This song iterates that many things are unfair and don’t necessarily work out the way we want them to.
Each verse poses a different situation where someone is in an unfair situation, whereafter Faye says that “it doesn’t work like that” meaning that “it” won’t always go your way
[Verse 1]
Lovers that live far apart
Need one another
But only have their postcards
I guess it doesn't work like that
[Verse 2]
The pitcher of the baseball team
Traded in his jersey
Doesn't want to leave
I guess it doesn't work like that
I guess it doesn't work like that
[Instrumental]
[Verse 3]
A collar around a dog's neck
His only identity
And he has no say in it
I guess it doesn't work like that
[Verse 4]
My sister is a hard worker
She doesn't deserve to be behind the counter
I guess it doesn't work like that
I guess it doesn't work like that
[Instrumental]
[Outro]
I've seen my mother in pain
Begging for her mom to remember her name
I guess it doesn't work like that
It never really works like that
It Doesn’t Work Like That was written by Faye Webster.
It Doesn’t Work Like That was produced by Faye Webster & Matt Martin.
Faye Webster released It Doesn’t Work Like That on Fri May 12 2017.
In NYLON, Faye said:
The Atlanta Braves traded my favorite pitcher, Craig Kimbrel. It was the only time I’ve ever seen fire at a baseball game. I was heartbroken, so I wrote a song about it.