With appearances playing with various groups on “All Things Considered”, “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Tonight Show,” folk and roll songstress Patterson finished her first solo album of original songs November 20th, 2012 via Greater Than Collective. Described by Patterson in an interview as “raw,” All Princes, I is greatly influenced by Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks and Feists’s Metals. American Songwriter called it “a warm, organic-sounding album that splits the difference between indie pop, folk-rock and coffeehouse jazz”.
Patterson is a founding member of the band Paper Bird, and has performed with them in venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. She lives in Denver in a castle.
Valentine
Esmé Patterson Lyrics
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Oh, valentine
Nothing is yours and mine
Nothing is yours and mine
Well I'll put on a dress
And I'll take off a dress
Whenever I want
I don't aim to
No, I do not aim to impress you
Yeah, valentine
Oh, valentine
Honey there's nothing that's yours and mine
Nothing that yours and mine
I'll make love to
Yes, I will make love to whoever I want
So give your blessings
Or give me your curses
But I'll be just fine
Oh valentine
Yeah valentine
Honey there's nothing that's yours and mine
Nothing that's yours and mine
And after all this time you haven't learned yet
You just weaken your own heart
Till you forgive and you forget
So when you go home tonight
And you lay down in your bed
Honey, try to keep those thoughts of me
In my party dress
Out of your head
Oh, valentine
Oh, valentine
Nothing is yours and mine
Oh, nothing is yours and mine
The song "Valentine" by Esmé Patterson is an empowering declaration of freedom and autonomy. The lyrics assert that nothing is truly owned by anyone, not even in a romantic relationship. The singer wears a dress and takes it off at her own whim, without trying to impress anyone. She declares her independence by proclaiming that she will make love to whomever she wants, whether or not her partner approves of her choices. She doesn't care if her partner blesses her or curses her, she will still be just fine.
In the second verse, the song takes a more confrontational turn as the singer tells her partner that, after all this time, they still haven't learned that holding onto grudges and resentment only harms themselves. She advises them to try to forgive and forget, and to keep thoughts of her out of their head when they go to bed at night. The chorus is repeated throughout the song as a reminder that nothing in a relationship belongs solely to one person.
Overall, "Valentine" is a powerful anthem of self-love and self-empowerment. It is a reminder that everyone is their own person and can do what they want, regardless of others' expectations or judgments.
Line by Line Meaning
Valentine
The singer is addressing someone referred to as 'Valentine.'
Oh, valentine
The singer is addressing Valentine again.
Nothing is yours and mine
Nothing is yours and mine
The singer emphasizes that there is nothing that belongs solely to them both.
Well I'll put on a dress
And I'll take off a dress
Whenever I want
The artist asserts her independence and ability to do whatever she wishes with her body.
I don't aim to
No, I do not aim to impress you
The artist establishes that she is not trying to gain approval or affection from Valentine.
Yeah, valentine
Oh, valentine
Honey there's nothing that's yours and mine
Nothing that yours and mine
The singer repeats the earlier point that nothing belongs exclusively to them.
I'll make love to
Yes, I will make love to whoever I want
So give your blessings
Or give me your curses
But I'll be just fine
The singer affirms her right to choose her own sexual partners and states that she can handle any reaction from Valentine.
And after all this time you haven't learned yet
You just weaken your own heart
Till you forgive and you forget
The artist points out that Valentine's inability to let go of past mistakes only harms himself in the end.
So when you go home tonight
And you lay down in your bed
Honey, try to keep those thoughts of me
In my party dress
Out of your head
The artist tells Valentine not to dwell on sexual memories of her in order to move on.
Oh, valentine
Oh, valentine
Nothing is yours and mine
Oh, nothing is yours and mine
The artist repeats once again that nothing exclusively belongs to them both.
Writer(s): Esme Patterson
Contributed by Hailey J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.