Back in 1956 I was seven
And the second grade was going real slow
I could read, I could write, but learning to be white
Was nothing that I needed to know
Cause I’d seen Elvis Presley
I was running 'round singing the blues
I remember the words my mama said
When I asked her for them blue suede shoes
She said to me:
Why can’t you be like other girls?
Let’s hope it’s just a phase she’s going through
Why can’t you be like other girls?
Doing what we tell you to
We could give you the world
If you would be like other girls
Turning twenty-one wasn’t much fun
Down in Nashville, Tennessee
I was playing guitar down at some double-knit bar
And them cats was making eyes at me
Say hey-hey Little Miss, sing one by Kris
And I’ll help you make it through the night
But I had written this song and when he couldn’t sing along
I knew I had it coming all right
He said to me:
Why can’t you be like other girls?
Settled down with a kid or two
Why can’t you be like other girls?
Doing what I tell you to
I could show you the world
If you would be like other girls
Yeah, they flew me up to New York City
I was ready to rock and roll
They wined me, then they dined me
Then they signed me and put me on hold
And now the man up in the city
Is talking to the man in L. A
Who’s calling me down here in Mobile, Alabama
Telling me to walk this way
Saying to me:
Why can’t you be like other girls?
Sitting by the phone by the pool
Why can’t you be like other girls?
Doing what we tell you to
Why can’t you be like other girls?
Do you want to make me look like a fool?
Why can’t you be like other girls?
Whoever told you you could be you?
Why can’t you be
Why can’t you be
Why can’t I be like other girls?