the lyrics of the song are mostly abstract, but they work together to highlight what one needs to change in life. each verse also has a meaning. according to trott, the first verse is about music producer bill bottrell, who left in the middle of the album's production, angering crow. trott admitted that even though the lyrics were derogatory, they were more playful than harsh. the second verse was inspired by madonna—who had begun to tone down her sexual image during the song's conception—as well as a few other people who were not named. crow decided to make the final verse about herself but had to convince trott and macleod to do so.