I was listening to one of my favorite Rush albums, Counterparts
She said, “Just don’t disappoint me
You know how complex women are”
It seemed like the second line could be taken two different ways, and it’s best to describe the difference by rewriting the line. The first way is like this:
You know how women that are complex are.
This implies that some women have the quality of being complex and that they act a certain way because of it. The second, like this:
You know how much women are complex.
This one implies that all women are complex, usually to a noticeably high degree.
Both versions don’t have a huge difference in meaning. I just enjoyed the ambiguity of it.
For the grander context, here are the entire lyrics. I particularly like the parallel construction using “cold fire” in the penultimate section. Lyrics are by Neil Peart and I completely did not get any permission from anyone to reproduce them. Cheers!
It was long after midnight
When we got to unconditional love
She said, “Sure, my heart is boundless
But don’t push my limits too far”
I said, “If love was so transcendent
I don’t understand these boundaries”
She said, “Just don’t disappoint me
You know how complex women are”I’ll be around
If you don’t let me down too far
I’ll be around
If you don’t let me downIt was just before sunrise
When we started on traditional roles
She said, “Sure, I’ll be your partner
But don’t make too many demands”
I said, “If love has these conditions
I don’t understand those songs you love”
She said, “This is not a love song
This isn’t fantasyland”Don’t go too far
A phosphorescent wave on a tropical sea is a cold fire
Don’t cross the line
The pattern of moonlight on the bedroom floor is a cold fire
Don’t let me down
The flame at the heart of a pawnbroker’s diamond is a cold fire
Don’t break the spell
The look in your eyes as you head for the door is a cold fireLove is blind if you are gentle
Love can turn to a long, cold burn…