Bettye LaVette (born Betty Jo Haskins, January 29, 1946) is an American sou… Read Full Bio ↴Bettye LaVette (born Betty Jo Haskins, January 29, 1946) is an American soul singer-songwriter who made her first record at sixteen, but achieved only intermittent fame until 2005, with her album I've Got My Own Hell to Raise. Her eclectic musical style combines elements of soul, blues, rock and roll, funk, gospel, and country music.

With one of her first singles turning into a national hit, 1962's "Let Me Down Easy", Detroit-raised LaVette would seem a natural soul star, but she was never able to cut an album deal. In 1972 her album A Child of the Seventies was shelved by Atlantic Records, then thought lost forever in a fire. She eked out a living on the European festival circuit, occasionally surfacing such as with the disco single "Doin' the Best that I Can", but remained obscure until French soul collector Gilles Petard tracked down the lost masters and persuaded Atlantic to let him release them on his vanity label as Souvenirs. A live album and 2005's cover album I've Got My Own Hell to Raise followed.

With the release of The Scene of the Crime, Bettye Lavette inches closer to the mainstream, or at least a much bigger cult following. Backed by The Drive-by Truckers and released on -Anti, The Scene of the Crime is recorded at the legendary FAME studios in Muscles Shoals, Alabama. The same place as her lost album. The connection doesn't end there - Patterson Hood of the Drive-by Truckers is the son of David Hood, who played on the 1972 album.

In 2009, she appeared at President Barack Obama's Inaugural Celebration, singing "A Change Is Gonna Come" with Jon Bon Jovi. It was televised globally.

Complicated
Bettye Lavette Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

She looks so simple in her way
And does the same thing everyday
But she's dedicated
To having her own way
She's very complicated
Yeah

And women seem to fill her mind

And many men in so short time
But she's underrated
She treats me, oh so, kind
She's very complicated
Yeah

We talk together and discuss
What is really best for us
She's sophisticated
My head's fit to bust
'Cause she's so complicated
Right, yes

She know just how to please her man
Softer than a baby lamb
But she's educated
Doesn't give a damn
She's very complicated
Right, yeah

She looks so simple in her way
And does the same thing everyday
But she's dedicated
To having her own way
She's very complicated
Right, right

Come on baby

Yeah, come on baby
Come on baby

Overall Meaning

Bettye Lavette's song "Complicated" is an ode to a woman who appears simple on the surface but is actually complex and full of contradictions. The opening lines describe the woman's outward appearance as plain and predictable, but the lyrics quickly reveal her unpredictable and enigmatic nature. She is dedicated to having her own way, a trait that is often seen as complicated and difficult.

The woman in question is also constantly thinking about both women and men, suggesting that she may be bisexual or simply open to exploring different types of relationships. Despite this, the singer feels that she is underrated and treats him kindly. They discuss what is best for them together, but the singer is often left feeling overwhelmed and confused by her complexity and sophistication.

Overall, the song celebrates the woman's complexity while also highlighting the challenges that this can bring to relationships. It suggests that even though she may be difficult to understand, she is ultimately worth the effort.

Line by Line Meaning

She looks so simple in her way
Despite her simple appearance, she has a complex personality.

And does the same thing everyday
She has a routine and follows it daily.

But she's dedicated
She is committed to her own way of doing things.

To having her own way
She likes to have control over her life.

She's very complicated
Overall, she is a complex individual.

And women seem to fill her mind
She often thinks about other women.

And many men in so short time
She has been with many men in a short time period.

But she's underrated
People underestimate her true worth and value.

She treats me, oh so, kind
She treats the artist very kindly.

We talk together and discuss
The two communicate and discuss important matters.

What is really best for us
They talk about what is best for both parties involved.