Lowell George's first band, The Factory, formed in 1965. Members included future Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward (he replaced Dallas Taylor in Sept 1966), and Martin Kibbee (a.k.a. Fred Martin) who would later co-write several Little Feat songs with George, including "Dixie Chicken" and "Rock & Roll Doctor". Frank Zappa produced two tracks for The Factory. Following the disbanding of The Factory, George briefly joined the band The Standells. There followed a few months in late 1968 to early 1969 where George was a member of Zappa's band, the Mothers of Invention.
After leaving the Mothers of Invention, George invited fellow musicians to form a new band, which they named Little Feat. As Feat's primary motive force and chief songwriter, he sang, played slide guitar and produced much of their output of eight albums...plus "Hoy Hoy," a collection of live recordings and studio outtakes released posthumously. Recorded one amazing solo LP. Died at the age of 34. An autopsy showed that he died of an accidental drug overdose.
With Little Feat, Lowell crafted a completely unique-sounding band. His approach to the slide or "bottleneck" guitar was not based in the blues from whence it originated, but was rather tailored specifically for the New Orleans-style funk, jazz-tinged improvisations and straight-ahead rock which the band played so brilliantly.
Lowell became a major influence on other artists such as Linda Ronstadt and the Rolling Stones. Even a producer for the Grateful Dead.
Notorious for his hard partying life style, died of a heart attack at age 34. The rock world lost a musician of singular talent and vision with his passing.
Lowell's daughter, Inara George, is a solo artist and member of the duo The Bird and the Bee.
What Do You Want the Girl to Do
Lowell George Lyrics
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To eat up your lies like it's good
(Your lies like apple pie)
(She don't even cry)
She is not a fool
She's just tryin' to do what her heart says to
To love you
And as you take to the wind
(to the wind again she breaks down)
And as she breaks down within (within, within)
She waits for you patiently
Hopin' that someday you'll see
[That] all she really wants to be
Is yours and yours alone, eternally
What do you want the girl to do
[Don't you know] you're breakin' the child in two
[Can't you see]
What do you want the girl to do
All she really wants is you
She knows what you are
Still she'll be your queen if you let her
(Just say the word today)
(Build the world around her)
Now and then you'll promise
All the way-out things you're goin' to get her
(You will see, you will see)
(You're so damn glad you found her, found her, years ago)
Cause ma she knows better
As she watched you come and go (all you'll show)
And as she watched your promises erode
She waits for you patiently
Hopin' that someday you'll see
[That] all she really wants to be
Is yours and yours alone, eternally
What do you want the girl to do
[Don't you know] you're breakin' the child in two
[Can't you see]
What do you want the girl to do
All she really wants is you
She knows what you are
Still she'll be your queen if you let her
(Just say the word today)
(Build the world around her)
Now and then you'll promise
All the way-out things you're goin' to get her
(You will see, you will see)
(You're so damn glad you found her, found her, years ago)
'Cause ma she knows better
As she watched you come and go (all you'll show)
And as she watched your promises erode
What do you want the girl to do
Don't you know you're breakin' the child in two
What do you want the girl to do
Can't you see you're breakin' the child in two
The lyrics of Lowell George's song "What Do You Want The Girl To Do" convey the message of a woman stuck in a complicated relationship with a man who does not treat her well. The song speaks to the frustration of the girl who is trying to win the love of the man who is always breaking his promises. She is waiting for him patiently, hoping that someday he will see that she only wants to be his and his alone forever.
The chorus of the song repeats the question "What Do You Want The Girl To Do," which implies that the man needs to figure out what he wants from the relationship. The woman has done everything to keep their relationship going, but the man's lies and constant broken promises are chipping away at her resolve. The singer also points out that despite the man's disregard for her, the woman is not foolish, but instead, she is trying to follow her heart.
The lyrics evoke feelings of sadness, heartbreak, and desperation. The song speaks to anyone who has ever loved someone who does not love them back or who has been in a relationship with someone who constantly hurts them.
Line by Line Meaning
So you think the girl is crazy
You believe that the girl is foolish
To eat up your lies like it's good
To believe your lies and not question their validity
(Your lies like apple pie)
Your lies are easily digestible, like a sweet pastry
(She don't even cry)
Despite your lies, the girl does not cry
She is not a fool
The girl is not ignorant or stupid
She's just tryin' to do what her heart says to
She is following her heart and listening to her feelings
To love you
She is trying to show her love for you
And as you take to the wind
As you leave and move on
(to the wind again she breaks down)
She becomes saddened and vulnerable as you leave her again
And as she breaks down within (within, within)
She becomes emotionally distressed and struggles internally
She waits for you patiently
The girl waits for you with a calm and steady demeanor
Hopin' that someday you'll see
She hopes that one day you will realize and understand
[That] all she really wants to be
Her true desire is to be
Is yours and yours alone, eternally
To be completely devoted and bound to you forever
What do you want the girl to do
What action do you want the girl to take
[Don't you know] you're breakin' the child in two
You are causing her great emotional distress and inner turmoil
[Can't you see]
Don't you realize
All she really wants is you
Her true desire is to be with you
She knows what you are
She understands your true nature
Still she'll be your queen if you let her
She will continue to love and respect you if you allow her to
(Just say the word today)
Simply express your feelings and intentions to her right now
(Build the world around her)
Make her the center of your world and prioritize her
Now and then you'll promise
Occasionally, you make promises
All the way-out things you're goin' to get her
Expensive or extravagant things you will obtain for her in the future
(You will see, you will see)
You will understand in the future
(You're so damn glad you found her, found her, years ago)
You are grateful to have found her years ago
'Cause ma she knows better
Her mother has provided her with wisdom and knowledge
As she watched you come and go (all you'll show)
She has seen you leave and return, with nothing to show for it
And as she watched your promises erode
She has observed as your promises have fallen apart and faded away
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Allen Toussaint
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind