A professional singer since she was fifteen, Brooks' début, a cover of Etta James's "Something's Got A Hold On Me", was released on Decca in 1964. Later she became the vocalist with a British 12-piece Stax-influenced, jazz-rock fusion band called Dada that released one, eponymous, album in 1970.
Brooks, along with guitarist Pete Gage, singer Robert Palmer and bassist Steve York formed Vinegar Joe in 1971, adding keyboard player Dave Thompson. The band was without a drummer; Conrad Isidore and Rob Tait drummed on the first album, released in 1972.
In 1974, after three albums Vinegar Joe split and Brooks went solo. After a time in the US as backing singer with the American southern boogie band Wet Willie, she returned to England. Her first solo album on A&M records was Rich Man's Woman (1975).
Powerless
Elkie Brooks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do I risk all I have, hoping you will come to me
Am I powerless, like a bird with a broken wing
Am I powerless, your love is everything
I should walk away from you I know, but I'm powerless
I can't stop myself from loving you, no
And I'll never let you go
But I can't stop believing one day I will make you mine
I feel so powerless, like a bird with a broken wing
Powerless, your love is everything
I should walk away from you I know, but I'm powerless
I can't stop myself from loving you, no, and I'll never let you go
Powerless like a bird with a broken wing, powerless your love is everything
I should walk away from you I know, but I powerless
I can't stop myself from loving you, no, and I'll never let you go
Never, never let you go
Feel so powerless
The lyrics to Elkie Brooks's song Powerless may seem like they are about love and wanting someone that is difficult to attain, but they go much deeper than that. Throughout the song, Elkie compares herself to a bird with a broken wing, a metaphor for feeling helpless and unable to fly away from the situation or person causing her pain. She acknowledges that she should walk away and stop risking everything in the hopes that this person will come to her, but she admits that she is powerless to do so. Her love for this person is all-encompassing and all-consuming, despite the fact that she knows she should let go.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, as Elkie sings about feeling powerless like a bird with a broken wing, but that "your love is everything." This can be interpreted in many ways, but it seems to suggest that even though this person is causing her pain and making her feel powerless, their love is still the most important thing to her. She cannot let go of it completely, no matter how much it hurts.
Overall, the lyrics to Powerless are about the pain of loving someone who is out of reach and the struggle to let go of that love, even when it causes nothing but heartache. It is a universal theme that many can relate to, and Elkie Brooks brings it to life with her haunting vocals and emotional delivery.
Line by Line Meaning
Only fools walk into fires, or swim too far out to sea
Taking unnecessary risks can be dangerous and foolish.
Why do I risk all I have, hoping you will come to me
I am risking a lot to gain the love of the other person.
Am I powerless, like a bird with a broken wing
Feeling helpless and weak, just like a bird with a broken wing.
Am I powerless, your love is everything
The power of love takes away all the other powers that someone may have.
I should walk away from you I know, but I'm powerless
I understand that I should leave you, but emotions are stronger than logic.
I can't stop myself from loving you, no
Love comes naturally, and it is not something that someone can stop easily.
And I'll never let you go
The love for another person is so strong that the thought of leaving them is not even an option.
I can't stop the rain from falling, or the summer sun to shine
Unable to have control over external things that are beyond someone's reach.
But I can't stop believing one day I will make you mine
Despite being powerless, the belief that the love can be reciprocated keeps someone going.
Feel so powerless
The overall feeling of not being able to control one's emotions and thoughts towards the other person.
Contributed by Sophia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
moggs
This lady makes my goose pimples work overtime. I've been a huge fan since the 1970's, and she still has it. Just love her to bits.
bojack40
Best album of Ellie’s since two days away. Her voice was never better
tony wilson
This fabulous lady's voice has not faded and is as fantastic as the day she started out! A far from from Powerless voice :-)
Pipkins H
I once wrote to Elkie at Woody Bay and got a great response & signed items. Also met her in person at the show when she signed my Circles CD. She sat on the stage after the show and was simply fab! ...My fave albums are Circles/ No more the Fool/Amazing/Electric Lady.....Love the new album too Powerless! Please visit the North west soon..we miss you...Chester city Manchester or Liverpool...please Elaine get yourself & the boys over here! Elkie, Trevor,Jay Jordan Joe & the band AMAZING!!!! **
Beccy Musson
love this song xxxx
James Tarran
This is how to sing. X factor generation, please take note
svensk stolt
Ok