What You Really Mean

Album: We Can Do Anything (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was written back in the 1980s by Cynthia Gayneau, the sister of Violent Femmes frontman Gordon Gano. He told Q magazine: "She wrote it, recorded it at least 30 years ago, and at one time I tried to get somebody to record it without any success. And then I thought, why don't I do it? And it's one of my favorite songs on the whole album, maybe my favorite one. I think it's the most beautiful-sounding thing that we've ever done in Violent Femmes."

    Gano added: "I think I missed the emphasis of the end where it flips it around and the narrator is saying that you'll see what I really mean. I didn't emphasize that enough in how I sang it and how we arranged it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Colbie Caillat

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.

Chris Isaak

Chris IsaakSongwriter Interviews

Chris tells the story of "Wicked Game," talks milkshakes and moonpies at Sun Records, and explains why women always get their way.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Titles

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.