Bratty Girl

Not-So-Sweet Song #1: "The One I Love," REM

It's hard to believe people dedicate this as if it were a love song, but let's just set the record straight: It's not. Hello, the guy in the song is addressing "the one I left behind." Why? Because she was nothing to him but "a simple prop to occupy my time." And, adding insult to injury, "another prop has occupied my time." He's moving on! The only thing that could make this song meaner would be if Michael Stipe sang, "Ready, aim?" before wailing out "Fire!" during the chorus.

Not-So-Sweet Song #2: "Every Breath You Take," The Police

When Sting sings, "Can't you see? You belong to me," it can be tempting to think "Aw, he must really like this girl." Sorry to break it to you, but "like" isn't exactly what comes to mind if you listen to the rest of the lyrics. Take what Sting's "watching," for instance: "every vow you break, every smile you fake." Last we checked, calling a girl a cold-hearted two-timer isn't exactly a compliment. Then, take how he croons "I'll be watching you" over... and over... and over. Restraining order, anyone?

Not-So-Sweet Song #3: "With or Without You," U2

Sure, the opening strains are beautiful. But the lyrics make us strain to understand why Bono's with this girl: "On a bed of nails she makes me wait"; "My hands are tied, my body bruised, she's got me with nothing to win and nothing left to lose." Frankly, we don't blame Bono for wailing "I can't live with or without you." But does this tortured sentiment and masochistic imagery a love song make? Try a love-hate song.

Not-So-Sweet Song #4: "Something," The Beatles

Many people think this is a love song (rumor has it that it was one of Frank Sinatra's favorites), but let's take a good look at the lyrics: "You're asking me, will my love grow? I don't know! I don't know! You stick around and it may show. I don't know! I don't know!" Sounds like the gal he's seeing is gunning for a commitment—and the guy's doing is best to weasel out of it. Not exactly romantic, is it?

Not-So-Sweet Song #5: "The Best of My Love," The Eagles

The chorus sounds like a boyfriend crooning about how "here in my heart, I give you the best of my love." Unfortunately, the rest of the song details fights ("We try to talk it over, but the words come out too rough"), heavy drinking ("Look at the way that we live! Wastin' our time on cheap talk and wine"), and a total inability to connect ("Every mornin', I wake up and worry, what's gonna happen today. You see it your way, and I see it mine, but we both see it slippin' away"). Sounds like the "best of my love" ain't good enough.

Not-So-Sweet Song #6: "What Do All The People Know," The Monroes

"Could you be the one I'm thinking of? Could you be the girl I really love?" sounds like a guy reveling in his joy at finding such a fabulous girlfriend. But the next couple of lines—"All the people tell me so... but what do all the people know?"—sounds like he's skeptical of the rave reviews his girl is getting. We're skeptical, too, especially when we hear the lines, "Do you think I really care for you? Is it just another game that you and I pretend to play?" That's hardly a head-over-heels declaration of love in our book.

Not-So-Sweet Song #7: "The Reason," Hoobastank

This cute little diddy is playing on cell phones across the nation, and some of the lyrics do sound pretty sweet: "I've found a reason for me to change who I used to be! A reason to start over new—and the reason is YOU!" That's great, Hooba. But what's going on in the rest of the words? Let's see: "I'm sorry that I hurt you—it's something I must live with every day"; "All the pain I put you through, I wish that I could take it all away and be the one who catches all your tears" and, this is all stuff that "I have to say before I go." Oh, we get it now: He's leaving, and her consolation prize is knowing she made him a better person for the next girl who comes along? You're welcome, ya jerk.

Put away the pictures, put away the memories
I go over and over through my tears
I've held them 'til I'm blind, they kept my hope alive
As if somehow that might keep you here
Won't you believe in a love forevermore
How do you leave it in a drawer

Now here it comes, the hardest part of all
Unchain my heart that's holding on
How do I start to live my life alone
Guess I'm just learning, learning the art of letting go

Try to say it's over, say the word good bye
But each time it catches in my throat
You're still here with me and I can't set you free
So I hold on to what I wanted most

Maybe someday we'll be friends forevermore
Wish I could open up that door

Now here it comes, the hardest part of all
Unchain my heart that's holding on
How do I start to live my life alone
Guess I'm just learning, learning the art of letting go

Watching us fade, what can I do
But try to make it through the pain
Not one more day without you

Where do I start to live my life alone
I guess I'm learning, I'll be learning
Learning the art of letting go

I'm looking for a lover not a friend
Somebody who can be there when I need someone to talk to
I'm looking for someone who won't pretend
Somebody not afraid to say the way they feel about you

And I'm looking for someone who understands how I feel,
Someone who can keep me real and who knows (the way)
The way I like to have it my way
And I'm looking for someone who takes me there,
Wants to share, shows he cares
Thinking you're the one that I've been waiting for

Is it you? Is it you?
Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for
Could you be the one for me?
Could you be the one I need?

Is it you? is it you?
Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for
Could you be the one for me? (Could you be?)
Could you be the one I need?

I'm looking for someone to share my pain (Uh)
Someone who I can run to, who would stay with me when it rains
Someone who I can cry with through the night
Someone who I can trust whose heart is right
And I'm looking for someone

And I'm looking for someone who understands how I feel,
Someone who can keep me real and who knows (the way)
[Is It You lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]

The way I like to have it my way
And I'm looking for someone who takes me there,
Wants to share, shows he cares
Thinking on the one that I've been waiting for

Is it you? is it you?
Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for
Could you be the one for me?
Could you be the one I need?

Is it you? is it you?
Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for
Could you be the one for me?
Could you be this one I need?

Someone who won't take me for granted
How much I care (How much I care)
And appreciates that I'm there
Someone who listens
And someone I can call who isn't afraid of love to share

Is it you? is it you?
Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for
Could you be the one for me?
Could you be the one I need?

Is it you? is it you?
Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for
Could you be the one for me?
Could you be the one I need?

If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad today?
If you're not the one then why does my hand fit yours this way?
If you are not mine then why does your heart return my call?
If you are not mine would I have the strength to stand at all?

I never know what the future brings
But I know you are here with me now
We'll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with

I don't wanna run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?

If I don't need you then why am I crying on my bed?
If I don't need you then why does your name resound in my head?
If you're not for me then why does this distance maim my life?
If you're not for me then why do I dream of you as my wife?

I don't know why you're so far away
But I know that this **much** is true
We'll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with
And I wish that you could be the one I die with
And I'm praying you're the one I build my home with
I hope I love you all my life

I don't wanna run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?

'Cause I miss you, body and soul so strong that it takes my breath away
And I breathe you into my heart and pray for the strength to stand today
'Cause I love you, whether it's wrong or right
And though I can't be with you tonight
You know my heart is by your side

I don’t wanna run away but I can’t take it, I don’t understand
If I’m not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?