Lonesome Suzie
The Band Lyrics
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Lonesome Suzie
Never got the breaks
She's always losing
And so she sits and cries and shakes
It's hard just to watch her
And if I touch her
Oh, poor Suzie
I'm wondering what to do
She just sits there
Hoping for a friend
I don't fit here
But I may have a friend to lend
Maybe I mistook her
But I can't overlook her
Must be someone who can pull her through
Anyone who's felt that bad
Could tell me what to say
Even if she just got mad
She might be better off that way
And where is all the understanding?
Her problems can't be that demanding
Why is it, she looks my way?
Every time she starts to cry
Lonesome Suzie
I can't watch you cry no longer
If you can use me
Until you feel a little stronger
I guess just watching you
Has made me lonesome too
Why don't we get together
What else can we do?
The Band's song Lonesome Suzie has a beautiful melody and lyrics that convey melancholy, empathy, and a desire to help a person who is suffering. The song opens with the singer introducing the titular character, Lonesome Suzie, who has never received a break in life and always seems to be losing. The singer observes that Suzie frequently cries and shakes and wonders what he should do to help her.
As the song progresses, the singer realizes that Suzie is hoping for a friend and must find someone to pull her through her difficult times. The song's tone shifts to a plea for help, as the singer acknowledges that he cannot stand to watch Suzie cry any longer. He offers to be her friend and help her until she feels a little stronger. The lyrics evoke a deep sense of empathy and concern towards a person who is struggling, which makes the song relatable to anyone who has experienced loneliness, despair or different life hardships.
The song's pacing and lyrics were inspired by the Band's interest in classic music genres like blues, rock, and country. Lonesome Suzie, which first appeared on the Band's self-titled album, has become one of the most loved songs of The Band's music, evoking a powerful emotional reaction while playing.
Line by Line Meaning
Lonesome Suzie
Introducing a character named Suzie who seems to be lonely and sad
Never got the breaks
Suzie has not had good luck in life
She's always losing
Suzie is used to losing and failing
And so she sits and cries and shakes
Suzie reacts to her misfortune by crying and shaking
It's hard just to watch her
The artist finds it difficult to see Suzie upset
And if I touch her
The singer considers reaching out to Suzie physically
Oh, poor Suzie
The singer sympathizes with Suzie
I'm wondering what to do
The artist is unsure how to help Suzie
She just sits there
Suzie remains inactive and unresponsive
Hoping for a friend
Suzie desires companionship
I don't fit here
The singer feels out of place in Suzie's situation
But I may have a friend to lend
The artist considers finding someone else to befriend Suzie
Maybe I mistook her
The singer questions if they have misunderstood Suzie's situation
But I can't overlook her
Regardless, the singer cannot ignore Suzie
Must be someone who can pull her through
The singer acknowledges that someone else may be better suited to help Suzie
Anyone who's felt that bad
The artist is reaching out for advice from someone who has experienced similar feelings
Could tell me what to say
The artist is seeking guidance on how to comfort Suzie
Even if she just got mad
The singer considers that confronting Suzie's emotions directly may be helpful
She might be better off that way
The singer believes Suzie may benefit from expressing her feelings and frustrations
And where is all the understanding?
The artist is questioning why there isn't more empathy for Suzie
Her problems can't be that demanding
The artist feels that Suzie's issues shouldn't be dismissed or underestimated
Why is it, she looks my way?
The artist is wondering why Suzie is seeking their attention
Every time she starts to cry
Suzie's crying is a recurring issue
I can't watch you cry no longer
The artist is expressing their discomfort with seeing Suzie upset
If you can use me
The singer offers themselves as a source of support for Suzie
Until you feel a little stronger
The singer hopes to aid Suzie's emotional resilience
I guess just watching you
The singer has been affected by observing Suzie
Has made me lonesome too
The artist has become lonely as a result of seeing Suzie's loneliness
Why don't we get together
The artist proposes spending time together as a solution
What else can we do?
The singer is implying that being there for each other may be a viable option
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Richard Manuel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind