Sweet Painted Lady
Elton John Lyrics
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Opportunity awaits me like a rat in the drain
We're all hunting honey with money to burn
Just a short time to show you the tricks that we've learned
If the boys all behave themselves here
Well, there's pretty young ladies and beer in the rear
You won't need a gutter to sleep in tonight
So, she lays down beside me again
My sweet painted lady, the one with no name
Many have used her and many still do
There's a place in the world for a woman like you
Oh, sweet painted lady
Seems it's always been the same
Getting paid for being laid
Guess that's the name of the game
Oh, sweet painted lady
Seems it's always been the same
Getting paid for being laid
Guess that's the name of the game, oh
Forget us we'll have gone very soon
Just forget we ever slept in your rooms
And we'll leave the smell of the sea in your beds
Where love's just a job and nothing is said
So she lays down beside me again
My sweet painted lady, the one with no name
Many have used her and many still do
There's a place in the world for a woman like you
Oh, sweet painted lady
Seems it's always been the same
Getting paid for being laid
Guess that's the name of the game
Oh, sweet painted lady
Seems it's always been the same
Getting paid for being laid
Guess that's the name of the game, oh
Elton John's "Sweet Painted Lady" tells the story of a sailor who has returned to dry land and is excited about the opportunities awaiting him. He refers to himself and his cohorts as hunters of honey with money to burn, indicating their intention to party hard. The imagery of the rat in the drain captures the desperation and scramble for benefits that the sailors seek. He boasts of having mastered the art, stating that there's a short time for him to show his friends the tricks they have learned.
The sailor also reveals that there are beautiful and available women in the area where they have docked, indicating that there are paid sex workers. He refers to one of them, a woman with no name whom he has slept with before, as his sweet painted lady. The sailor acknowledges that many people have used her and many still do, but adds that there's a place in the world for women like her. The sailor not only embraces the idea of paid sexual favors, but he also acknowledges the inherent exploitation that comes with it.
The chorus repeats twice with a melancholic melody, revealing a sense of hopelessness on the continued exploitation of women for sex, with the notion that it has "always been the same." Hence, prostitution is considered a game with a monetary reward. The final verse speaks to the transient nature of the sailors and how they will leave and forget about their dirty hotel rooms. And regardless of what happens, the lingering scent of the sea will remain. Nothing is left unsaid or unexplained, and this gives "Sweet Painted Lady" an extra layer of depth and context to what would otherwise be viewed as a straightforward song on prostitution.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm back on dry land once again
I have returned to land after being at sea for a long time
Opportunity awaits me like a rat in the drain
There are many opportunities available and waiting for me
We're all hunting honey with money to burn
We are all searching for pleasure and willing to spend a lot of money for it
Just a short time to show you the tricks that we've learned
We only have a limited time to impress and entertain you
If the boys all behave themselves here
If everyone behaves well and respectfully
Well, there's pretty young ladies and beer in the rear
There are attractive women and alcohol available for us to enjoy
You won't need a gutter to sleep in tonight
You will have a comfortable place to sleep tonight
Oh, the prices I charge here will see you alright
The prices are fair and will cover all of your needs
So, she lays down beside me again
The woman I am with is lying next to me
My sweet painted lady, the one with no name
The woman is an unnamed prostitute
Many have used her and many still do
Many men have had sex with her and continue to do so
There's a place in the world for a woman like you
There is a market and demand for prostitutes like her
Oh, sweet painted lady
Oh, my beloved prostitute
Seems it's always been the same
It seems that prostitutes have always existed and been in demand
Getting paid for being laid
Prostitutes are paid for having sex
Guess that's the name of the game
That's how the business works
Forget us we'll have gone very soon
After our time together, we will be gone quickly and easily forgotten
Just forget we ever slept in your rooms
Please do not remember that we were here
And we'll leave the smell of the sea in your beds
We will leave behind the scent of the sea on your sheets
Where love's just a job and nothing is said
Where love-making is just a business transaction and there is no emotional connection
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNIE TAUPIN, ELTON JOHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peter Harthen
on Sacrifice
not like todays crap
Peter Harthen
on Sacrifice
Even at 56 years old, this music still sounds so good to me, how music should sound.....