Tatyana
Archers of Loaf Lyrics
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I love her dear
Once a year
I make it clear to her
So she knows
Where she lies with me
What a grand process is she to me
Although she sometimes makes me angry
When she does
I tell her
Sooooooo...
Sooooooo...
And when she does
I take her by the back of the hair
And I swing her around
And let her go
And we crash into the bedroom wall
And all the neighbors say we're happy
So happy
So very, very, very, very, very, happy and they're wrong
My darling Tatyana
She leads me on
She leads me on
And she's a very slavic girl
(repeat)
I guess Tatyana she got nothing better to do
Then sit around and try to get everybody all confused
'Cause she's my little baby and I know just where to sling her
'Cause she's a little mama and I know just where to bring her around
My darling Tatyana
She leads me on
She leads me on
And she's a very slavic girl
(repeat)
I've got a love who is happy with me
But she will not let me be
And oh she will not let me be
Anythings moving and a very big scene (?)
My darling Tatyana
She leads me on
And it's one, little two, little three, little four
My darling Tatyana, she leads me on.
The lyrics to Archers of Loaf's song "Tatyana" suggest a tumultuous relationship between the singer and his lover, Tatyana. He proclaims his love for her, but also acknowledges that she frustrates him at times. The repeated "soooooo..." implies that he often has to remind her of something or express his irritation. However, the phrase is left unfinished, leaving the listener to wonder what exactly it is that he's trying to communicate to her. The singer also describes physically abusing Tatyana, grabbing her by the back of the hair and swinging her around until they crash into a bedroom wall. Despite this violence, the neighbors believe that they are a happy couple, highlighting the damage that societal norms can inflict on relationships.
The song then takes a turn towards a more nonsensical tone with lyrics such as "she leads me on" and "she's a very slavic girl." The words "one, little two, little three, little four" add to the whimsical nature of the song. The bridge, "I've got a love who is happy with me, but she will not let me be," suggests that the singer has a second love interest, and Tatyana is the one interfering with that relationship. The overall tone is one of confusion and frustration, but also a sense of humor and lightheartedness.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling Tatyana
The singer is addressing his lover, Tatyana.
I love her dear
The singer loves Tatyana deeply.
Once a year
Once a year, the singer makes something clear to Tatyana.
I make it clear to her
The singer ensures that Tatyana understands him.
So she knows
The singer wants Tatyana to know where she stands with him.
Where she lies with me
The singer wants Tatyana to understand her place in his life.
What a grand process is she to me
The singer thinks Tatyana is an amazing person to him.
Although she sometimes makes me angry
Sometimes Tatyana makes him angry, but the singer still loves her.
When she does
When Tatyana makes him angry.
I tell her
The singer talks to Tatyana about what's bothering him.
Sooooooo...
The singer says something to Tatyana, but the lyrics don't specify what.
And when she does
When Tatyana makes him angry again.
I take her by the back of the hair
The singer physically grabs Tatyana by the hair.
And I swing her around
The singer swings Tatyana around in a forceful motion.
And let her go
The singer releases Tatyana after swinging her around.
And we crash into the bedroom wall
The singer and Tatyana crash into a wall in the bedroom.
And all the neighbors say we're happy
Their neighbors believe that the couple is happy together.
So happy
The neighbors believe that the couple is very happy together.
So very, very, very, very, very, happy and they're wrong
The neighbors are mistaken that the couple is happy when they are not.
My darling Tatyana
Repeat - The singer is addressing his lover, Tatyana.
She leads me on
Tatyana sometimes misleads or teases the singer.
And she's a very slavic girl
Tatyana is from a Slavic country.
I guess Tatyana she got nothing better to do
The singer thinks Tatyana is bored or has nothing to do.
Then sit around and try to get everybody all confused
The singer thinks Tatyana enjoys confusing people.
'Cause she's my little baby and I know just where to sling her
The singer feels very close and affectionate towards Tatyana.
'Cause she's a little mama and I know just where to bring her around
The singer knows how to handle Tatyana when she's feeling down or upset.
And it's one, little two, little three, little four
The singer is counting out loud, but it's not clear what he's counting.
My darling Tatyana, she leads me on.
Repeat - Tatyana sometimes confuses or teases the singer.
Contributed by Nolan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.