Armatrading has mixed eclectic musical styles over decades of recording and performing. She has had several British hit singles, the biggest of which were "Love & Affection", "Me Myself I", and "Drop the Pilot". Her music is generally pop, with forays into rock, folk, jazz, and even reggae. Her popularity is primarily as an album artist.
She gained a new audience following her writing and performing "The Flight of the Wild Geese", which was used during the opening and end titles for the 1978 film The Wild Geese.
Armatrading first performed in a concert at Birmingham University for her brother at the age of about 16 (circa 1966). She only knew her own songs, but her brother asked her to perform something that would be familiar to the audience; she chose "The Sound of Silence".[9] She then performed her own songs around the local area with a friend from school, and played bass and rhythm guitar at local clubs.
All The Way From America
Joan Armatrading Lyrics
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And said hang on to love girl
But the weeks and the months and the tears
Passed by
And my eyes couldn't stand the strain
Of that promised love
All the way from America
You called all the way from America
And said I'll soon be home girl
But the years and the tears and the fears
Passed by
And my heart couldn't stand the pain
Of that promised love
All the way from America
All the way from America
I stayed all alone and I waited 'round
For you to knock at my door
But the knock never came and no ring
At all
And now I sit and wonder why
You made that first call
All the way from America
I don't believe I'll stay here
I don't think I wanna wait here any more
And if you search for me baby
Better bring some more love than you declared
All the way from America
The lyrics of Joan Armatrading's song All The Way From America tells the story of a love that seemed promising at first, but with time turned out to be a false hope. The song begins with the woman getting a call from her lover who is in America. He tells her to hold on to love and says he will soon return home. However, as time goes by, the weeks turn into months, and the months into years, the woman becomes tired of waiting and starts to feel the strain and pain of that promised love. She is left feeling alone, wondering why he made that first call.
The lyrics are powerful and convey the agony of someone who is holding on to a love that is slipping away. She's waiting for him to knock at her door, but he never comes. She is left questioning whether she should continue waiting or move on with her life. She decides that she doesn't want to wait anymore, and if he comes looking for her, he better be prepared to bring more love than he declared.
All in all, the song is a poignant reminder of how sometimes the promises we make to others don't come through, and how we can be left with the pain of a love that doesn't materialize despite our best intentions.
Line by Line Meaning
You called all the way from America
You phoned me from America, a long distance away.
And said hang on to love girl
You told me to hold onto our love, despite the distance between us.
But the weeks and the months and the tears
As time passed, there were many periods of waiting and crying.
Passed by
Time continued to move forward.
And my eyes couldn't stand the strain
My eyes struggled to keep waiting and hoping for your love.
Of that promised love
Of the love that you had promised to bring with you from America.
You called all the way from America
You called me again from America, but this time promised to soon return home.
And said I'll soon be home girl
You said that you would soon be back with me.
But the years and the tears and the fears
However, as more time passed, there were even more tears and fears experienced.
Passed by
Time continued to pass, and the promised return date came and went.
And my heart couldn't stand the pain
My heart couldn't bear the agony of waiting for you any longer.
Of that promised love
Of the love that you had promised to bring with you when you returned.
All the way from America
A reminder of the great distance between us that prevented us from being together.
I stayed all alone and I waited 'round
I remained by myself and waited for you to come home.
For you to knock at my door
I was waiting for you to arrive and come to my doorstep.
But the knock never came and no ring
However, you never showed up, and I never received any communication or visit from you.
At all
There was no contact whatsoever from you.
And now I sit and wonder why
I am left with questions about why you never came back as you had promised.
You made that first call
Your first phone call from America started all of this waiting and wondering.
I don't believe I'll stay here
I am questioning whether I want to stay in this situation and continue to wait.
I don't think I wanna wait here any more
I am losing patience with waiting for you and am considering moving on.
And if you search for me baby
If you do try to find me again in the future,
Better bring some more love than you declared
You'll need to bring more love and commitment than you originally promised to truly make things right.
All the way from America
A reminder of the geographical distance that created these challenges in our relationship.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Joan Armatrading
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gary Sparkes
You called all the way from America
And said hang on to love girl
But the weeks and the months and the tears
Passed by
And my eyes couldn't stand the strain
Of that promised love
All the way from America
You called all the way from America
And said I'll soon be home girl
But the years and the tears and the fears
Passed by
And my heart couldn't stand the pain
Of that promised love
All the way from America
All the way from America
I stayed all alone and I waited 'round
For you to knock at my door
But the knock never came and no ring
At all
And now I sit and wonder why
You made that first call
All the way from America
I don't believe I'll stay here
I don't think I wanna wait here any more
And if you search for me baby
Better bring some more love than you declared
All the way from America
timtak1
I love Joan Armatrading too.
But I came here because I am hoping to find more songs about love bridging distance, for all those in long distance relationshiops incldding this song
All the way from America, Joan Armatrading
500 miles, Proclaimers
2000 miles, Pretenders
Fast Car, Tracy Chapman (?)
A Thousand Miles, Vanessa Carlton
Far Away, Nickelback -
and? More please!
Daniel White
I first heard Joan Armatrading in the summer of 1980 and immediately fell in love with her. A musical genius who never got the notice she deserved here in the USA. Love ya Joan
Brazen Archer
One of the best artists that has ever lived!
Peter Williams
Ain't that right .
Kari Williams
Lives. She's still with us. 🙄
BP63
@Peter Williams ain't that wrong.
Robert Johnson
One of the most talented yet underrated artists in the last 40 years. A beautiful album and song as is the rest of her catalog. We are fortunate she has created gems like this one. From 1980. The magic Joan Armatrading.
Phakiso Mofokeng
Robert Johnson. She is absolutely great!!
Glen C
Simon Bates played this twice on Radio 1 when it came out. If you are English, you'll know who I mean..
Bob The Bear
*in the last 50 years. Joan put-out her debut album in 1973.
Gary Sparkes
You called all the way from America
And said hang on to love girl
But the weeks and the months and the tears
Passed by
And my eyes couldn't stand the strain
Of that promised love
All the way from America
You called all the way from America
And said I'll soon be home girl
But the years and the tears and the fears
Passed by
And my heart couldn't stand the pain
Of that promised love
All the way from America
All the way from America
I stayed all alone and I waited 'round
For you to knock at my door
But the knock never came and no ring
At all
And now I sit and wonder why
You made that first call
All the way from America
I don't believe I'll stay here
I don't think I wanna wait here any more
And if you search for me baby
Better bring some more love than you declared
All the way from America