Her singing talent has lent itself to a wide range of genres, although earlier works, such as 'Angel With a Lariat' and 'Absolute Torch and Twang' (the last of which won her a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance) were predominantly country, with hints of jazz and salsa. Later works, including Ingénue and All You Can Eat, were more pop-ish in execution. No matter the genre, all left her talent undeniable. She has since garnered four grammys and many other awards, and was even made an officer of the Order of Canada in 1996, Canada's highest civilian honour.
You're OK
k.d. lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For I have brought myself before you
Nakedly awaiting you're okay
Now could I be that I annoy you
Flaunting ways that I adore you
I have no control here either way
I awake at night with it
It unravels me
It's begun to frighten me
Is it so that my persistence
Blocks the path of least resistance?
Maybe I'm just getting in your way
But I'm alright
If you're okay
I'm alright
If you're okay
Can you offer some assistance?
Let me in on how for instance
I should be convincing you to sway
I awake at night with it
And in spite of it, it unravels me
It's begun to frighten me
But I'm alright
If you're okay
Yeah, I'm alright
The song "You're OK" by k.d. lang is a melancholic ballad that deals with feelings of insecurity and self-doubt in a romantic relationship. The lyrics speak to the singer's fears and anxieties about annoying her partner and not measuring up to their expectations. She is wrought with paranoia and feels nakedly vulnerable, "awaiting [their] okay," which could mean their approval or acceptance.
The singer is aware that her own persistence and flaunting of her love may be getting in the way of the path of least resistance in the relationship. However, she still desires to be convincing and sway her partner to see things her way. The repetition of the lines "I'm alright if you're okay" highlight the importance of the partner's affirmation and how it affects the singer's sense of self-worth.
The chorus of the song is poignant and reflective, with the singer acknowledging the power dynamic in their relationship. She is dependent on her partner's validation to feel secure, even though on the surface, she may appear to have things under control. The repeated line "I awake at night with it, and in spite of it, it unravels me, it's begun to frighten me" showcases the internal conflict and anxiety that is eating away at the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
I am wrought with paranoia
I'm filled with anxiety and fear, consumed by a constant feeling of suspicion or distrust.
For I have brought myself before you
I have opened myself up and shown you my vulnerabilities, leaving myself open to judgement and rejection.
Nakedly awaiting you're okay
I am completely exposed, vulnerable and unprotected, relying on your acceptance and approval to give me emotional security.
Now could I be that I annoy you
I'm aware that my presence could be bothersome or irritating to you, and I'm questioning whether I'm causing negative emotions in you.
Flaunting ways that I adore you
I'm showing off openly and boldly the things that I love and admire about you, without any inhibition or fear.
I have no control here either way
I'm acknowledging that I have no power over the situation and the way you feel, whether my actions and words are helping or not.
Is it so that my persistence
I'm questioning whether my relentless determination is causing problems or conflicts in our relationship.
Blocks the path of least resistance?
Could it be that I'm obstructing the easiest way for us to connect and understand each other?
Maybe I'm just getting in your way
I'm considering the possibility that my presence is a hindrance to you and I'm interfering with your wishes and desires.
I awake at night with it
I'm constantly restless, unable to peacefully sleep or relax because of the turmoil in my mind and my emotions.
And in spite of it
Despite my attempts to deal with it, things are still falling apart and I'm struggling to cope with the stress and anxiety.
It unravels me
The fear, uncertainty and pressure are causing me to lose control and unravel, unable to maintain a sense of emotional stability.
It's begun to frighten me
The intensity and magnitude of my feelings are overwhelming me and I'm beginning to feel scared and powerless.
Can you offer some assistance?
I'm asking for help and support, hoping that you can offer me guidance or advice to alleviate the struggles and hardships I'm facing.
Let me in on how for instance
Can you tell me how, for example, I could change my behavior or actions in order to satisfy and please you?
I should be convincing you to sway
I'm thinking that my job is to persuade you to change your mind or behavior, in order to fit my preferences and priorities.
But I'm alright if you're okay
I have come to peace with the fact that my own well-being and happiness is directly related to your contentment and satisfaction.
Yeah, I'm alright
Despite the chaos and turbulence in my mind, I will be alright as long as you are doing well and happy.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: K. D. LANG, BENJAMIN MINK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@silviatropini4959
I am wrought with paranoia
for I have brought myself before you
nakedly awaiting you're ok
could I be that I annoy you
flaunting ways that I adore you
I have no control here either way
I awake at night with it
and in spite of it
it unravels me
it's begun to frighten
is it so that my persistence
blocks the path of least resistance
maybe I'm just getting in your way
but i'm alright
if you're ok
Can you offer some assistance
Let me in on how for instance
I should be convincing you to sway
I awake at night with it
and in spite of it
it unravels me
it's begun to frighten me
but I'm alright
if you're ok
I'm alright if you're ok
@joeschmoe373
This is the most relaxing mosh-pit song out there.
@sharpclay
K d Lang is a true artist who paints masterpieces with her voice instead of a brush. The world is definitely a better place with her in it.
@kerrib1474
See her live then tell me there is anyone on earth with a better voice
@laurenwatson3841
I ageee. Her recorded songs don't do her voice justice. I mean yes her records are perfect and as is her voice. But when i started watching her live performances my jaw dropped. She really shows off her range and talent live.
@BlueMondayMo
It's great when you hear somebody you have never met sing songs that perfectly describe the way you felt at a certain moment in your life... K.D. Lang does that for me with every song.
@daggettsmydog
God...everything she does is so rich. Beautiful song.
@katiafry6623
She's so beautiful in this video. Hell, she's beautiful in every video and with a voice that does things!
@GUNN666economy
I'm a 17 years old and even i cannot resist, her. The looks, the voice, everything - gorgeous!
@hjlee21
voice of an angel....so sweet
@stephanieroberts1157
I saw her 3 times in the UK when she was promoting the All You Can Eat Tour and wish there were more videos from this album... so many great, great songs.