Love founder Arthur Lee used the name Arthur Lee & Love to release the 1992 album "Five String Serenade", released on the French New Rose label. Essentially a solo album, the band does not feature any members of the Love band except Lee himself. The album did not sell particularly well, although Mazzy Star covered the title track on their 1993 album "So Tonight That I Might See". Arthur Lee & Love played several dates in Europe in support of the album.
In 1995 Rhino Records released "Love Story", a two-disc set with extensive liner notes which chronicled the period 1966–1972. This rekindled interest in the original Love, who were rumored to have been considering a reunion. However, this possibility was rendered moot when Lee was imprisoned in 1996 on weapons charges, idling both Love and Arthur Lee & Love.
Lee was released from prison in 2001, and the following year began touring as Love with Arthur Lee, with an entirely new band, composed of members of Baby Lemonade.
Seventeen
Arthur Lee & Love Lyrics
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Said silence is the wrong word
I'm gonna keep the names
That I use for myself to myself
A summer sun is shining
What will it be tomorrow?
I want to watch the world
Seventeen can't be wrong
Seventeen cannot see
I can't believe, it's been so long
Seventeen follow me
I want to walk the outside
They're burning down the houses
I'm gonna keep my eyes on the ground
When I walk, where I walk
I can't believe, it's been so long
Can't believe, I can't see
Seventeen can't be wrong
Seventeen fall on me
Never stop, never mind
Can't get good times
Summer day sunshine
Feels like anodyne
Phone jams gridlock
Standing at the bus stop
Ten o'clock tick-tock
Look at what the world's got
Please her, please me
Gonna make a big scene
Here comes, faith comes
Banging on a tin drum
Don't try, you can't fail
Can't win, you can't play
Ten o'clock tick-tock
Look at what the world's got
The lyrics to Arthur Lee & Love's song Seventeen are open to interpretation, but the song appears to be about youth and rebellion. The opening lines, "Wake up demonstrations, said silence is the wrong word," could refer to a call to action and speaking out against oppression. The singer then declares that they will keep their own identity hidden, possibly indicating a fear of retribution.
The chorus states that "Seventeen can't be wrong," suggesting that the passion and energy of youth cannot be ignored or discounted. The lyrics refer to watching the world from the edge of one's seat, indicating a desire to be engaged in life and experience it fully. The line "I want to walk outside, they're burning down the houses" could be a metaphor for societal upheaval or literal destruction, further emphasizing the idea of rebellion and chaos.
The middle section of the song feels more stream-of-consciousness, with references to gridlock, the passage of time, and a desire for attention. The final lines, "Don't try, you can't fail, can't win, you can't play, ten o'clock tick-tock, look at what the world's got" seem to be a bleak assessment of the state of the world, but also perhaps a call to action to try to make a change.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up demonstrations
Starting an awakening through demonstrations
Said silence is the wrong word
Silence is not appropriate to address the topic
I'm gonna keep the names
The words that describe me will remain private
That I use for myself to myself
I will use these words only in the privacy of my own mind or alone
A summer sun is shining
A bright and warm sun is shining in the summer sky
What will it be tomorrow?
What will the future hold?
I want to watch the world
I desire to observe the world
From the edge of my seat when it burns
To witness it come alive, despite its destruction
Seventeen can't be wrong
Being young and idealistic is not a mistake
Seventeen cannot see
Being inexperienced and naive is a part of being young
I can't believe, it's been so long
I cannot believe that so much time has passed
Seventeen follow me
Others should follow my youthful and idealistic spirit
I want to walk the outside
I want to explore the world outside my comfort zone
They're burning down the houses
Houses are being burned down
I'm gonna keep my eyes on the ground
I will be cautious when walking
When I walk, where I walk
I will be mindful of the path I take
Never stop, never mind
Keep moving forward regardless of perceived difficulties
Can't get good times
Difficulty in finding happiness
Summer day sunshine
A beautiful day with sun shining in the summer season
Feels like anodyne
The feelings of this moment are painless
Phone jams gridlock
Unable to connect because of technical issues
Standing at the bus stop
Waiting for public transportation
Ten o'clock tick-tock
Ten o'clock ticking timepiece
Look at what the world's got
Observing what the world offers
Please her, please me
The urge to please someone else and ourselves
Gonna make a big scene
To create a dramatic situation
Here comes, faith comes
Faith in something is approaching
Banging on a tin drum
Making loud sounds with a tin instrument
Don't try, you can't fail
Not trying guarantees failure
Can't win, you can't play
To win, you must play
Ten o'clock tick-tock
Ten o'clock ticking timepiece
Look at what the world's got
Observing what the world offers
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JON TAYLOR, ROD ALEXANDER, WILLIAM E KIMBER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind