Sweet And Low
Deborah Harry Lyrics

The song "Sweet And Low" by Deborah Harry features lyrics that are rich in symbolism and imagery. The opening lines, "Compliments and condiments, added to the rest, the sense of taste, delicious only on request," evoke a sense of artificiality and suggest that the singer is not interested in superficial niceties. As the chorus kicks in, the focus shifts to the singer's desire for something more basic: "Sweet and low, that's the way I like it, baby I can't fight it, make me feel delightful." This refrain is repeated throughout the song, creating a sense of urgency and desire.

The second verse follows a similar pattern to the first, with lines like "Count me out, scream and shout, put me to the test" suggesting that the singer is not interested in playing games or conforming to social norms. The line "Synthetic only on request" is especially interesting, as it implies that the singer is willing to accept artificiality, but only if it is something that they have asked for. This suggests a self-awareness and a sense of agency on the part of the singer.

The final repetition of the chorus includes the addition of the phrase "Sweet and low sweet chariot, baby won't you carry me home." This is likely a reference to the traditional African American spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," which is a song about death and the desire to be carried away to heaven. In the context of "Sweet And Low," this line takes on a somewhat different meaning, suggesting a desire to be taken away from the superficiality of the world and into a more authentic, satisfying space.