Come Back Baby
Walter Becker & Donald Fagen Lyrics
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I don't like wondering why
I got no mercy for a man and his tears
He's just living a lie
I got a feeling like I'm losing my cool
That's no way to be
You got me crying got me playing the fool
That's what you're doing to me
I don't want to say how long it's been
Five days and I gotta know now
Come back baby
I don't want to live alone again
My old man never thought me how
I don't like lying all alone in my bed
Nobody calling my name
I can't say thank you for a kick in the head
But I need you just the same
See me sitting by the side of the road
People staring and smiling
They got no mercy for a man and his tears
Can't you hear me cry
You gotta come back baby
I don't want to say how long it's been
Five days and I gotta know now
Come back baby
I don't want to live alone again
My old man never thought me how
The lyrics to Walter Becker and Donald Fagen's song "Come Back Baby" tell a story of heartbreak and longing for a lost lover. The singer is not the type of person who enjoys waiting around for someone to come back to them, but they are feeling the pain of being without their lover. The first verse expresses the frustration of waiting and not knowing why their lover has left. The singer has no sympathy for a man who cries because he is living a lie. The second verse shows the singer's vulnerability; they feel like they are losing control and being played for a fool. They want their lover to come back and end the pain they are feeling. The chorus repeats the urgency of the plea for the lover to come back. The singer doesn't want to be alone again and needs their partner to return to them. The final verse talks about the humiliation the singer feels as they sit by the side of the road, crying over their lost love, and people are staring and smiling at them.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't like waiting for a knock on the door
I find it uncomfortable to wait for a surprise visit to happen.
I don't like wondering why
I dislike being uncertain or perplexed.
I got no mercy for a man and his tears
I am not forgiving towards a man who cries, assuming it is just an act.
He's just living a lie
I believe his tears are not genuine, and he is pretending for some hidden purpose.
I got a feeling like I'm losing my cool
I feel like I am gradually losing my composure or self-control.
That's no way to be
That state of mind is not acceptable or desirable.
You got me crying got me playing the fool
You have made me weep and look foolish for falling under your control.
That's what you're doing to me
You are causing me to have these negative emotions and behaviors.
You gotta come back baby
I implore you to return to me.
I don't want to say how long it's been
I prefer not to mention how much time has passed since you left.
Five days and I gotta know now
It has been five days, and I need an answer immediately.
Come back baby
Please come back to me.
I don't want to live alone again
It is intolerable for me to be alone again.
My old man never thought me how
My father never taught me how to cope with being alone.
I don't like lying all alone in my bed
I dislike having to deceive myself as I lie in bed alone at night.
Nobody calling my name
Nobody is seeking my attention.
I can't say thank you for a kick in the head
I cannot express gratitude for a painful blow to my mind or heart.
But I need you just the same
However, I still desperately need you in my life.
See me sitting by the side of the road
Observe me sitting beside the road by myself.
People staring and smiling
Onlookers are observing me, apparently amused.
They got no mercy for a man and his tears
They have no compassion for a man who cries.
Can't you hear me cry
Are you not aware or moved by my weeping?
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: Donald Fagen, Walter Becker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind