The lyrics describe a woman as personal property, exclusively belonging to the narrator and off-limits to others. The narrator compares her to gold, emphasizes her exclusivity, and warns others to stay away.

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Meaning of "Personal Property" by Def Leppard


The lyrics of "Personal Property" by Def Leppard portray possessiveness and objectification of a woman by the male narrator. The woman is depicted as a valuable possession, likened to gold and described in possessive terms such as "personal property" and "exclusively mine." This objectification reduces her autonomy and agency, positioning her more as an object of desire than as an individual with her own rights and choices. The narrator's warnings to others to stay away from her, and the imagery of locking her up under "lock and key," further highlight the possessive and controlling nature of the relationship portrayed in the song. The lyrics ultimately perpetuate harmful stereotypes of women as objects to be owned and controlled by men, rather than as autonomous beings with agency and independence.