Who do you think you are?
Runnin’ ’round leaving scars…
In “Jar of Hearts” Perry writes about an ex-boyfriend who seems to be trying to get back into her life. Her opinion on him has changed quite a bit. She used to love him (it appears), but she has seen how has treated other women lately and it is a big turn-off to her. How has he treated them? Kind of like notches on a bedpost.
Perri uses the term “collecting a jar of hearts” in a similar way to “notches on a bedpost”. It is kind of the same. There are guys (and girls) who love it when people fall in love with them. And they let others do it—and they encourage it—knowing that they don’t feel the same way. Well, if you act like that, don’t come back around here hitting me up.
The song works best in the beginning, as her vocal is more restrained. This part always sounds moving, whenever I hear it. The vocal sections that are louder evoked a lot more emotion the first time I heard them, but now they don’t. I would like to see a slightly longer buildup before we blow into full diva mode. Admittedly, Perri’s “full-diva mode” is much less offensive than some of her peers.
Jar of Hearts Lyrics
I know I can’t take one more step towards you
‘Cause all that’s waiting is regret
Don’t you know I’m not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most
I learned to live, half alive
And now you want me one more time
Who do you think you are?
Runnin’ ’round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You’re gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don’t come back for me
Who do you think you are?
I hear you’re asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms
I’ve learned to live, half alive
And now you want me one more time
Who do you think you are?
Runnin’ ’round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You’re gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don’t come back for me
Who do you think you are?
It took so long just to feel alright
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed
‘Cause you broke all your promises
And now you’re back
You don’t get to get me back
Who do you think you are?
Runnin’ ’round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You’re gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don’t come back for me
Don’t come back at all
Who do you think you are?
Runnin’ ’round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
Tearing love apart
You’re gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don’t come back for me
Don’t come back at all
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
Songwriters: Barrett Noubar Yeretsian / Christina Judith Perri / Drew Lawrence