I would say I'm sorry
If I thought that it would change your mind
But I know that this time
I have said too much
Been too unkind

I tried to laugh about it
Cover it all up with lies
I tried to laugh about it
Hiding the tears in my eyes
'Cause boys don't cry
Boys don't cry

I would break down at your feet
And beg forgiveness, plead with you
But I know that it's too late
And now there's nothing I can do

So I try to laugh about it
Cover it all up with lies
I try to laugh about it
Hiding the tears in my eyes
'Cause boys don't cry
Boys don't cry

I would tell you that I loved you
If I thought that you would stay
But I know that it's no use
And you've already gone away

Misjudged your limits
Pushed you too far
Took you for granted
Thought that you needed me more, more, more

Now I would do most anything
To get you back by my side
But I just keep on laughing
Hiding the tears in my eyes
'Cause boys don't cry
Boys don't cry

Boys don't cry


Lyrics submitted by antispork

Boys Don't Cry Lyrics as written by Michael Stephen Dempsey Laurence Andrew Tolhurst

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Boys Don't Cry song meanings
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82 Comments

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  • +10
    General Comment

    I love this song. . . it displays one of the Cure's greatest abilities- hiding a heartbreaking song behind a catchy chorus and melody. He's saying that he'll do anything to make up for what he's done to his girl, but he knows that there's nothing he can do to make things better. He's trying to be tough by saying "boys don't cry" but at the same time his heart is breaking.

    LittleUrantiaGirlon July 03, 2003   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    Misjudged your limits Pushed you too far Took you for granted I thought that you needed me more

    -these are my favorite lines and the ones i can relate to way too much. this song makes me sad. failed relationships are one of the most written about topics and this song is one of my favorite. the cure's songs are all very wonderful.

    xprettyinpinkxon March 31, 2003   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    This song is so confusing because the music is very upbeat while the lyrics are quite depressing but I think that the obvious contrast is what makes it so beautiful.

    luvmegon August 02, 2007   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    i think some people think oh its so obvious its just about how boys dont cry, but i think its a really ironic song (and yes i know so many of you have figured that out) but i thinks beautiful and hes really saying he did cry about it, I also think theres some straight truth to the line that boys dont cry, as some people see it as a weakness and so he may have felt that he couldnt cry in front of her, because of how people see it as a weakness.....

    fleaaaaaaon July 29, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    there is no real hidden meaning to this song its pretty obvious...but it is one of the catchiest and most fun songs in the world.

    dysphoriaon April 17, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This song is sooo neat. He's apologizing for being an ass to his chick, who wouldn't want that?

    DADSonACIDon June 12, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I'm surprised no one else looks at this in my way, I believe he's explaining all the things he does or has to do, simply because society believes 'boys don't cry' or shouldn't. If you simply place quote marks over the 'because boys don't cry'. and Imagine Robert mimicking society saying this. the song becomes clear in my opinion

    YouLittlePunkon December 05, 2015   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    first time i heard this song i fell in love with it...its an amazing song and somehow sounds different than most bands.

    i saw my dad cry once...that has to count for something

    PuNkS*r*Uson June 30, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I agree with fleaaaaaa. It's about a guy trying to act the way society expects guys to act, ie, not crying, by just laughing it off and pretending that he doesn't care, when, in fact, he is devastated and choking back tears. A very sweet song.

    SiouxsieKittenon June 04, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    tgd, i think you've made an interesting point. For me, it seems very clear that this song is about a guy who didn't treat his girl well at all and takes her for granted. After she leaves him, he realises what he lost, but pretends it doesn't bother him.

    petrolwodkaginon December 30, 2004   Link

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