Meaning of "Mister Wrong" by Lloyd Cole

The lyrics of "Mister Wrong" delve into themes of self-awareness, regret, and the struggle to maintain a relationship despite one's shortcomings. The speaker confronts their own mistakes and the hurt they have caused their partner, expressing a desire to see them happy but recognizing that their actions have led to tears instead. This internal conflict is further highlighted through the admission that the speaker is tough to be around, while their partner is tough to be away from, indicating a sense of longing and dependency despite moments of tension and sorrow. The repeated line "You know what you're doing, but you don't know why" underscores the complexity of human emotions and behaviors, suggesting that sometimes we unintentionally hurt those we care about due to deeper, unresolved issues within ourselves. Overall, the lyrics of "Mister Wrong" capture the bittersweet nature of relationships, where love and pain often coexist.