Jesse James
Charley Bird Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're strutting into town like you're slinging a gun
Just a small-town dude with a big city attitude
Honey are you looking for some trouble tonight?
Well, alright

You think you're so bad drive the women folk wild
Shoot 'em all down with a flash of your pearly smile
Honey, but you met your match tonight
Oh, that's right

You think you'll knock me off my feet 'til I'm flat on the floor
'Til my heart is crying Indian and I'm begging for more
So come on baby
Come on baby
Come on baby show me what that loaded gun is for

If you can give it
I can take it
Cause if this heart is gonna break, its gonna take a lot to break it
I know tonight somebody is gonna win the fight

So if you're so tough
Come on and prove it
Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Just like Jesse James

You break the laws of love in the name of desire
Take ten steps back
Cause I'm ready baby
Aim and fire
Baby, there's nowhere you're gonna run tonight
Oh, that's right

Well, you've had your way with love, but its the end of the day
Now a team of wild horses couldn't drag your heart away

So come on baby
Come on baby
Come on baby
Come on

If you can give it
I can take it
Cause if this heart is gonna break, it's gonna take a lot to break it
I know tonight somebody's gonna win the fight

So if you're so tough
Come on and prove it
Your heart is down for the count, and you know you're gonna lose it
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Just like Jesse James




Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Just like Jesse James

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Charley Bird's "Jesse James" tell the story of a small-town man with a big ego who enters a town with a chip on his shoulder. He thinks he's hot stuff and can win over any woman with his charming smile. However, the singer of the song is not impressed and challenges him to show what he's made of. The lyrics reference a shootout with the line "If you're so tough, come on and prove it," showing this is not just a simple love song, but rather a bit of a dramatic showdown between two people.


The singer is not afraid to stand up to the big city man and even warns him that he won't be able to run away from the consequences of his actions. The lyrics reference the famous outlaw Jesse James, indicating that this small-town man may be a danger to others. The chorus repeats the line, "tonight you're gonna go down in flames just like Jesse James," solidifying the idea that the singer sees this man as trouble.


In summary, the song is a tale of a man who thinks he's invincible, but the singer sees right through him and is willing to stand up to him. The lyrics are clever and use imagery that refers to a shootout between the two characters, making it a bit of a dramatic love story.


Line by Line Meaning

You're strutting into town like you're slinging a gun
You come into town with an air of confidence, like you're the toughest guy around.


Just a small-town dude with a big city attitude
You may come from a small town, but you have a big ego and act like you're from the big city.


Honey are you looking for some trouble tonight?
Are you looking for a fight or some kind of confrontation tonight, my dear?


Well, alright
Okay, I'm ready for whatever you've got.


You think you're so bad drive the women folk wild
You think you're so cool and desirable that women are just falling at your feet.


Shoot 'em all down with a flash of your pearly smile
You believe that your good looks and charm can win over any woman.


Honey, but you met your match tonight
However, you've finally met someone who won't fall for your charm and isn't intimidated by you.


Oh, that's right
That's correct, you've finally met your match.


You think you'll knock me off my feet 'til I'm flat on the floor
You believe you can impress me and sweep me off my feet with your playboy ways.


'Til my heart is crying Indian and I'm begging for more
Until I'm completely smitten and begging for more, like an Indian in a Western film.


So come on baby
Let's see what you've got, bring it on.


Come on baby
Again, show me what you can do.


Come on baby show me what that loaded gun is for
Show me what makes you think you're so special and better than anyone else.


If you can give it
If you think you have the goods.


I can take it
I can handle whatever you're dishing out.


Cause if this heart is gonna break, its gonna take a lot to break it
If you want to make me fall for you and then hurt me, it won't be easy.


I know tonight somebody is gonna win the fight
One of us will come out on top tonight, either you or me.


So if you're so tough
If you believe you're really strong and tough.


Come on and prove it
Show me, prove it to me.


Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
Your heart is about to give in and you know you're going to lose this battle.


Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
You're going to suffer a big loss tonight.


Just like Jesse James
Like the famous outlaw who met a tragic end.


You break the laws of love in the name of desire
You toss aside love and morality in favor of your own selfish desires.


Take ten steps back
Back off, give me some space.


Cause I'm ready baby
I'm prepared for whatever comes next.


Aim and fire
Show me what you're made of, take your best shot.


Baby, there's nowhere you're gonna run tonight
You can't escape the situation or the inevitable outcome tonight.


Well, you've had your way with love, but its the end of the day
You've had your fun and games with love, but it's time to face reality.


Now a team of wild horses couldn't drag your heart away
You've fallen hard and nothing can change that.


Come on baby
One more time, show me what you've got.


Come on baby
Again, I'm ready for whatever you're bringing.


Come on
Bring it on, let's go.


Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
This is it, you're going to crash and burn tonight.


Just like Jesse James
The same fate as the famous outlaw awaits you.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DESMOND CHILD, DIANE EVE WARREN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Michael Potvin

Even I can hear the difference in voice patterns. CT prides themselves on live performances. Great singer. Listened to both several times, yes there are differences.

Brittany Whitmire

She's got a great voice. She's very beautiful as well!

Zemir Junuzovic

I am With You!

Tomboy71679

LOVE this song!! She has beautiful voice!!!!

Brandon Evans

Beautiful voice!!! Best cover of her song ever looking for an album with you on it georgeous as well!!!

Steven Hutchinson

What a voice !!! Wow

Aaliyah Chambers

I listen to this about once a week.  Fascinated by her voice and looks.  I am curious as to how Brits and the Irish singers talk in their accents but sing with no accent and in perfect English.

Tattoo Paul

Totally love this song it's one of my favourites and charley is such a total babe and she's also a very close friend of mine. She's truly amazing with all what she does. Well done babe x

Zahira Rodriguez Torres

Very interesting performance. Loved it! I will definitely copy her interpretation.

Gary Brinck

Wow! First time I've seen her (Charley) rather than the lip-synched version in CT's That's Entertainment. She is dynamite!

More Comments

More Versions