This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Take this pink ribbon off my eyes
I'm exposed and it's no big surprise
Don't you think I know exactly where I stand?
This world is forcing me to hold your hand
'Cause I'm just a girl, oh, little old me
Well, don't let me out of your sight
Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite
So don't let me have any rights
Oh, I've had it up to here
The moment that I step outside
So many reasons for me to run and hide
I can't do the little things I hold so dear
'Cause it's all those little things that I fear
'Cause I'm just a girl, I'd rather not be
'Cause they won't let me drive late at night
Oh, I'm just a girl, guess I'm some kind of freak
'Cause they all sit and stare with their eyes
Oh, I'm just a girl, take a good look at me
Just your typical prototype
Oh, I've had it up to here
Oh, am I making myself clear?
I'm just a girl
I'm just a girl in the world
That's all that you'll let me be
Oh, I'm just a girl, living in captivity
Your rule of thumb makes me worrisome
Oh, I'm just a girl, what's my destiny?
What I've succumbed to is making me numb
Oh, I'm just a girl, my apologies
What I've become is so burdensome
Oh, I'm just a girl, lucky me
Twiddle-dum, there's no comparison
Oh, I've had it up to
Oh, I've had it up to
Oh, I've had it up to here
I'm exposed and it's no big surprise
Don't you think I know exactly where I stand?
This world is forcing me to hold your hand
'Cause I'm just a girl, oh, little old me
Well, don't let me out of your sight
Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite
So don't let me have any rights
Oh, I've had it up to here
The moment that I step outside
So many reasons for me to run and hide
I can't do the little things I hold so dear
'Cause it's all those little things that I fear
'Cause I'm just a girl, I'd rather not be
'Cause they won't let me drive late at night
Oh, I'm just a girl, guess I'm some kind of freak
'Cause they all sit and stare with their eyes
Oh, I'm just a girl, take a good look at me
Just your typical prototype
Oh, I've had it up to here
Oh, am I making myself clear?
I'm just a girl
I'm just a girl in the world
That's all that you'll let me be
Oh, I'm just a girl, living in captivity
Your rule of thumb makes me worrisome
Oh, I'm just a girl, what's my destiny?
What I've succumbed to is making me numb
Oh, I'm just a girl, my apologies
What I've become is so burdensome
Oh, I'm just a girl, lucky me
Twiddle-dum, there's no comparison
Oh, I've had it up to
Oh, I've had it up to
Oh, I've had it up to here
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
This is one of No Doubts coolest songs. It precedes Return of Saturn by a long shot with its strongly feministic lyrics, but is still one of the strongest songs that Gwen has put out. The song is showing that she dislikes being treated with kid gloves simply because she is a girl.
God Bless Gwen Stefani :D
You are all missing the point. What she is referring to is not lack of opportunity for women. Women now have the same rights as men (legally), the problem remaining is the countless double standards that are still deeply ingrained in society. A guy thumbing his nose at society and breaking all the rules is cool. He is an idol. An ideal. A good. A girl doing the same is viewed negatively. She’s trashy and unladylike and frowned upon. She’s threatening and intimidating. She is feared. Being a woman in rock music (which unfortunately seems to be dominated by men), Gwen probably has experienced this double standard many times. I think this song is an expression of that frustration.
@dontdrinkpoison similarly watched an interesting show last night about "sexism". A bloke who sleeps with a lot of girls is a "stud", whereas a girl who sleeps with lots of boys is a "slut / slag". There are over 200 words to describe a "slutty" girl ... how many to describe a male in a similar light??
why cant people just accept the band has changed? if u really liked them at all, u wouldnt turn on them as soon as they release something that is different to previous albums.
just because a band becomes popular doesn't make them bad........every lyric i look at there is so much labeling....all my comment are on the stpidity of labeling and still no one seems to get it
I love this song. My fav No Doubt song. I don't think they sold out, they are still the same, their music has never been exactly the same type. Have you even listened to Rock Steady? It's AWESOME. and to "emo12punk12emo" who said: no doubt used to be awesome... too bad they sold out :-( you are stupid because obviously you sold out if you're trying to be all emo-punk. stupid fucking poser.
I love the American music, especially the No Doubt. I am sad to hear the horrible accountings of American wo-men though, I think it is much bad that they are not allowed to drive at night or go into the public without a male. My country was like to this before the glorious march of freedoms and I am sad to know that these rights are not even in the America.
lmao!
i can relate to gwen in this song cause when i was a little girl i was always treated as a equel and i could hang out with the boys but when i hit puberty i was considered fragile and somone that needed to be protected sad that things change when your older i miss being a kid
I LOVE THIS SONG! Yeah, they are alternative, but they kind of are a mix of ska, punk, and pop. It's still good though, I don't get why people complain about that...
I love the guitar riff at the bridge =]
I think every girl feels like this at some point