Where you off to with that head of yours
Is there somewhere you should be
Was it something that I said the time I held you down
And told you it's not you, it's only me, baby

Don't take what I don't need
(Give me back my piece of mind)
Don't say what I don't mean
(Give me back my precious time)
No way you'll silence me
You'll see

What you up to now your mirror's gone?
Is there someone you should be?
Did you think I was just fooling 'round with you
But honestly
But honestly
But honestly

Don't take what I don't need
(Give me back my piece of mind)
Don't say what I don't mean
(Give me back my precious time)
No way you'll silence me
(Give me back my piece of mind)
No where to hide from me
You'll see

And tonight I thank the stars
As I count my lucky scars
For everything you've given me
And all the words I gave to you
Something borrowed something blue
If you want them back
I'll give it to you
Give it to you
Give it to you
I'll give it to you
I'll Give it to you
Give it to you
Give it to you
I'll give it to you
I'll give it to you
Give it to you
Give it to you
I'll give it to you
I'll give it to you
Give it to you
I'll give it to you
I'll give it to you

I don't want one thing that I gave to you
I don't want one thing that I gave to you
I don't want one thing that I gave to you
I don't want one thing that I gave to you
I don't want one thing that I gave to you
I don't want one thing that I gave to you
I don't want one thing that I gave to you


Lyrics submitted by risefromtheashes

But, Honestly Lyrics as written by Taylor Hawkins David Eric Grohl

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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But, Honestly song meanings
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24 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    GREAT GREAT song! My favourite in the album. The way it gets louder into the end expressing anguish and sorrow at the same time is phenomenal. I think it's very well described by MissesHenn, except that in my opinion, he doesn't want her back ("give me back my precious time"). It's a bitter song, about the end of an important relationship (I get the metaphore of marriage as well). And it's definitely "I don't want one thing that I gave to you": you can keep what I gave you, it came from the heart and I don't regret it. It's quite sad.

    Gabigson September 10, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This song is about a relationship. The writer feels the other is playing games, not being honest, and twisting their words. He/she is asking if there is somewhere else they would like to be or another person they would like to be rather than the person in that relationship. In the past the writer has gone through something that had nothing to do with the other but it may have been difficult for that person to hear. The writer doesn't want to waste his time if the other is not interested in honesty whatever that may be. They are married and the writer feels lucky to have the scars of marriage from what they've been through. If the parter isn't interested in carrying on the writer says take your freedom. What he wants back is true love which involves completely and honestly accepting another for who they are, good and bad, and choosing to intimately be transparent to eachother. I really love this song.

    stickyvicon July 13, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Another great built up track. This will be played live alot and sound great.

    Monkeywrench74on September 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This sounds like the new New Way Home. A Similar built up

    Monkeywrench74on September 21, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Played it live at the festivals this summer, great track. Sounds like a break up song.

    nasty1on September 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Should be "Don't take what I don't mean" not "Don't what I don't mean".

    Ant292on September 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It also sounds like "I want one thing that I gave to you", not "I want one day that I gave to you"

    Ant292on September 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yeah, this is one of my favorites on the album...I love the opening acoustic work...and the ending guitar freakout is pretty damn cool...

    I think the song is about the narrator having said something bad to the person he loves...and she's taking it really badly. So, this song asks for forgiveness and says that he never meant to hurt her so badly...I like the 'But, honestly' part...it's like he's trying to make the woman crack a smile.

    T_Capon September 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is probably my favourite track from the new album. Certainly one of my most played this week.

    I love it in the chorus when Taylor sings his bits. Wish there was more of them. And the guitars kicking in! YES. I have to agree with the poster who mentioned New Way Home. That's one of my favourite Foo tracks, and now this probably will be too.

    strider3005on September 27, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I'm hearing "I have one more thing that I'll give to you" ??

    nixta24on September 29, 2007   Link

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