Meaning of "I Told You I Was Mean" by Elle King

The lyrics of "I Told You I Was Mean" delve into the narrator's self-awareness of their negative traits and their honest admission of not being emotionally invested in a relationship. The narrator admits to lying and not shedding a single tear for their partner, despite claiming to have tried. They confess that their own priorities took precedence over the relationship and left their partner heartbroken. The repeated phrase "love is for the poor" suggests that the narrator sees love as a weakness or a burden, leading them to intentionally hurt their partner. They explain how they warned their partner before about their mean nature and lack of interest, indicating that the partner was aware of the narrator's intentions. The narrator expresses their belief that they are inherently flawed, referring to themselves as a "bad, bad seed" and emphasizes their inability to change. The closing lines draw a clear boundary, stating that they will never answer the door for their partner and will never feel remorse for their actions.

The overall meaning of the lyrics is an unapologetic acknowledgment of the narrator's mean nature and refusal to be emotionally available. It explores the narrator's lack of remorse for their words and actions, suggesting a sense of self-preservation or emotional detachment. The lyrics shed light on the complexities of relationships, as the narrator knowingly enters into one despite their intentions and later dismisses their partner with no consideration for their feelings. It showcases a destructive and unfulfilling cycle where the narrator seeks companionship but is unable to reciprocate genuine emotions.