In 1998, following the breakup of Archers of Loaf, Bachmann started work on a solo project that he named Crooked Fingers. The first outcome of this project, a self-titled release of various songs he had written, was released by WARM in 2000. It was followed shortly after by a second album on WARM, Bring on the Snakes. Reservoir Songs EP, a collection of covers of songs by artists such as Neil Diamond and Queen, was released on the Merge label in 2002. Red Devil Dawn followed in 2003, and Dignity and Shame in 2005.
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Valerie
Crooked Fingers Lyrics
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To your window I stumbled by chance and I peeked in on you
Red roses, silk, you in your sleek summer dress
You were light revelation, oh, I love you the best, Valerie
I don't want to waste no time, I'm tired and I want something true
I don't need those peep show girls no more, no I only want you
Come on and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
I seen you dancing alone in your room
By the moonlight to a violin the night I fell for you
And out of the darkness you took me by the hand
I went in just a boy and came out with you a man, Valerie
I don't want to be caught blinded thinking there ain't nothing new
I don't need those street kicks anymore, no I only want you
So come on and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie, alright
I don't want to waste no time, I'm tired and I want something new
I don't need those quick fix girls no more, no I only want you
So come on now and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
As I went wandering drunk down your street
To your window I stumbled by chance and I peeked in on you
Cognac and cola upon your sweet breath
Oh, my angel of darkness, I love you til my death, Valerie
I don't want to be caught blinded thinking there ain't nothing new
You know those street kicks are such a bore cause I only want you
So come on now and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
I don't want to waste no time, I'm tired and I want something true
I don't need those peep show girls no more, no I only want you
So come on and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
The song "Valerie" by Crooked Fingers depicts the desire of the singer for a woman named Valerie. The singer is depicted as being drunk and stumbling along the street in search of Valerie. He spies into her window and sees her in her summer dress, surrounded by silk and roses. She is presented as a vision of grace and beauty, causing the singer to declare his love for her.
The rest of the lyrics talk about Valerie being the only thing the singer wants, as he has grown tired of other girls and quick fixes. He had fallen in love with her when he saw her dancing alone in her room to a violin under the moonlight. She had taken him out of the darkness and he felt like he had come out a man, thanks to her. The singer wants Valerie to give herself to him so that they may be together.
Overall, the song showcases the singer's deep love and desire for Valerie, someone who he feels is the only thing that can give his life true meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
As I went wandering drunk down your street
I stumbled upon your street while intoxicated.
To your window I stumbled by chance and I peeked in on you
By accident I caught a glimpse of you through your window.
Red roses, silk, you in your sleek summer dress
You looked beautiful in a summer dress, holding roses while surrounded by silk.
You were light revelation, oh, I love you the best, Valerie
Seeing you was a revelation, and I love you more than anything, Valerie.
I don't want to waste no time, I'm tired and I want something true
I'm tired of meaningless things and want something genuine.
I don't need those peep show girls no more, no I only want you
I don't need those shallow, spectacle girls when all I want is you.
Come on and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
Please give yourself to me, Valerie.
I seen you dancing alone in your room
I saw you dancing by yourself in your room.
By the moonlight to a violin the night I fell for you
I fell for you while watching you dance by moonlight to the sound of a violin.
And out of the darkness you took me by the hand
You took my hand and led me out of the darkness.
I went in just a boy and came out with you a man, Valerie
When I entered I was a boy, but I came out a man with you, Valerie.
I don't want to be caught blinded thinking there ain't nothing new
I don't want to be complacent and think there's nothing new out there.
I don't need those street kicks anymore, no I only want you
I don't need to go out and have experiences for the sake of it, I only want to be with you.
So come on and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie, alright
Let's be together, Valerie.
I don't want to waste no time, I'm tired and I want something new
I'm tired of the same old thing and want something fresh.
I don't need those quick fix girls no more, no I only want you
I don't need shallow, temporary experiences anymore, I only want to be with you.
So come on now and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
Please be mine, Valerie.
Cognac and cola upon your sweet breath
I smell cognac and cola on your breath, which is pleasant to me.
Oh, my angel of darkness, I love you til my death, Valerie
You are my dark angel, and I will love you until the end of my life, Valerie.
You know those street kicks are such a bore cause I only want you
I find pointless experiences to be boring because all I want is you.
So come on now and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
Please give yourself to me, Valerie.
I don't want to waste no time, I'm tired and I want something true
I'm tired of dishonesty and want something genuine.
I don't need those peep show girls no more, no I only want you
I don't want superficial people in my life, I only want you.
So come on and give it to me, Valerie, Valerie
Please be mine, Valerie.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Eric Emil Bachmann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind