The lyrics are a direct demand for truth. Neville sings about the "expensive" nature of time and the refusal to be treated like a toy.
It’s not a "pitiful plea," but a command for authenticity and open communication. The Legacy of Covers Telling It Like It Is mp3
Written by and Lee Diamond , "Tell It Like It Is" was Neville’s first major hit, peaking at No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1967. It was famously kept out of the top spot only by The Monkees' "I'm a Believer". The lyrics are a direct demand for truth