Don't You Want Me
Various Artists Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
When I met you
I picked you out, I shook you up, I turned you around
Turned you into someone new

Now five years later on, you've got the world at your feet
Success has been so easy for you
But don't forget it's me who put you where you are now
And I can put you back down too

Don't, don't you want me?
You know I can't believe it when I hear that you won't see me
Don't, don't you want me?
You know I don't believe you when you say that you don't need me

It's much too late to find
When you think you've changed your mind
You'd better change it back or we will both be sorry

Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh

I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
That much is true
But even then I knew I'd find a much better place
Either with or without you

The five years we have had have been such good at times
I still love you
But now I think it's time I lived my life on my own
I guess it's just what I must do

Don't, don't you want me?
You know I can't believe it when I hear that you won't see me
Don't, don't you want me?
You know I don't believe you when you say that you don't need me

It's much too late find
When you think you've changed your mind
You'd better change it back or we will both be sorry

Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh

Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh

Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh





Don't you want me, baby?

Overall Meaning

The song "Don't You Want Me" by Various Artists is about the breakup of a working relationship between two people. The singer, who was the boss or the leader in the relationship, finds it hard to accept the fact that, after being together for five years, the other person feels like they no longer need the singer. The singer is trying to persuade the other person to change their mind and come back to them, stating that they were the one who helped shape and mold them into the successful person they are today.


The lyrics reveal the power dynamics that exist in a relationship or a workplace. The singer portrays themselves as the one who had control over the other person, as they "picked [them] out" and "turned [them] around." The other person, who originally started as a waitress and was transformed into "someone new," has now achieved success on their own. The singer, however, feels like they still hold power over the other person, stating that they "can put [them] back down too."


The chorus of "Don't You Want Me" is pleading and emotional, with the singer asking if the other person still wants them. The repetition of "don't you want me" and the vocal inflection in the chorus are powerful and drive home the request to the other person. The final stanza from the other person's point of view explains that even though they still love the singer, they need to move on with their own life. They are regretful that they did not change their mind earlier but it is "much too late to find" a way to get back together.


Overall, "Don't You Want Me" is a song about power dynamics in relationships and the difficulties of moving on after a breakup. It shows how one person's success can lead to resentment and how love and heartbreak can be intertwined.


Line by Line Meaning

You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
You had a low-paying job and were not in a position of power


When I met you
I am the one who discovered you


I picked you out, I shook you up, I turned you around
I manipulated you and transformed you into a different person


Turned you into someone new
I completely changed your life and identity


Now five years later on, you've got the world at your feet
You have become successful and powerful


Success has been so easy for you
You did not have to work hard to achieve your success


But don't forget it's me who put you where you are now
You owe your success to me and my actions


And I can put you back down too
I have the power to take away your success and bring you down


Don't, don't you want me?
Don't you still want me in your life?


You know I can't believe it when I hear that you won't see me
I am surprised and hurt that you are avoiding me


You know I don't believe you when you say that you don't need me
I refuse to accept that you can succeed without me


It's much too late to find
It is too late to change our situation


When you think you've changed your mind
When you start to have doubts about our relationship


You'd better change it back or we will both be sorry
You need to go back to our previous dynamic or we will both face consequences


I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
I was in a low-paying job and not in a position of power


That much is true
I am not denying my past


But even then I knew I'd find a much better place
I had ambition and believed I could do better


Either with or without you
I was willing to succeed with or without your help


The five years we have had have been such good at times
Our time together has been mostly positive


I still love you
My feelings for you have not completely disappeared


But now I think it's time I lived my life on my own
I need to be independent and live life on my own terms


I guess it's just what I must do
I have made a decision and must stick to it


Don't, don't you want me?
Don't you still want me in your life?


You know I can't believe it when I hear that you won't see me
I am surprised and hurt that you are avoiding me


You know I don't believe you when you say that you don't need me
I refuse to accept that you can succeed without me


It's much too late find
It is too late to change our situation


When you think you've changed your mind
When you start to have doubts about our relationship


You'd better change it back or we will both be sorry
You need to go back to our previous dynamic or we will both face consequences


Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you still want me in your life?


Don't you want me? Oh
I am pleading with you to want me


Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you still want me in your life?


Don't you want me? Oh
I am pleading with you to want me


Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you still want me in your life?


Don't you want me? Oh
I am pleading with you to want me


Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you still want me in your life?


Don't you want me? Oh
I am pleading with you to want me




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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@mathewhorodner2000

You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
When I met you
I picked you out, I shook you up
And turned you around
Turned you into someone new
Now five years later on you've got the world at your feet
Success has been so easy for you
But don't forget it's me who put you where you are now
And I can put you back down too.

I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
That much is true
But even then I knew I'd find a much better place
Either with or without you
The five years we have had have been such good at times
I still love you
But now I think it's time I lived my life on my own
I guess it's just what I must do



@TheRealForrestGeorge

You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
When I met you
I picked you out, I shook you up
And turned you around
Turned you into someone new
Now five years later on you've got the world at your feet
Success has been so easy for you
But don't forget it's me who put you where you are now
And I can put you back down too.

Don't. Don't you want me?
You know I can't believe it when I hear that you won't see me
Don't. Don't you want me?
You know I don't believe you when you say that you don't need me

It's much too late to find
When you think you've changed your mind
You'd better change it back or we will both be sorry

Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh!
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh!

I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
That much is true
But even then I knew I'd find a much better place
Either with or without you
The five years we have had have been such good at times
I still love you
But now I think it's time I lived my life on my own
I guess it's just what I must do

Don't. Don't you want me?
You know I can't believe it when I hear that you won't see me
Don't. Don't you want me?
You know I don't believe you when you say that you don't need me

It's much too late find
When you think you've changed your mind
You'd better change it back or we will both be sorry

Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh!
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh!

[REPEAT x3]
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh!
Don't you want me, baby?
Don't you want me? Oh!



All comments from YouTube:

@jdz9952

YouTube is the closest thing to a time machine

@jeremyhall2727

Yeah last year I watch a Russia cartoon from the 1970's. Because another video said it was scary

@notoriousburrito6063

It is

@wildbill5670

I do. I want to go back to the 60's.

@neddyconstant5816

This song RULES
Merry Christmas Everyone
Time 4:16AM Fri 12/25/20

@TheDarkDutchman

Yes, it's been said many times before.

162 More Replies...

@TheArtofGuitar

The tragedy of growing up in the 80’s is you didn’t realize at the time how awesome it was, and when you finally do it’s already over.

@m_christine8777

The 90s were also great

@BeukendaalMason

Yup, great music, great movies, and big shoulder pads in everyones clothes...

@mrducks8194

Thats generslly about life, you are young and before you know it, you are 40. Enjoy the moment

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