Tell It Like It Is

The speaker wants a clear, honest answer from someone whose feelings seem uncertain. He warns that he will not accept being treated as a game, but he also says he is willing to love this person if the love is real. His mood moves between anger at being toyed with and hope that, underneath the other person’s pride, love is still there.

Calling himself “not your little boy” suggests he wants to be treated as an adult and taken seriously. “My time is too expensive” is not about money; it means his time and feelings are valuable. The repeated request to “tell it like it is” means to speak plainly and honestly, without hiding the truth. “Let your conscience be your guide” asks the other person to listen to what they know is right.

There is a tension in the lyrics: the speaker urges the other person to admit what they want and “go on and live,” yet he also believes they love him and hopes they will choose him. The song can be heard as a firm demand for honesty, but also as a vulnerable plea for reassurance. His confidence may be partly protective: he sounds angry, while still showing that he cares deeply.