Not Me
gary Lyrics


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Welcome friends to lockdown
I think you'll learn to like it here
Time flies and that's how fifteen days
Turned into a whole year
I know it might seem challenging
To stay cooped up inside
And so that we can help you
We've composed this little guide
Rules for thee, not for me
Don't question our authority
You're our greatest priority
We're just looking out for you
Rules for thee, not for me
Don't accuse us of hypocrisy
As we force you into poverty
There's nothing you can do
Adam's been arrested
For making food to eat
While Costco's parking lot is full
Just down the other street
And Marsden can't open her bar
Even though it is outside
But the film crew can be catered to
In a tent set up beside
Rules for thee, not for me
Don't question our authority
You're our greatest priority
We're just looking out for you
Rules for thee, not for me
Don't accuse us of hypocrisy
As we force you into poverty
There's nothing you can do
Nancy's got a bitchin' hairdo
Shoulda seen that mess before
And mayor Stewart's eating out
With seven friends or more
And Newsom's the life of the party
At an important affair
And Whitmer says you're killing gran
Then put the virus in long term care
Rules for thee, not for me
Don't question our authority
You're our greatest priority
we're just looking out for you
Rules for thee, not for me
Don't accuse us of hypocrisy
As we force you into poverty
There's nothing you can do
Rules for thee
Rules for thee
Rules for thee




Rules for thee
Not for me

Overall Meaning

The song "Not Me" by Gary is about a man who travels to different states in the United States and encounters different situations. The song starts in California, where the man describes a pretty girl he used to know who invites him over to her place while her husband is away. The man hesitates because he has heard about the husband being a boxer, but the girl assures him not to worry. He then travels to Alabama, where people call him "Cat the Clown" and try to start a fight with him, but he refuses to engage because he is not a boxer. Finally, the man ends up in his hometown of Virginia where he has a reputation and is content to stay with his partner.


The song is about the importance of self-awareness and knowing one's limitations. The singer realizes that getting into a fight with a boxer or confronting troublemakers in small towns is not worth it. He understands that it is better to avoid dangerous situations than to jump into them recklessly. The repeated line "Not me, no not me" emphasizes this theme of self-preservation.


Line by Line Meaning

Ya-Da-da-da-da-dat, dat-dat-dat-dat, Ya-Da-da-da-da-dat-dat-dat-dat-dat
The song starts with a fun sound that doesn't carry any meaning


Well its down in California where the orange trees grow
The singer is in California, specifically where orange trees grow


And theres a pretty little girl that he used to know
The singer knows a girl in California whom he finds attractive


Well he called me everyday about a quarter to one
The girl and the singer talk frequently


She said Come on over daddy lets have some fun
The girl invites the singer to come over and hang out


He said, I heard about your husband is he back from the gym?
The singer knows the girl is married and asks about her husband's whereabouts


She said,Come on over daddy dont you worry bout him
The girl reassures the singer not to worry about her husband and to come over anyways


Not me, no not me -- I aint no boxer
The singer declares that he doesn't fight, he's not a boxer


A not me, a no not me
Reaffirmation that the singer doesn't fight


Now I'm down in Alabama where they say you were
The singer is now in Alabama, where he heard someone talking about a person he knows


Where they dance all around until they have a ball
Alabama has a lively culture with dancing and parties


Where we saw down in the village they were gathered around
In a village in Alabama, people were gathered around for something


And then they looked at him, they called him Cat the Clown
The singer met a man who was nicknamed Cat the Clown by the locals


He said Now wait a minute Buster, you didnt call me right
Cat the Clown didn't agree with the way the singer addressed him


They said What youre tryin to do, boy is start alittle fight?
The locals thought that the singer was trying to start a fight


Not me Not me, no not me I aint no boxer
The singer reaffirms that he doesn't fight and he's not a boxer


Not me, no not me, not me, no not me
Reaffirmation that the singer doesn't fight


Well now I'm back in Virginia back in his home town
The singer is now back at home in Virginia


A where I'm got a reputation from a miles around
The singer is known in Virginia as someone with a reputation


Yeah, and never no more will he ever roam
The singer will no longer leave Virginia


Oh Virginia
A simple expression referring to Virginia


You know I'm stickin right there a to his happy home
The singer is content to stay at home in Virginia


Oh well a fella walked up to him he said lets make a trip
A man approaches the singer and suggests a trip


He said You better shut-up before I bust you in your lip
The man threatens the singer and tells him to be quiet


Not me, not me, no not me
The singer won't fight and is not intimidated


He aint got to go nowhere!
The singer is content staying where he is


Uh-huh, not my baby!
The singer is protective of someone called 'baby'


You know you been hurt out there on that road!
The singer suggests that the person he's talking to has been hurt while traveling




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Gary Jackson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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