Valerie
Emmy Lou Harris & Linda Ronstadt Lyrics
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Like fire breathing dragons against the sky
And from their throats a scarlet river
Burns itself into smoky lullabies
Over neon and fluorescent skies
Valerie can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico
And once I knew a true love
It's been three years since he's gone
And if I could get that feeling back
I'd give up everything I own
Sixteen days since I left Corona
And I traveled to this carnival town near Alberndeel
And I rode the coaster there on the fairground
Twisted backbone of a beast that never heals
And I left some skin on fortune's wheel
Valerie can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico
But I'm stranded here alone
And once I knew a true love
It's been three years since he's gone
And if I could get that feeling back
I'd give up everything I own
Everything's in slow motion now
In this little border town
I've come so close from so far
Just to hide behind these windows here
From the world outside
I watch those cars and trucks raise trails of dust
Down the road as they pass by
Valerie can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico
But I'm stranded here alone
And once I knew a true love
It's been three years since he's gone
And if I could get that feeling back
I'd give up everything I own
Everything I own
In the song "Valerie" by Emmy Lou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a character named Valerie who finds herself stuck in a desolate industrial landscape, with factories portraying a menacing image of fire-breathing dragons against the sky. The imagery of a scarlet river pouring out from the factories symbolizes the toxic and destructive nature of the industrial world, weaving itself into haunting lullabies that echo amidst neon and fluorescent skies. The opening verses set the stage for a sense of isolation and longing for escape, as Valerie yearns to break free from her surroundings.
As the song progresses, Valerie's restlessness and desire for freedom intensify. She muses about a failed journey to Mexico, feeling stranded and disconnected from the world around her. Memories of a lost love haunt her, with three years gone since their departure, leaving her longing to recapture the intense emotions she once felt. The lyrics convey a deep sense of yearning and sacrifice, as Valerie reflects on the possibility of giving up everything she possesses in exchange for the chance to regain that lost feeling of love and connection.
The narrative then shifts to Valerie's transient journey through a carnival town near Alberndeel, where she experiences moments of fleeting joy and fleeting pain. Riding a roller coaster on the fairground becomes a metaphor for the unpredictable and tumultuous nature of life, leaving behind traces of vulnerability and resilience akin to shedding skin on fortune's wheel. The mention of Corona and a border town adds layers of geographical and emotional displacement, highlighting Valerie's transient existence amidst shifting landscapes and uncertain horizons.
In the final verses, Valerie's world slows down to a standstill as she watches the world outside from the confines of her windows. The passing cars and trucks raising trails of dust symbolize the transient nature of life's journeys, contrasting against Valerie's stagnant state of being. The repetition of the refrain "Valerie can you hear those engines drone" serves as a plea for connection and understanding, underscoring the yearning for escape and emotional revival. The song's poignant climax encapsulates a sense of longing, regret, and the eternal search for love and belonging, as Valerie contemplates the sacrifices she would make to reclaim her lost sense of self and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
To the east the factories stand
On the eastern horizon, there are imposing factories standing tall
Like fire breathing dragons against the sky
They resemble mythical dragons breathing fire into the sky
And from their throats a scarlet river
Emitting a red river of smoke
Burns itself into smoky lullabies
Creating a haunting melody of smoke
Over neon and fluorescent skies
Over bright, colorful skies
Valerie can you hear those engines drone
Valerie, can you hear the constant hum of machinery
I wanted to go to Mexico
I had a desire to travel to Mexico
But I'm stranded here alone
Unfortunately, I am stuck here by myself
And once I knew a true love
I once experienced genuine love
It's been three years since he's gone
But it has been three long years since he left
And if I could get that feeling back
If I could recapture that emotion
I'd give up everything I own
I would happily surrender all my possessions
Sixteen days since I left Corona
It has been sixteen days since I departed Corona
And I traveled to this carnival town near Alberndeel
Where I journeyed to a lively town close to Alberndeel
And I rode the coaster there on the fairground
I enjoyed a ride on the roller coaster at the fair
Twisted backbone of a beast that never heals
It felt like a relentless, unruly monster
And I left some skin on fortune's wheel
I took some risks that left me vulnerable
Everything's in slow motion now
Everything seems to be moving slowly
In this little border town
In this small town near the border
I've come so close from so far
I've made it here after a long journey
Just to hide behind these windows here
Only to seek refuge behind these windows
From the world outside
Protecting myself from the outside world
I watch those cars and trucks raise trails of dust
Observing vehicles kicking up dust as they pass by
Down the road as they pass by
Down the road with every passing vehicle
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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