08 Why Did It Have To Be Me
ABBA - 1976 Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When you were lonely, you needed a man
Someone to lean on, well I understand
It's only natural
But why did it have to be me?
Nights can be empty and nights can be cold
So you were looking for someone to hold
That's only natural
But why did it have to be me?

I was so lonesome, I was blue
I couldn't help it, it had to be you and I
Always thought you knew the reason why
I only wanted a little love affair
Now I can see you are beginning to care
But baby, believe me
It's better to forget me

Men are the toys in the game that you play
When you get tired, you throw 'em away
That's only natural
But why did it have to be me?
Ooh
Falling in love with a woman like you
Happens so quickly, there's nothing to do
It's only natural
But why did it have to be me?

I was so lonesome, I was blue
I couldn't help it, it had to be you and I
Always thought you knew the reason why
I only wanted a little love affair
Now I can see you are beginning to care




But baby, believe me
It's better to forget me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to ABBA's "Why Did It Have To Be Me" tell the story of a person who finds themselves caught up in a complicated and unrequited love affair. The opening lines suggest that the singer initially had good intentions and wanted to be there for someone who was lonely and needed support. However, they question why fate chose them to be in this role.


The song highlights the universal experience of feeling lonely and seeking companionship in the night. The singer acknowledges that they were also in a state of loneliness, craving emotional warmth and someone to hold. They express confusion and wonder why they ended up being the one to fulfill this role for someone else.


The chorus reveals the singer's realization that they had unknowingly fallen in love with the person they were trying to help. The lyrics suggest that the singer only wanted a casual love affair, but now they see that the other person's feelings are growing deeper. Despite this newfound emotional attachment, the singer believes it is best for the other person to forget about them and move on.


The final verse introduces a bit of cynicism, illustrating that the person the singer is involved with treats men as disposable objects. The lyrics imply that when their partner becomes tired or bored, they discard them without much thought. The singer contemplates the irony of falling in love with someone who engages in this behavior.


Overall, "Why Did It Have To Be Me" explores the complexities of love, loneliness, and unexpected connections. It delves into the confusion and conflicting emotions experienced by the singer, ultimately suggesting that it is better for the other person to let go of their feelings and forget about them.


Line by Line Meaning

When you were lonely, you needed a man
When you were feeling alone, you desired companionship from a man


Someone to lean on, well I understand
Someone who can provide support and understanding in difficult times, I comprehend that


It's only natural
It is to be expected or instinctive


But why did it have to be me?
But why did you choose me specifically?


Nights can be empty and nights can be cold
Evenings can feel devoid of meaning and can be emotionally chilly


So you were looking for someone to hold
Therefore, you were seeking someone to embrace


That's only natural
That is completely normal and expected


But why did it have to be me?
But why did you have to choose me for that role?


I was so lonesome, I was blue
I was incredibly lonely and sad


I couldn't help it, it had to be you and I
I couldn't control it, it was destined to be you and me


Always thought you knew the reason why
I always believed you understood the motive behind it


I only wanted a little love affair
I merely desired a brief romantic involvement


Now I can see you are beginning to care
Now I realize that you are starting to develop feelings for me


But baby, believe me
But my dear, trust me


It's better to forget me
It would be more beneficial for you to let go of me


Men are the toys in the game that you play
Men are the objects of amusement in the game that you participate in


When you get tired, you throw 'em away
When you grow weary of them, you discard them


That's only natural
Again, that is completely normal and expected


But why did it have to be me?
But why did you have to involve me in that pattern?


Falling in love with a woman like you
Becoming infatuated with a woman of your nature


Happens so quickly, there's nothing to do
Happens rapidly, leaving no course of action


It's only natural
Once again, it is to be expected or instinctive


But why did it have to be me?
But why did I have to be the one to experience this?




Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern Ulvaeus

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@taniamaramartini8207

Why Did It Have to Be Me
Canção de ABBA
❀️🎸🎀🎡🎷🎢🎼🎹🎼🎢🎷🎡🎀🎸❀️❀️❀️❀️❀️❀️❀️❀️❀️❀️❀️
GOD bless You β€οΈβ€οΈπŸ™πŸ»
When you were lonely, you needed a man
Someone to lean on, well I understand
It's only natural
But why did it have to be me?
Nights can be empty and nights can be cold
So you were looking for someone to hold
That's only natural
But why did it have to be me?

I was so lonesome, I was blue
I couldn't help it, it had to be you and I
Always thought you knew the reason why
I only wanted a little love affair
Now I can see you are beginning to care
But baby, believe me
It's better to forget me

Men are the toys in the game that you play
When you get tired, you throw 'em away
That's only natural
But why did it have to be me?
Ooh
Falling in love with a woman like you
Happens so quickly, there's nothing to do
It's only natural
But why did it have to be me?

I was so lonesome, I was blue
I couldn't help it, it had to be you and I
Always thought you knew the reason why
I only wanted a little love affair
Now I can see you are beginning to care
But baby, believe me
It's better to forget me



All comments from YouTube:

@leoniepattison3081

Of course we love the girl's great voices and chemistry but Bjorn did a great job on this one and Benny is always great belting it out on that piano!

@erikskifte8862

ABBA, THE PERFECT BLEND OF POP, ROCK, FOLK, REGGAE, CLASSICAL, COUNTRY, FUNK AND DISCO MUSIC. A 1000 CONGRATULATIONS TO ABBA FOR A 1000 WEEKS ON UK CHART WITH ABBA GOLD. CELEBRATING BY PLAYING ALL 8 ABBA STUDIO ALBUMS WHILE DRINKING PINK CHAMPAGNE, CHEERS πŸ₯‚πŸ₯‚πŸ₯‚πŸ₯‚

@dho9309

ABBA FOREVER ABBA.

@Tatjana141

πŸ˜‡

@dimatur2255

It's a genius song. This is studio-version of sounding, this sounding is absolute masterpiece, and performance is absolutely brilliant. Thank You, ABBA!!!

@howie9751

I thought the live version in Australia from their movie was better. Loved Frida flirting around and the song had more energy.

@monikatundetoth7774

Bravo!!

@gofryice

FRida makes me want to get up and dance with her. :)

@nessela

ABBA my childhood fav and i still love them dearly

@that70sgirl90

One of the Best Pop Sensations of The 70's! Bjorn and Benny are Musical geniuses and the Perfect voices ot Agnetha and Anni-Frid, The 2A's and 2'B's ... to make a near Perfect Report Card. They are Truly... 'One of a Kind!' ♠️β™₯️♦️♣️ Thank you TopPop... you saved the Best for Last! Happy Saturday... thank you for sharing! πŸ’–

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