I took a chance, I took a shot
And you might think I'm bulletproof, but I'm not
You took a swing, I took it hard
And down here from the ground I see who you are

I'm sick and tired of your attitude
I'm feeling like I don't know you
You tell me that you love me then you cut me down

[Chorus]
And I need you like a heartbeat
But you know you got a mean streak
Makes me run for cover when you're around
And here's to you and your temper
Yes, I remember what you said last night
And I know that you see what you're doing to me
Tell me why

You could write a book on how to ruin someone's perfect day
Well I get so confused and frustrated
Forget what I'm trying to say, oh

I'm sick and tired of your reasons
I got no one to believe in
You tell me that you want me, then push me around

[Chorus]

Why, do you have to make me feel small
So you can feel whole inside
Why, do you have to put down my dreams
So you're the only thing on my mind

Well I'm sick and tired of your attitude
I'm feeling like I don't know you
You tell me that you want me then cut me down
I'm sick and tired of your reasons
I've got no one to believe in

You ask me for my love then you push me around
Here's to you and your temper
Yes, I remember what you said last night
And I know that you see what you're doing to me
Tell me why
Why, tell me why

I take a step back, let you go
I told you I'm not bulletproof
Now you know



Lyrics submitted by steph_3795

Track duration: 03:21

"Tell Me Why" as written by Rose/swift

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Tell Me Why song meanings
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39 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:I know that this song is probably about a guy who don't treat his girl right, but i feel like it's about your parents who thinks they're better than you and that your own judgment can't be trusted (just because I like dark colors doesn't that mean that I'm suicidal and depressed, seriously dad) even tho some lines sounds weird in that perspective.
    However, this is why I love this song. It can be about whoever, whatever pushing you down. :))
    Flag lovleyMehon April 07, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Taylor Swift co-wrote this with her frequent collaborator Liz Rose. The singer told The Associated Press that this was inspired by her frustration at a boy that she liked acting up. She explained: "I walked into Liz's house, and I said, 'I can't believe what's going on right now, I've gotta tell you about this.' I told her all about it. She goes, 'If you could say everything you were thinking to him right now, what would you start with?'"
    Swift began venting: "I would say to him, 'I'm sick and tired of your attitude, I feel like I don't even know you' ... and I just started rambling, and she was writing down everything that I was saying, and so, we turned it into a song."
    Flag musicrocks13on November 11, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think this songs about aboy who did maybe in some way love taylor but when he showed his true self she relized she did love him to but couldnt deal with him any more
    Flag ToniMaireon March 30, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:This song, in my opinion, is about a guy that you thought you knew. He seemed like a perfect guy and you fell for him but in reality he is a jerk that only cares about himself and has a HUGE temper. He is a hole but you didn't see it till he hurt you ("And down here from the ground I see who you are"). He tells you one thing and then goes and does the opposite...and he has to know what he's doing to you because it's obvious you're hurting. He doesn't care though...I just went through this and came across this song by chance. It has helped me through this soo much. THANK YOU TAYLOR!!!!
    Flag tennis13on February 24, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:She still loves him, although he abuses her. She knows he is just an explosive bomb that isn't good for her, but she doesn't see why he has to be so cruel. She doesn't understand why he just tries and tried to control her.

    "You might think I'm bulletproof, but I'm not"
    ^^ my favorite line <3
    Flag lexi0498on October 31, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:As a surviver of domestic violence i find this song extremely liberating.
    sure the meaning, she meant may not be the one that i think it is but to me...
    this song shows a girl stuck in an abusive realtionship
    "took a chance"
    to me shows she didnt really know the guy, and same was for me... i didnt know him.

    But i need to let everyone know,
    that there are many people who will play the victim card, and i dont want to ever let that become me.
    I am who i am, and i have so much love to give... he wasnt worth it.

    Dont let a guy make me feel like your nothing, cuz chances are.. your amazing, so amazing that he thinks controlling you is the only way to keep you around.
    But that isnt true.

    Dont shy away from people just because one guy treated you badly, take what you learnt from it and love more. care more and make the son of a bitch remember that your wonderful. :)
    Flag NickiiiiFranon March 31, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Memory:I love this song. I confessed my love fore my bestfriend of 3 years a few months ago. At the same time she confessed her "love" for me and then proceeded to put me through hell. This song just reminds me of that and just makes me feel good that it's all over
    Flag Thatoneguy123on November 12, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:My mom cheated on my dad and all I got is my dad. My mom is no longer in my life but sometimes trys to be. After 20 years of marriage you would think there is trust.She also called me fat, ugly and I been told by her I was a mistake. I rarely see her but when I did everytime she brings me down and now I'm not confident about my weight, clothes and just everything. My dad always yells at me so that doesn't help.
    Flag tayshaye17on October 14, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:Obviously about a relationship, where the guy says he loves her, and she really loves him back, but he is so horrible to her, and she does everything he says for her to do because she doesnt have the courage to say no to him because she is scared. She also wont leave him becasuse she is scared. I know this for a fact, because this is exactly what happened with my Mum and Dad, literally. But in the end, like the song, she brought herself to leave him, and now she is so much happier, and so am I.
    Flag gagalove27on July 07, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think it's about a girl whose boyfriend is sweet and loving but then he is mean and loses his temper easily and she is done with him sending her mixed messages "you tell me that you love me then you cut me down"
    Flag soccergirl04on June 08, 2010   Link

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