send him a letter, yeah, yeah
Just to try to make herself feel better
It said, "Give me"
("Give me a call sometime")
But she knows what that'll get her

Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'
Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'

Now Jamie's been in love before
And she knows what love is for
It should mean, a little, a little more
Than one-night stands, whoa

She wants to send him a letter, yeah, yeah
Just to try to make herself feel better
It said, "Give me"
("Give me a call sometime")
But she knows what that'll get her

Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'

Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'
Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'




Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'
Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'

Overall Meaning

Van Halen's "Jamie's Cryin'" is a song about a young woman named Jamie who is being pursued by a man. The song begins with her recognizing the man's intentions and the fact that he wants her tonight. However, she knows that he will forget about her the next day, which makes her feel sad. The chorus repeats the line "Jamie's Cryin'," which is a reference to the fact that she is hurt by the situation, yet still feels somewhat powerless to change it.


As the song progresses, the listener learns that Jamie has been in love before and understands what love should mean. She wants more than just a one-night stand, which is likely why she resists the man's advances. Despite this, in the end, Jamie still wants to reach out to the man and write him a letter. She knows deep down that it won't make a difference, but she wants to try and make herself feel better.


Overall, "Jamie's Cryin'" is a complex song with underlying themes of love and self-worth. It portrays Jamie as a strong young woman who knows what she wants and deserves in a relationship, but is still grappling with her emotions and the power dynamics at play.


Line by Line Meaning

She saw the look in his eyes
Jamie noticed the lustful look in his eyes towards her.


And she knew better
She was aware of his intention to hook up with her.


He wanted her tonight
He had a strong desire to have sex with Jamie tonight.


And it was now or never
He knew he had to make a move tonight or he will miss his chance.


He made her feel so sad
Jamie felt unhappy and dissatisfied with his intentions.


Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'
Jamie is crying due to the sadness and disappointment she feels.


Now Jamie wouldn't say, "All right"
Jamie refused to give in to his advances.


She knew he'd forget her
She believed that he only wanted her for one night and would not care about her afterwards.


And so they said goodnight
They parted ways for the night without any physical intimacy.


Oh and now he's gone forever
He left her life completely after that night.


She wants to send him a letter, yeah, yeah
Jamie desires to communicate with him through a letter.


Just to try to make herself feel better
Writing the letter would help Jamie feel better about the situation.


It said, "Give me"
The letter asked him to contact her.


("Give me a call sometime")
The phrase in the letter requested him to call her sometime.


But she knows what that'll get her
Jamie understands that reaching out to him won't change anything and will do more harm than good.


Now Jamie's been in love before
Jamie has experienced love in the past.


And she knows what love is for
Jamie understands the true meaning of love.


It should mean, a little, a little more
Love should be more than just a one night stand, it should mean something deeper.


Than one-night stands, whoa
Jamie believes that love should not be reduced to casual sex.


Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'
Jamie is still crying over her disappointment and sadness.


Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'
Jamie is still crying over her disappointment and sadness.


Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'
Jamie is still crying over her disappointment and sadness.


Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'
Jamie is still crying over her disappointment and sadness.


Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's cryin'
Jamie is still crying over her disappointment and sadness.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alex Van Halen, Edward Van Halen, David Roth, Michael Anthony

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@lisaedenshaw-krieger4241

So glad I got to see Van Halen at the Boston Garden. July 25th,1981.
It was when i lived on Block Island, Rhode Island that i heard the band was playing.
We stayed at a friend's house in Plymouth ,MA.
I remember David Lee Roth announcement of Eddie getting engaged to Valerie Bertinelli.
How cool to see the journey of both of their success.
To the day, I got to see Van Halen at Seattle Kingdome, July 25th 1991. With Sammy Hagar.
I've missed great artist living in a small town. I got married and be was from South Weymouth.
When I first heard Van Halen, the song was " Jamie's Cryin'"
I've ways listened to Van Halen since. I was 15 years old.
Him and his brother are definitely instrumental talent beyond belief.
I saw a documentary about the brothers.
Alex didn't want to be the lead vocal, later on.
Talented artists they are.
RiP Eddie.



All comments from YouTube:

@Mato1970

Sadly, Jamie isn't the only one crying now. We all are! R.I.P. Eddie Van Halen!

@hafa5539

Facts :(

@bigmesa9460

First song i looked up when i heard the news

@TheBAYOUBRAT

True that !!! Wow !! Rip Eddie Van Halen

@onelostsoul7195

Agreed!!!

@kbusby4824

Too true. I had just recently commented on a thread that one of my first rock concerts was Van Halen's 1980 World Invasion tour (row 4 on the floor but up against the crush barrier the entire show). The highlight of course was when Eddie flicked his guitar pick at me. RIP Mr. Van Halen and thank you for sharing your musical gifts with the world. I feel fortunate to have been in this timeline to hear the best music ever created, 60s - 80s.

59 More Replies...

@Blackshirtsguru

Michael Anthony was so unappreciated in this band! Dude not only could bang on the bass like no other but he had a fantastic voice

@meflove

I read somewhere that the KEY to VH was their bgv's. I can't disagree. Cuz after Michael left it wasn't the same.

@Blackshirtsguru

@@meflove all of those high melodic vocals in the old and new VH were Michael Anthony's for the most part.

@jerrygannonjr8284

When we did covers, I was Michael, proudly, with my bottle, lol, Lisa

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