Love To Hate Me Blues

[Verse 1]
You liked the crooked in my smile
The little chip in my front tooth
Said you loved my ragged edges
Said you finally found the truth

Then you bought me cleaner shirts
Pulled my sleeves past all my scars
Tried to tune my voice to quiet
While you dreamed of shiny cars

[Chorus]
You love to hate me
Hate to love me
Too
Met me stained and sideways
Then tried to paint me new
I was born this crooked
That’s how I’m gonna stay
You love to hate me
Baby
But I won’t bend your way

[Verse 2]
You liked my late-night stories
Till they kept you up at night
Liked my gambling with tomorrow
Till you craved a safer life

You traced circles ‘round my fingers
Like a ring would fix my soul
Tried to bargain with my shadows
For a man you could control

[Chorus]
You love to hate me
Hate to love me
Too
Met me stained and sideways
Then tried to paint me new
I was born this crooked
That’s how I’m gonna stay
You love to hate me
Baby
But I won’t bend your way

[Bridge]
I won’t shrink to fit your frame (no more)
Won’t twist my tongue to dodge your blame
You knew my name when you walked in
You don’t get to write it again (hey!)

[Chorus]
You love to hate me
Hate to love me
Too
Met me wild and wandering
Now that wild runs right from you
I was born this crooked
That’s how I’m gonna stay
You love to hate me
Baby
Watch me walk away

[Outro]
[Harmonica and piano trade slow
Gritty licks as the bass rumbles
Then fade on one last bent note]