Most recently, Dessa published a book under the Doomtree banner. Spiral Bound, her collection of essays and poetry, was dubbed a “dazzling literary debut” by the City Pages and “witty and desperately honest” by Alive Magazine.
A Badly Broken Code, her solo full-length record was released in January 2010 to an eagerly waiting number of listeners and music-writers alike. It earned 4 stars from Urb Magazine, a mention in Spin, and rave reviews from publications across the country.
Dixon's Girl
Dessa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your walls to talk
But if they ask me
I ain't heard a thing
Back to the wall, bat to the ball, back to the drawing board
Back to the wall, bat to the ball, back to the drawing board
Back to the wall, bat to the ball, back to the drawing board
There was a snow storm in Jackson
When you and I met
At a club called Saint Sebastian's
But the sign said something different
I remember thinkin'
That I didn't have a shot at Mississippi-television told us
Which roads they were closing
There goes a rap show
Everybody knew you
As the wife of a famous man
Everybody who knew said
There goes Dixon's girl again
Even the walls all lean closer
When she plays the piano real slow
I haven't met too many women in this business that I really like
But you can hold a little liquor
You could hold a conversation
You could hold your own mic, and
Even that night I learned the truth about your man
You gotta be big to treat pretty girls bad
And it's not much
But my money's on you, it's not much
But my money's on you, it's not much
But my money, not much, but my money
Not much, but my money
My money's on you
Well I heard from the rest of the world you're in trouble
Bad news moves like fire that you fight on the phone
And I'm too far away, my well-wishing can't touch you
But I think of you still more than you might suppose
Everybody wanna see you with your hair down
Wanna hear you hit the high note
Wanna know if they can get you for a little less, girl I don't
I know how the stones can fly
Had some hard goodbyes
Call me up, day or night
Free drinks and bad advice
And it's not much
But my money's on you, it's not much
But my money's on you, it's not much
But my money, it's not much, but my money
Not much, but my money
My money's on you
Back to the wall, bat to the ball, back to the drawing board
Back to the wall, bat to the ball, back to the drawing board
Back to the wall, bat to the ball, back to the drawing board
Back to the wall, bat to the ball
And it's not much but
My money's on you
The song Dixon's Girl by Dessa is about a woman the singer admires, who is married to a famous man, possibly a musician since she is described as playing the piano. The song mentions how the walls "lean closer" when she plays and how everybody knows her as "Dixon's girl." Despite her association with a famous man, the singer believes that the woman has something special and has placed her bets on her abilities.
The lyrics explore the idea of being underestimated and having to constantly go "back to the drawing board" to prove oneself. The first stanza introduces the concept of the walls talking about the woman, implying that she is the subject of gossip and scrutiny. However, the singer claims to not have heard anything, indicating her support and loyalty to the woman.
The chorus repeats the phrase "my money's on you," emphasizing the singer's belief in the woman's abilities and potential for success. The subsequent stanzas provide glimpses into their initial meeting during a snowstorm and the woman's ability to hold her own in the music industry. The verse about her husband suggests that he treats her poorly despite her talent and beauty but the singer still believes in her.
Overall, Dixon's Girl is a tribute to a talented woman whose potential is often overshadowed by her famous husband. The song empowers and encourages her to keep pushing forward despite the obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh someone taught
Someone informed the walls to talk
Your walls to talk
Your walls have become talkative
But if they ask me
If anyone inquires about it
I ain't heard a thing
I have no knowledge of it
Back to the wall, bat to the ball, back to the drawing board
Getting ready to try again
There was a snow storm in Jackson
It was snowing in Jackson
When you and I met
When we first met
At a club called Saint Sebastian's
At a nightclub named Saint Sebastian's
But the sign said something different
However, the sign indicated another name
I remember thinkin'
I recall thinking
That I didn't have a shot at Mississippi-television told us
I believed I had no chance, as Mississippi-television had convinced us otherwise
Which roads they were closing
Which routes were being blocked
There goes a rap show
A rap performance is over
Everybody knew you
Everyone was familiar with you
As the wife of a famous man
As a famous man's spouse
Everybody who knew said
Everyone who was aware said
There goes Dixon's girl again
She is known as Dixon's girl
Even the walls all lean closer
Even the walls lean in toward her
When she plays the piano real slow
When she plays the piano slowly
I haven't met too many women in this business that I really like
There aren't many women in this industry that I'm fond of
But you can hold a little liquor
But you can handle alcohol
You could hold a conversation
You can engage in a conversation
You could hold your own mic, and
You can manage your own microphone
Even that night I learned the truth about your man
Even that night, I discovered the facts about your partner
You gotta be big to treat pretty girls bad
It takes a strong person to mistreat a beautiful woman
And it's not much
It's not a significant amount
But my money's on you, it's not much
But I have faith in you, even if it's not much
Well I heard from the rest of the world you're in trouble
I learned from others that you're having difficulties
Bad news moves like fire that you fight on the phone
Negative information circulates quickly, and you dispute it on the phone
And I'm too far away, my well-wishing can't touch you
I'm too distant, and my good wishes cannot help you
But I think of you still more than you might suppose
But I think of you more than you might imagine
Everybody wanna see you with your hair down
Everyone wants to see you let your hair down
Wanna hear you hit the high note
They want to hear you sing at a high pitch
Wanna know if they can get you for a little less, girl I don't
They want to know if they can get you for less money, but I'm unaware
I know how the stones can fly
I know what it's like to be criticized
Had some hard goodbyes
I've had some difficult farewells
Call me up, day or night
Contact me anytime, day or night
Free drinks and bad advice
I'll provide you with free beverages and questionable counsel
And it's not much but
It's not a lot, but
My money's on you
I'm rooting for you
Back to the wall, bat to the ball, back to the drawing board
Starting over again
And it's not much but
It's not a lot, but
My money's on you
I'm rooting for you
Back to the wall, bat to the ball, back to the drawing board
Starting over again
Back to the wall, bat to the ball, back to the drawing board
Starting over again
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Dessa Margret Wander, Mk Larada, Serge Lama
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jane Raymond
There was a snow storm in Jackson,
When you and I met,
At a club called Saint Sebastion's,
But the sign said something different.
I remember thinking that I didn't have a shot at Mississippi.
Television told us which roads they were closing.
"There goes the rap show."
Everybody knew you as the wife of a famous man.
Everybody who knew said, "There goes Dixon's girl again.
Even the walls all lean closer, when she plays the piano real slow."
Haven't met too many women in this business that I really like,
But you could hold a little liquor, you could hold a conversation
You could hold your own mic, and,
Even that night, I learned the truth about your man:
You've gotta be big to treat pretty girls bad.
And it's not much, but my money's on you
It's not much, but my money's on you
It's not much, but my money
Not much, but my money
Not much, but my money
My money's on you
Well I heard from the rest of the world, you're in trouble.
Bad news moves like fire that you fight on the phone.
And I'm too far away, my well-wishing can't touch you,
But I think of you still, more than you might suppose.
Everybody wanna see you with your hair down,
Wanna hear you hit the high note.
Wanna know if they can get you for a little less, girl.
I don't. I know,
How the stones can fly, had some hard goodbyes.
Call me up, day or night, free drinks and bad advice.
And it's not much, but my money's on you
It's not much, but my money's on you
It's not much, but my money
Not much, but my money
Not much, but my money
My money's on you
Back to the wall
Back to the bar
Back to the drawing board
[X3]
Chuck Marble
I came here because of TCM! I wonder how many other's have "discovered" this cool song and artist due to Turner Classic Movie's use of it in their June 2021 promo video? I think it's great that TCM selects lesser known songs for each of their monthly promos, and they certainly have helped turn me on to great musical artists I hadn't been aware of before. This month, it's Dessa Darling. (Hope this gives her career a little extra bump!)
Selena Cooper
Here because of TCM also! Great song❤
Mango Conchile
Same here! I had heard of Doomtree before but I had never heard this song. Thanks TCM lol
Brea Carlson
Yeah me too.
Karla Jean
Me too! I love this.
cherrynchainz
Here because of TCM! :)
Jacque Eversole
Dessa is one of the most inspirational female hip-hop artists i have ever came across. I saw her in Chicago new years eve 2014. I cried. She has literally got me through so much shit that no one could touch. Cheers to an awesome soul
punkjunkie420
I saw Doomtree at the Abbey Pub and I went to the bar during a song, turn to yell something to my friends, turn back around and Dessa is up on the bar right in front of me spitting her fire. What a great night!
femmemommy
Jacque Fairylandmarq, my exact experiences and personal opinion on her too!
S M
she came to my school today and performed this live, it's just as good as this one