Best Sunday Dress
Hole Lyrics
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And walked straight into this mess of mine
And I put on my best Sunday dress
And I walked straight into this mess
And watching you burn - ai-ay
Watching you burn - ai-ay
Watching you burn- ai-ay
Pale blue eyes so young
Pale blue eyes so far away
Watch me with his sorrow
Forgive me all his pain..
And I've come here to confess
To the wind and the rain and the glorious fame
And I've come here all undressed
For the numb and the dumb both say
The name that you burn - ai-ay
Watching you burn - ai-ay
Watching you burn - ai-ay
Watching you burn - ah
Pale blue eyes so dumb
Pale blue eyes so far away
Take him to the river
Forgive us all his pain
Oooh, I'm coming undone
He comes from the coal mine
I see you shine like a diamond
And curse us all goodnight
And I put on my best Sunday dress
And I walked straight into this mess of mine
And I've come here all undressed
With the poison and pain to take With mine
that you burn - ay-ah That you burn - ah
Pale blue eyes so young
Pale blue eyes so far away
Take me to his sorrow
Forgive us all his pain
Watching you burn (put on my best Sunday dress) - ay-ah
Watching you burn - ay-ah
Watching you burn (put on my best Sunday dress) - ay-ah
Watching you burn - ay-ah
Watching you burn (put on my best Sunday dress) - ay-ah
Watching you burn - ay-ah
Watching you burn (put on my best Sunday dress) - ah
Put on my best Sunday dress
The lyrics of Hole's song "Best Sunday Dress" are emotionally charged and somber, with hints of regret, pain, and guilt. The singer puts on her best Sunday dress, which symbolizes an attempt to present her best self to the world, but she walks straight into her personal mess. She watches someone else burn or suffer, but instead of offering help, she confesses to the wind and the rain. There is a strong sense of helplessness and futility throughout the song, as witnessed by the repetition of the phrase "Watching you burn".
The color blue is frequently mentioned in the lyrics, particularly "pale blue eyes". This could signify sadness, depression, or emotional distance. The singer recognizes the pain caused by someone else but is unable to do much about it. The phrase "take him to the river, forgive us all his pain" seems to suggest the need for purifying oneself or finding absolution through a ritual or a solemn act. There are also references to coal mines and diamonds, which could indicate the stark contrast between hardship and wealth, or between beauty and danger.
Overall, "Best Sunday Dress" is a poignant song that explores complex feelings of inadequacy, empathy, and despair. It is a heartfelt confession from someone who wishes they could have made things better but knows that it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Put on my best Sunday dress
I dressed my best for this situation
And walked straight into this mess of mine
I knowingly entered into a difficult situation
Watching you burn - ai-ay
I witnessed your destruction
Pale blue eyes so young
Your innocent eyes
Pale blue eyes so far away
You were unreachable
Watch me with his sorrow
You saw me suffer alongside him
Forgive me all his pain..
I ask for forgiveness for the pain he endured
And I've come here to confess
I came here to reveal the truth
To the wind and the rain and the glorious fame
To the forces of nature and potential recognition
And I've come here all undressed
I arrived in a vulnerable state
For the numb and the dumb both say
For those who refuse to acknowledge the truth
The name that you burn - ai-ay
The name that caused your destruction
Take him to the river
Send him to his final resting place
Forgive us all his pain
I ask for forgiveness for the pain we have caused
Oooh, I'm coming undone
I am losing control
He comes from the coal mine
He has a difficult, laborious background
I see you shine like a diamond
You stand out among the rest
And curse us all goodnight
I am filled with anger and negativity
With the poison and pain to take With mine
Taking on the suffering and burden of others
Take me to his sorrow
Lead me to where he suffered
Watching you burn (put on my best Sunday dress) - ay-ah
The devastation I witnessed despite trying to make a good impression
Watching you burn (put on my best Sunday dress) - ah
The despair I felt while trying to present myself well
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KAT BJELLAND, COURTNEY M. LOVE, ERIC ERLANDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gastonopteynde9220
The song "Best Sunday Dress" is to Courtney Love what the song "Show Must Go On" is to Freddy Mercury.
She couldn't define herself better.
I particularly appreciate her writing, which I see as Courtney Love as a child watching herself destroy her own adult life and ending up at the stake like a misunderstood witch.
Like many poets, it often takes time to recognize them.
Thank you for this wonderful song.
@em-dy3hn
Put on my best Sunday dress
and I walk straight into this mess of mine
Put on my best Sunday dress
and I walk straight into this mess....
Watching you burn....ahh ahh
Watching you burn....ahh ahh
Watching you burn....ahh ahh
Watching you burn....ahh
Pale blue eyes so young
Pale blue eyes so far away
Watch me with his sorrow
Forgive me all his pain
I've come here to confess
To the wind and the rain and the glorious fame
And I've come here all undressed
For the numb and the dumb and they all the same the name
That you burn....ahh ahh
Watching you burn....ahh ahh
Watching you burn....ahh ahh
Watching you burn....ahh
Pale blue eyes so dumb
Pale blue eyes so far away
Take him too the river
Forgive us all his pain
ooh ooh I'm coming undone, he comes from the cold mine
I see you shine like a diamond
And curse us all goodnight
Put on my best Sunday dress
and i walk straight into this mess off mine
and ive come here all undressed
all the posion and pain and i take what is mine
and you burn....ahh ahh
that you burn....ahh
Pale blue eyes so young
Pale blue eyes so far away
Take me too his sorrow
Forgive us all his pain
WATCHING YOU BURN....AHH AHH (put on my best Sunday dress)
WATCHING YOU BURN....AHH AHH
WATCHING YOU BURN....YEAH AH (put on my best Sunday dress)
WATCHING YOU BURN....AHH AHH
WATCHING YOU BURN....AHH AHH (put on my best Sunday dress)
WATCHING YOU BURN....AHH AHH
WATCHING YOU BURN....YEAH AHH (put on my best Sunday dress)
Put on my best Sunday dress........
@anastazjasowska6754
Put on my best Sunday dress
And I walk straight into this mess of mine
Yeah, put on my best Sunday dress
I walk straight into this mess
Watching you burn
Watching you burn
Watching you burn
Watching you burn
Pale blue eyes so young
Pale blue eyes so far away
Wash me with his sorrow
Forgive me all his pain
And I've come here to confess
To the wind and the rain
and the glorious fame
And I've come here all undressed
For the numb and the dumb All say the name
That you burn
Watching you burn
Watching you burn
Watching you burn
Pale blue eyes so dumb
Pale blue eyes so far away
Take him to the river
Forgive us all his pain Ooh,
I'm coming undone
He comes from the coal mine
I see you shine like a diamond
And curse us all goodnight
Put on my best Sunday dress
And I walk straight into this mess of mine
And I've come here all undressed
For the poison and pain and to take what is mine
That you burn, that you burn
Pale blue eyes so young
Pale blue eyes so far away
Take me to his sorrow
Forgive us all his pain W
Watching you burn Watching you burn Watching you burn Watching you burn Watching you burn Watching you burn Watching you burn
Put on my best Sunday dress
@punkgrl7991
Courtney is one of those geniuses that has been denied a place in the history of punk/rock or "grunge ' genre. She's an amazing songwriter and singer. She has guts, beauty and intelligence. For the past 28 years I have listened to Hole and Courtney it has saved my life and the entire Live Through album has been my best friend in very dark and lonely times in my life. Thank you Hole and Courtney.
@Duurston
She’s not denied. Hole was never Punk. She’s well known for her contribution in the grunge era by many. She just cops slack because of some of the help she had with writing some hole songs. She’s an incredible actor too. I’m glad she got you thru the dark times.
@j.c7719
She is denied being acknowledged as a great rock songwriter and artist by some because she worked with some other musicians on her songs like virtually every single other person in the music industry does. She initiated the writing of these songs singing and playing acoustic guitar, Eric Erlandsen has testified to this. She wrote all the lyrics and melodies, she played on them. What more can you want? She is definitely a musical genius and one of the greats of music in general.
@mandybeard5407
No
@floralucini2467
Well said and same here. <3
@robertgalvez4927
That's ok tho she was neither ... She has fame in the riot grrrl scene
@jamesrichardson4663
Courtney deserves so much more praise for her contributions to the music industry. She and the rest of the band hole were a great talented band and deserve so much more praise and credit!
@j.c7719
Completely agree and she was just as great in her solo career, she is a genius and poet.
@Grzesiek4Ever
One of Hole's greatest songs and they made it a b-side.
@seeliejane
Yes it’s in my top 3 favorite Hole songs, lol I had to hunt it down on eBay back in the day 😂