I tried to do handstands for you
I tried to do headstands for you
Every time I fell on you yeah every time I fell
I tried to do handstands for you
But every time I fell for you
I'm permanently black and blue, permanently blue
For you

I tried to do handstands for you
I tried to do headstands for you
Every time I fell on you yeah every time I fell
I tried to do handstands for you but every time I fell for you
I'm permanently black and blue, permanently blue

For you ooh
For you ooh
So black and blue ooh
For you ooh

I grabbed some frozen strawberries so I could ice your bruising knees
But frozen things they all unfreeze and now I taste like
All those frozen strawberries I used to chill your bruising knees
Hot July ain't good to me
I'm pink and black and blue (For you)

I got bruises on my knees for you
And grass stains on my knees for you
Got holes in my new jeans for you
Got pink and black and blue

Got bruises on my knees for you
And grass stains on my knees for you
Got holes in my new jeans for you
Got pink and black and blue

For you ooh
For you ooh
So black and blue ooh
For you ooh

Do doo do do do
Do doo do do do
Do doo do do do
Do doo do do do
Do doo do do do
Do doo do do do
Do doo do do do
Do doo do do do


Lyrics submitted by allangles

Bruises Lyrics as written by Jonathan Wimberly Aaron Davis

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group

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Bruises song meanings
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60 Comments

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  • +12
    General Comment

    Why can't the lyric just be about doing real handstands?

    I imagine just a little girl in a playground doing handstands to win the attention of a boy. When he starts singing, it's like it's when they're older, and together, and he's only just realising all the times she wanted him to notice her, and now that he realises this, he appreciates her more and does more nice things for the girl.

    Too innocent? Maybe. But so is the song.

    polkadot.peekabooon November 18, 2008   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    This song means a lot to me, because i'm in a relationship like this. :)

    I think this song is about love, and about how sometimes you'll do anything to make the other person in the relationship happy, even if means doing difficult things and having to say "I'm sorry"(example-doing handstands when you can't, trying to ice each others bruises, etc). I think the bruises might symbolize the marks that your significant other can leave on you, good or bad. The girl starts off by singing to her lover that she's constantly black and blue for him, meaning that he's left his mark on her for forever basically.

    Later on, the boy sings back about how he wants to fix the "bad" bruises he left on her with the frozen strawberries, which means to fix their problems or maybe be forgiven for past mistakes. (It kinda seems like she the one doing all the "handstands" or putting all the effort into the relationship, but that's just my personal opinion though, lol) He admits that he's black and blue for her too, and the feelings are mutual. 
    
    Those feelings are good feelings though, because the repetition of how black and blue they both are makes it seem like the boy and girl are incredibly happy with each other, good and bad, in the end. The dark bruises and holey jeans are the hard times they've shared, but these are intertwined with the grass stains and pink bruises, which is the fun and joy they've had.

    Basically, it's about loving each other, remembering everything, and working through the good and bad. It's Commitment. :)

    nickifofickyon September 25, 2008   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    To me it's about trying to impress the boy or girl you love by doing crazy things you just can't do, but they're just like "Hey, you don't have to impress me. I love you already."

    wind-up*sushion October 13, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    MAN I JUST LOVE THIS SONG HOW ITS TALKING BOUT THE GIRLS ALWAYS DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE THINGS FOR THE GUYS AND THE GUYS NEVER NOTICING IT THATS SO THRU

    BGirlMach1on March 17, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    the song IS simple. haha. its very cute :)

    it just means loving someone. how you keep falling for someone over and over again eventhough they might hurt you or what not.

    the bruises signify the times they fell over again for that person. cute :)

    xbrokensoundsxon September 18, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    adorable. unrequited love!

    kneeseeon September 24, 2008   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion

    I enjoy this song, it's really cute. I think that, whether or not you go with the giving head interpretation, it's about a relationship meaning more to the girl than to the guy. I will admit, it did make me think of giving head the first time i heard it (i know mind in the gutter), with the whole 'got grass stains on my knees for you' bit, but either way, i think it's about a girl who's pretty much in love with a guy and will do anything to try to impress him (if you wanna interpret it that way, that includes giving head). The guy's not particularly mean to her, but he doesn't feel that same way that she does, he just kinda goes with it. Don't know why i get that impression, but i just do. Might have something to do with the fact that he tries to help her by icing her knees, but ends up eating the frozen strawberries. Just my opinion... thought you might enjoy it... Anyway whatever it's supposed to mean, it's a great song :)

    annienon April 13, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I don't think there is any meaning to this song except for what is there at face value. I have a few friends who are in love and were reciting the lyrics to each other and that's when I realized the sweetness of the lyrics. Just imagine playing around for a summer day with your love and coming back bruised and tending to that person that you love. It's beautiful, and simple.

    L0laon August 22, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I'm honestly not sure where everyone gets their ideas that this song is about sex, in any way shape or form. Sometimes people look too deeply past the lyrics and try to pull sex from it. I think it's just a simply sweet song, nothing more. Maybe about someone who is trying their hardest to impress someone they love - "I tried to do headstands for you" - and failing: "Every time I fell". Whoever it is they love remains unimpressed and it hurts, symbolized by getting bruises and staining her jeans etc.

    rougokuon January 30, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    its so simple and sweet. a metaphor for loving and giving to someone who maybe disappoints them or lets them down.

    lemona9on September 17, 2008   Link

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