Hit Or Miss
Odetta Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴Can’t you see
I gotta be me
Ain’t nobody
Just like this
I gotta be me
Baby hit or miss

Sitting here

All by myself
Trying to be
Everybody else

Can’t you see I gotta be me
Ain’t nobody just like this
I gotta be me
Baby hit or miss

Look at you sitting there
All by yourself
Listening to everybody
Everybody saying be everybody else

Can’t you see
You gotta be thee
Ain't nobody
Just like you
You gotta be you
Baby hit or miss

Oh you see
I gotta be me
Ain’t nobody
Just like this
I gotta be me
Baby hit or miss

Sitting here
I’m all by myself
I’m trying to be
Everybody else
But now I see
I gotta be me
Ain’t nobody
Just like this

I gotta be me
Baby hit or miss

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Odetta's song "Hit or Miss" are about embracing individuality and being true to oneself. The song speaks to the pressure people face to conform and fit in with society, which can leave one feeling lost, empty and disconnected. The first verse emphasizes the need to be oneself, even if that means being imperfect or making mistakes. The second verse speaks to the struggle of trying to fit in and be like everyone else, while the chorus emphasizes the need to take risks, try new things, and find one's own path in life, even if it means not always succeeding.

The lyrics are delivered with a strong, soulful voice that conveys a sense of conviction and resolve. Odetta's powerful vocals coupled with the guitar-driven melodies give the song a blues-rock feel that is both uplifting and empowering. The song's message of individuality and self-discovery resonates deeply with listeners, making it a timeless classic that still resonates with people today.

Line by Line Meaning

Can’t you see
The singer is imploring the listener to recognize something crucial.

I gotta be me
The singer knows they have a particular identity that they must hold onto.

Ain’t nobody
No single person is exactly like the singer.

Just like this
Refers to the artist's unique identity which cannot be replicated fully by another person.

Baby hit or miss
The artist is willing to take risks in order to stay true to themselves.

Sitting here
The singer is currently in a contemplative state.

All by myself
The singer is emotionally alone in their journey to maintain their identity.

Trying to be
The artist has been subjected to outside pressure to modify their behavior to better fit in with their surroundings.

Everybody else
The rest of society, who doesn't share the artist’s identity.

Can’t you see I gotta be me
The artist reveals their feelings again, hoping for the listener to understand their plight.

Look at you sitting there
The singer turns the rhetorical question back to the listener.

Listening to everybody
The listener is also being swayed by external pressure.

Everybody saying be everybody else
The listener is receiving pressure to conform as well.

You gotta be thee
The singer is saying that the listener must find their unique identify or purpose.

Ain't nobody
No one else can uphold the listener’s unique identity.

Just like you
The listener's identity is just as irreplaceable as the artist's.

You gotta be you
Speaker advises the listener that they must find themselves.

Oh you see
The singer is acknowledging that the listener may now understand their position.

Sitting here
The singer is still in contemplation.

I’m trying to be
The artist admits that they haven't fully achieved their goal yet.

But now I see
The artist is observing subtle nuances of their environment that make them unique.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Odetta Gordon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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