Little Wing
Eric Clapton / Steve Winwood Lyrics
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With a circus mind that's running 'round
Butterflies and zebras, fairy tales
That's all she ever thinks about
Riding with the wind
When she's sad she comes to me
Thousand smiles she gives to me
Anything, take anything you want, hey
Well she's walking through the clouds
With a circus mind that's running 'round
Butterflies and zebras, fairy tales
That's all she ever thinks about
Ever thinks about, hey, hey
When I'm sad she comes to me
A thousand smiles she gives to me free
Said, "It's all right, take anything you want"
Anything (anything), (anything) anything you want
The lyrics of Eric Clapton's song "Little Wing" may seem abstract or surreal, but they are steeped in imagery that evokes a sense of whimsy and escapism. The song describes a woman who has a "circus mind" and is constantly thinking about fairy tales and mythical creatures like butterflies and zebras. She seems to be able to transcend reality and walk through the clouds, riding with the wind. This imagery conjures up the idea of freedom and the desire to escape from the mundane and ordinary aspects of life.
The woman in the song is also depicted as someone who is a source of comfort and support. When the singer is feeling sad, she comes to him and puts a smile on his face. She tells him that he can have anything he wants, offering him solace and reassurance. The combination of fantastical imagery and a sense of emotional grounding creates a dreamlike quality to the song, which is enhanced by Clapton's fluid and melodic guitar playing.
Overall, "Little Wing" is a celebration of imagination and the power of love to lift us up and transport us to a world where anything is possible. It is a song that speaks to the longing for something more, something magical and transcendent.
Line by Line Meaning
Well she's walking through the clouds
She seems to be lost in her own world, oblivious to her surroundings and ordinary life
With a circus mind that's running 'round
Her thoughts are always moving and changing, like an uncontrolled circus
Butterflies and zebras, fairy tales
She imagines all sorts of magical and fantastical things, like colorful butterflies and mysterious zebras
That's all she ever thinks about
Her mind is preoccupied with these make-believe thoughts and she cannot escape them
Riding with the wind
She is carefree and enjoys the sensation of freedom like the wind
When she's sad she comes to me
When she's feeling down, she turns to her companion for support
Thousand smiles she gives to me
Despite her sadness, she tries to make her companion happy and show her appreciation
Said, "It's all right, take anything you want"
She encourages her companion to have whatever they need to feel better
Anything, take anything you want, hey
She is willing to give all she has to make her companion feel better
Ever thinks about, hey, hey
She keeps repeating over and over that all she thinks about is the make-believe world, urging the listener to understand her state of mind
When I'm sad she comes to me
The companion is also there to support the singer when they are feeling low
A thousand smiles she gives to me free
The companion is always cheerful and supportive, despite the singer's mood
Said, "It's all right, take anything you want"
The companion, like the subject of the song, encourages the singer to take whatever they need to feel better, as they will always have each other's back
Anything (anything), (anything) anything you want
The companion is willing to give everything they can to the singer, to show their support and love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jimi Hendrix
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ape2reginaforse504
Well, she's walking through the clouds
With a circus mind
That's running round
Butterflies and zebras and moonbeams
And fairy Tales
That's all she ever thinks about
Riding with the wind
When I'm sad, she comes to me
With a thousand smiles
She gives to me free
It's alright, she said
It's alright
Take anything you want from me
You can take anything, anything
Fly on, little wing
Yeah, yeah, yeah, little wing
@jae9545
thanks friend. I had an older sister of six yeas who pretty much took me all over the concert scene around the N.Y. C. the Island gigs and even Woodstock and the civil rights protests in D.C.as an 10 - 13 year old kid. She's past now and these tunes bring back so much of the unity we had back then. It was a righteous time and the music was real as we stood together in the fight for civil rights ,world peace an social justice. . The music ment so much. We were willing to give our lives. yeah and that was something.
@debraj.guillory-king595
💙💙❤❤
@nicolegossart7424
So beautiful I can't find the words to say how I love this version by Eric with Steve Winwood ❤❤❤❤
@emanuelapiccolo5773
Ho 74 anni la loro musica fa parte della mia vita.sono vissuto pane Hendrix clapton Pink zappa Santana ecc ecc.Dainese aldo
@johnathonwebster5720
Jimi would be smiling and have a tear in his eye with this version.. Brilliant
@tomkillip9912
I'll be curious if it's close to Sting's version. Of course its Clapton so expect a great version
@siegfriedehmann2737
This voice, this guitar 🎸 it goes straight into my heart ❤️
@benjybarrett5206
They complimented each other magnificently. Eric Clapton solo was from the heart and the best I've ever heard him sound. He should duplicate and never deviate from this great solo. Steve Winwood was magnificent. How could anyone thumbs down this?
@tomcooley3778
Just outstanding !
@damirkaleb8092
YEAH, FROM DEEP OF HEART AND SOUL. Like i'm old generations guitarist , i know what is this, this feeling.The guitar plays by itself .