"YOUNG GIRL"
"WOMAN WOMAN"
"LADY WILLPOWER"
"OVER YOU"
"THIS GIRL IS A WOMAN NOW"
"KEEP THE CUSTOMER SATISFIED"
"DON'T GIVE IN TO HIM"
"HOME"
GARY PUCKETT has performed on more than thirty network television shows and prime time specials during his career, even adding a command performance for the President and Prince Charles at the White House. The Union Gap disbanded in the seventies. In 1974, "Young Girl" was reissued in England where it received a silver record award for attaining a top five position on the pop charts, several years after its initial release.
Gary continues to tour nationally & internationally, has a new album out now, "GARY PUCKETT - LIVE", and has recently released his first ever Chrismas CD, entitled "At Christmas".
Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs
Gary Puckett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I didn't get that raise in pay today
And I know how much she wanted that dress in Baker's window and it breaks my heart to see her have to wait
And cancel all the plans she made to celebrate
But I can count on her to take it with a smile and not a frown
She knows that life has its little ups and downs
Like ponies on a merry-go-round
But she don't mind
She wears a gold ring on her finger
And it's mine
The new house plans we've had so long
I guess will gather dust another year
And the daffodils are blooming that she planted last fall upon the hill
And over by the gate
Lord knows I hate to say again we'll have to wait
But I can count on her to take it with a smile and not a frown
She knows that life has its little ups and downs
Like ponies on a merry-go-round
And no one grabs the brass ring every time
But she don't mind
She wears a gold ring on her finger
And it's mine
She wears a gold ring on her finger
And it's mine (life has its little ups and downs)
Oh, it's mine
Yes, and it's mine (like ponies on a merry-go-round)
Oh, it's mine
Don't you know that it's mine (life has its little ups and downs)
Yes, it's mine
Oh, that lady's mine (like ponies on a merry-go-round)
Oh, she's mine
The lyrics of Gary Puckett's "Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs" describe a couple going through tough times. The singer is struggling with financial issues, having not received a raise in pay and is unable to buy his partner the dress she wanted. The couple also had to cancel plans to celebrate due to financial constraints. Even their plans to build a new house are on hold, and they must wait to get it started. However, despite all these difficulties, the singer's partner maintains a positive outlook, knowing that life has its ups and downs, just like the ponies on a merry-go-round. She wears a gold ring on her finger, a symbol of their love and commitment to each other, through both the good times and the bad.
The song speaks to the theme of resilience in the face of adversity. It showcases the idea of holding on to hope even when things seem bleak. The singer's partner serves as an example of how to handle challenges with grace and optimism. The song conveys a message of appreciation for the simple things in life, such as the love of a partner, which is greater than any material possession.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know how to tell her
The singer is unsure how to break news to his partner.
That I didn't get that raise in pay today
The singer did not receive a hoped-for raise at work.
And I know how much she wanted that dress in Baker's window and it breaks my heart to see her have to wait
The singer is aware of his partner's desire for a dress, and is saddened that she cannot have it yet.
And cancel all the plans she made to celebrate
Plans have been made and now need to be cancelled due to financial strain.
But I can count on her to take it with a smile and not a frown
The artist trusts that his partner will remain positive.
She knows that life has its little ups and downs
The singer's partner understands that life has its ups and downs.
Like ponies on a merry-go-round
Life's fluctuations are like the continuous cycle of ponies on a merry-go-round.
And no one grabs the brass ring every time
Not every opportunity will result in success.
But she don't mind
The artist's partner is not overly bothered by these disappointments.
She wears a gold ring on her finger
The artist's partner is married.
And it's mine
The singer is married to the woman who wears the gold ring.
The new house plans we've had so long
The couple has long-standing plans to buy a new home.
I guess will gather dust another year
The plans for a new home will have to wait another year.
And the daffodils are blooming that she planted last fall upon the hill
Spring has arrived, and things are blooming.
And over by the gate
There is a gate nearby.
Lord knows I hate to say again we'll have to wait
It is frustrating for the artist to have to delay plans yet again.
She wears a gold ring on her finger
The artist's partner is still married to him.
And it's mine
The singer reiterates the ownership of the gold ring.
Oh, it's mine
The singer emphasizes that the ring is indeed his.
Yes, and it's mine
The artist confirms that he is still married to the woman who wears the gold ring.
Oh, that lady's mine
The artist again expresses ownership over his partner.
Oh, she's mine
The artist concludes the song by proclaiming his ownership over his partner.
Contributed by Kennedy J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.