Little Girl
Eric Clapton and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Lyrics
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You've been through 18 years of pain.
You're gonna be mine, little girl,
You've been through 18 years of pain.
I'm gonna give you a love, child,
You won't feel bad again.
You've been mistreated, little girl,
You've been mistreated, little girl,
But I swear, I swear it'll be outgrown.
I'm gonna give you a love, child,
Something you've never known.
You're gonna be mine, little girl,
Even if I can't have you by my side.
You're gonna be mine, little girl,
Even if I can't have you by my side.
You're gonna remember the love, child,
That made you satisfied.
The lyrics in "Little Girl" by Eric Clapton and John Mayall express the desire to rescue the titular "little girl" from her past struggles and offer her a fresh start in life. The first verse introduces the idea that the girl has been through "18 years of pain" and that the singer intends to give her a new love that will heal her emotional wounds. The second verse acknowledges that the girl has been mistreated in the past, but the singer assures her that his love will help her overcome those obstacles. The final verse confirms the singer's commitment to the girl, even if he cannot physically be with her, and promises that the memory of his love will continue to bring her happiness.
The lyrics could be interpreted as paternalistic or possessive, with the singer seeking to control and rescue the girl rather than treating her as an equal partner. However, they might also be viewed as well-intentioned and sincere, with the singer offering comfort and compassion to someone who has suffered.
Overall, "Little Girl" is a blues-inflected song about the redemptive power of love, and the lyrics demonstrate a desire to heal past emotional wounds and promote happiness and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
You're gonna be mine, little girl,
I want you to be with me and I will do everything to have you.
You've been through 18 years of pain.
You have experienced a lot of difficulties in your life for the last 18 years.
I'm gonna give you a love, child,
I will provide you with love and care that you have never experienced before.
You won't feel bad again.
You will never feel alone or upset again when you're with me.
You've been mistreated, little girl,
You have been mistreated and I want to take away your pain.
But I swear, I swear it'll be outgrown.
I promise that everything that has happened to you will be resolved in time with my love.
Something you've never known.
I will give you a kind of love that you have not experienced before.
Even if I can't have you by my side.
Even if I cannot be physically with you all the time, my love for you will remain the same.
That made you satisfied.
The love I provide you with will make you feel contented and fulfilled.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN MAYALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ThrashRoC
í was Born 66 ..
I m proud of the Great Great Music of this time
Clapton , Page , Hendrix , Blackmore , The Doors , YEAH this SOUND ROCKS !!
@redhotfunkyblues
I saw this line-up two or three times and the effect of Eric Clapton's guitar playing then was stunning - there was nobody else around playing with that passion and tone. Great rhythm section too! Next saw Mayall with Peter Green - all these gigs were in small clubs - and had a chat with PG after the gig as they were packing up. We was very friendly and down to earth and had just played his socks off!
@LaMusicade4
saw Mayall under a bridge in Philadelphia ! AWESOME
@keithrandall1492
As my late friend James Harman used to say, 'You can't buy that now'. I saw this Mayall line up in May '66 and the Green version about six times. I never understood what Mayall heard in Mick Taylor....
@rocksandbones7498
I'm 11 and I'm listening to this
@MyTube4Utoo
Clapton was cookin' when I was barely out of diapers, and I never caught up. :-(
@robiveevee840
back in the day my brothers had that album (i was maybe 12) . i learned to play guitar , and those songs and riffs are still fresh in my mind , great stuff !
@tuxguys
Listen to how good this arrangement is:
Incredibly tight, and incredibly well-thought out, and, essentially, a duet between two voices, Mayall's human one, and Clapton's instrumental one.
McVie is playing amazing bass, yet still adhering to the arrangement, and Flint is playing drums with a musicality worthy of Joe Morello.
What a well-spring of talent this quartet was.
@DucksDeLucks
What a magnificent solo, just perfect, every note in place EC makes it sound so easy but it's not.
@thomaseichacker9095
this was my favorite of all his recordings. It is crisp and it is a perfect song .