Song Meaning

This song paints a raw, almost desperate portrait of obsessive love. The narrator declares her man is her "only joy," her "only happiness," and that she's "given all I have" to him. It's an all-consuming devotion that transcends physical attraction or material wealth, as she explicitly states, "It's not that he is handsome, / That he is rich nor strong." The intensity of her feelings is palpable, described as having him "so under my skin." This deep infatuation creates a powerful internal conflict. The narrator admits her man has such a hold on her that he could make her "do anything," even "kill my faith" or become "infamous." This suggests a loss of control, a willingness to compromise her own values for his sake. The repeated phrase "I have him so under my skin" underscores this inescapable, almost physical possession, leading her to feel "crazy" and "hammered" by her emotions. The lyrics present a stark contrast between the narrator's profound, almost destructive love for her man and the perceived worthlessness of other men. She dismisses offers from "other men" as not "worth much." This elevates her own man, despite his flaws (calling him "that idiot"), to a unique pedestal. The song suggests that this all-encompassing love, while potentially leading to suffering, is also the "true day" of love, implying a profound, albeit painful, authenticity. The effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their unflinching honesty about the overwhelming power of love. The narrator doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of her devotion, acknowledging the potential for her man to make her "infamous." By confessing this vulnerability and the feeling of being "hammered" or "crazy," she grounds the intense emotion in relatable human experience, even as she describes an extreme level of attachment. The final plea for forgiveness when a woman "gives herself / To the man she has under her skin" suggests a societal judgment she anticipates, further highlighting the raw, unvarnished nature of her feelings.