Joan Armatrading MBE (born Joan Anita Barbara Armatrading in Basseterre, Sa… Read Full Bio ↴Joan Armatrading MBE (born Joan Anita Barbara Armatrading in Basseterre, Saint Kitts on 9 December 1950) and brought up in Birmingham, England, is a British singer, songwriter, and guitarist.

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.

Hearts and Flowers
Joan Armatrading Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You've got the sweet innocent smile
Eyes to idolize
Shivers down my spine
Take my breath away
I want to thank you for the love you gave
And I want to thank you for the heart you saved

Thank you

Thank you for the love
I want to thank you for the hearts and flowers

People let me say
Mm this is nice
I know you think I'm foolish
And I'm making a mistake but
To me this is perfect
I want to

Thank you
Thank you for the love
I can't believe it's really happening to me

Thank you
Thank you for the love
I want to thank you for the hearts and flowers
Oh yea

I want to thank you for our rainy days
And I want to thank you for the love you gave
And I want to thank you for the month of May
'Cause that's when you came and took my tears away
And I want to thank you
Want to thank you

Want to thank you for our rainy days
And I want to thank you for the love you gave
And I want to thank you for the month of May
'Cos that's when you came and stole my heart away

And I want to thank you
Want to thank you

Thank you for the love

I want to thank you for the hearts and flowers
Oh yea

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joan Armatrading's song Hearts and Flowers express the singer's gratitude for a romantic partner who has caused them to feel love and happiness. The first verse describes the physical and emotional reactions the singer experiences in the presence of their partner's sweet and innocent smile and idolizable eyes. The chorus repeatedly expresses the singer's thanks for the love and the hearts and flowers their partner has given them. The second verse acknowledges that some people might see the singer's relationship as foolish or mistaken, but to them it feels perfect. The final verse continues the expressions of gratitude, thanking the partner for removing the singer's tears and stealing their heart away.

The song has a simple and catchy melody that complements the lyrics' emotionality. Throughout the song, Armatrading's soulful voice conveys the depth of the singer's feelings. Hearts and Flowers is a poignant love song that evokes the joy and gratitude of finding a romantic partner who brings light to one's life.

Line by Line Meaning

You've got the sweet innocent smile
Your smile is so pure and innocent

Eyes to idolize
Your eyes are so captivating

Shivers down my spine
Your presence gives me goosebumps

Take my breath away
You leave me breathless

I want to thank you for the love you gave
I am grateful for the love you have shown me

And I want to thank you for the heart you saved
You saved my heart from being broken

People let me say
I need to express myself

Mm this is nice
What we have is wonderful

I know you think I'm foolish
You may think I am silly

And I'm making a mistake but
And maybe I am making a mistake

To me this is perfect
But to me, this is perfect