Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a relationship's messy, painful end, framed by a narrator's urgent plea to a "girlfriend." The opening lines immediately set a tone of betrayal and finality: "You've lied your last lie and I've cried my last cry / I'm out the door, babe." This isn't just a breakup; it's a declaration of independence from deceit, suggesting a long-suffering patience has finally snapped. The repeated phrase "To believe or not to believe / That is the question" echoes Hamlet, elevating the personal drama to a philosophical quandary about trust and perception in the face of obvious falsehoods. The narrator, having reached their limit, is leaving, but their focus quickly shifts to advising their "girlfriend" to do the same. The central tension lies in the narrator's frustration and concern for the "girlfriend," who is being mistreated. The narrator directly questions, "Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad?" while simultaneously asserting her value: "you know you were the best he ever had." This creates a poignant contrast between the girlfriend's perceived low self-worth and her actual worth, as seen by the narrator. The lyrics repeatedly urge her to recognize this imbalance and to leave the relationship, framing it as a necessary act of self-preservation against a "canine runnin' 'round in heat" who is "not worth the misery and pain." The most striking aspect of the craft is the direct, almost confrontational address to the "girlfriend," interspersed with the narrator's own experience of leaving. This dual perspective highlights the narrator's empathy and their own recent decision to walk away. The repeated, almost chant-like chorus emphasizes the central dilemma and the narrator's disbelief at the situation. Phrases like "he's just a canine" and the instruction to "bust loose" employ blunt, vivid imagery to underscore the unhealthy nature of the relationship and the urgent need for escape, making the advice feel both practical and emotionally charged. Ultimately, the lyrics resonate because they capture the raw emotion of witnessing a friend endure mistreatment while also processing one's own heartbreak. The narrator's own departure serves as a catalyst, empowering them to offer tough love and a clear path forward to the "girlfriend." The blend of personal resolve and external concern creates a powerful message of self-respect and the courage to leave behind relationships that diminish one's worth, even when it's difficult to "believe" the extent of the betrayal.

Pebbles - Pop, R&B

Girlfriend

8.9K Plays

Duration: 6:43

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[Intro] To believe or not to believe That is the question It just takes a street degree You've lied your last lie and I've cried my last cry I'm out the door, babe There's other fish in the sea [Verse 1] Girl, make a list Go out and find yourself a new bad thing Girl, you need a trip 'Cause he's not worth the misery and pain Just remember how he would tell you lies And then pretend that everything is so sweet Why should you sacrifice if you're not satisfied? He's just a canine runnin' 'round in heat [Chorus] Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad? Oh Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had Oh, oh, oh-woah Woah, girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad? (Treat ya, treat ya, treat ya) Oh Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had Oh, oh, oh-woah [Verse 2] Girl, you must resist Don't let him squirm his way into your heart No, girl, I must insist You've got to stop the fool before he starts Just remember how he was so untrue With all the tacky things he did to you No need to signify, 'cause he's not worth your time You need to find someone that's true to you [Chorus] Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad? Oh Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had Oh, oh, oh-woah Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad? (Treat ya, treat ya) Baby, don't be sad (Oh), no Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had Oh, oh, oh-woah [Post-Chorus] To believe or not to believe That is the question It just takes a street degree You've lied your last lie and I've cried my last cry I'm out the door, babe There's other fish in the sea (Yeah, yeah, yeah) [Bridge] Cute, cute, cute, cute Hey, Deele, sing! To believe or not to believe That is the question It just takes a street degree You've lied your last lie and I've cried my last cry I'm out the door, babe There's other fish in the sea [Chorus] Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad? Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad? Oh Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had Oh, oh, oh-woah Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad? Oh Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had Oh, oh, oh-woah [Chorus] Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad? Oh Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had Oh, oh, oh-woah Girlfriend, how could you let him treat you so bad? (Treat ya, treat ya) Baby, don't be sad (Oh), no Girlfriend, you know you were the best he ever had Oh, oh, oh-woah [Refrain] Don't let him put you down Girl, he's been messing around You've been used, abused So, baby, make your move You've learned your lesson now So, turn this hurt around Don't be no fool, 'cause you've got to bust loose Girlfriend, yeah How could you let him treat you so bad? Oh Oh, girlfriend You know you were the best he ever had (You know you were the best he ever had, girl) Oh, oh, oh-woah [Outro] Don't let him put you down Girl, he's been messing around You've been used, abused So, baby, make your move You've learned your lesson now So, turn this hurt around Don't be no fool, 'cause you've got to bust loose Girlfriend, yeah How could you let him treat you so bad? Oh Girlfriend

Credits

Writers: L.A. Reid
Babyface

Girlfriend

Girlfriend

Lyrics

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Credits