Ah, hello...Give me missing persons, they said
What is it that you need?
I said oh, I need her so...She said you've
Got to stop your pleading

'Cause no matter what you do,
Even pray to heaven above, ooh
All you'll ever get from her is
Long distance love

I read the papers
And I got the blues
I'm so sad to hear the news
Help wanted, but not enough
You know these times are gettin' rough

'Cause no matter what Ido
Even pray to heaven above
All I ever get from her is long distance love
Woo-oh-ah-ha

You know her toes were so pretty
And her life so sweet
I wonder do she know
Do she she know she hurt me so

'Cause no matter what I do
I even pray to heaven above
All I seem to get from her is
Long distance love
Long distance love

Overall Meaning

The song, Long Distance Love by Little Feat, seems to tell the story of a man who is searching for a missing loved one. He contacts the authorities and asks for missing person's report, hoping that they can help locate the woman he loves. The authorities ask him what he needs and he replies saying that he needs her so badly. However, they advise him to stop pleading because no matter what he does, all he will get from her is long distance love. Even though he prays to heaven above, his love for her is distant and unrequited.

The man who sings the song is in the midst of the blues, reading the papers to keep up with the news. Despite there being help wanted, things are getting rough and there seems to be no solution to his problems. He is reminded that no matter what he does, he will get nothing but long distance love from his love interest. He tries to remind himself of the sweet moments they shared, but still can't shake off the pain that comes with unfulfilled love.

Overall, the song paints a picture of a man in love whose hope for love is dashed despite his efforts. He seems to have realized that his love for her is a long-shot and despite his efforts and prayer, nothing would come out of it.

Line by Line Meaning

Ah, hello...Give me missing persons, they said
The singer is speaking to someone asking for help searching for a missing person.

What is it that you need?
The person is asking for clarification about what the singer needs.

I said oh, I need her so...She said you've Got to stop your pleading
The singer is expressing their need for the person they're searching for and is told to stop begging for help.

'Cause no matter what you do, Even pray to heaven above, ooh All you'll ever get from her is Long distance love
The person the artist is searching for will only give their love from a distance, no matter what anyone does.

I read the papers And I got the blues I'm so sad to hear the news
The artist has read some depressing news.

Help wanted, but not enough You know these times are gettin' rough
The singer is commenting on the tough times and the lack of available help.

'Cause no matter what I do Even pray to heaven above All I ever get from her is long distance love
The singer is expressing frustration that the person they're searching for will only give love from afar.

Woo-oh-ah-ha
This line is a musical break.

You know her toes were so pretty And her life so sweet I wonder do she know Do she she know she hurt me so
The artist is reminiscing about what they found attractive about the person they're searching for, but also expressing sadness that they feel hurt by them.

'Cause no matter what I do I even pray to heaven above All I seem to get from her is Long distance love Long distance love
The artist reiterates their frustration that no matter what they do, all they receive from the person they're searching for is long distance love.

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Robert Cochran

on Representing the Mambo

Heard this song right before I had to go on a buiness trip to Rio. The progression of the song up the mountainside to the dangerous favelas above the city to the isolated hidden samba clubs make this song a trip you can truly take in your mind to that place.

just now