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.
Show Some Emotion
Joan Armatrading Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put expression in your eyes
Light up
If you're feeling happy
But if it's bad
Then let those ears roll down
Some people hurting
Someone choking up inside
Some poor souls dying
Too proud to say
They got no place to lie
And there's people
If they hear a joke
Can't keep the laugh
Out of their eye
I said
Show some emotion
Put expression in your eyes
Light up
If you're feeling happy
But if it's bad
Then let those tears roll down
Some people in love
But all they got's a photography
How can they get it
Too scared
To open their mouth
To ask
I said
Show some emotion
Put expression in your eyes
Light up
If you're feeling happy
But if it's bad
Then let those tears roll down
Come on try
Learn to bleed
When you get a bad fall
Light up
Light up
Light up
If it's nice
But if it's bad
Then let those tears roll down
The lyrics of Joan Armatrading's song "Show Some Emotion" encourages people to be honest with their feelings and expressions. The first verse advises people to show their emotions through their eyes and to express happiness through their face, but also to allow tears to flow if they're feeling sad or upset. It's a message that resonates because many people tend to hold back their emotions, especially if they're negative, because they're afraid of being vulnerable or judged.
The second verse addresses people who are struggling with different types of pain; whether it's emotional pain or physical pain, it's important to release those feelings and not try to keep them bottled up. Armatrading also mentions people who have a hard time controlling their laughter, revealing that even positive emotions can be difficult to express for some. The bridge of the song urges listeners to "try" and "learn to bleed" when they fall down, both metaphorically and literally, to allow themselves to be vulnerable and open.
Overall, the song is an impassioned plea for authenticity, encouraging people to be truthful with themselves and others about how they're feeling. It's a powerful message delivered through an equally powerful anthem that still resonates with audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
Show some emotion
Don't hold back your feelings, let them show
Put expression in your eyes
Use your eyes to convey your emotions
Light up
Smile and show joy if you're happy
If you're feeling happy
Express your happiness without reservation
But if it's bad
When things aren't good
Then let those tears roll down
Don't be afraid to cry and show your sadness or pain
Some people hurting
There are individuals who are suffering
Someone choking up inside
People who are emotionally or mentally distressed
Some poor souls dying
Individuals who are struggling or dying
Too proud to say
Feeling too ashamed or embarrassed to express their troubles
They got no place to lie
Those in need of help and support
And there's people
Other people
If they hear a joke
When someone tells a funny joke
Can't keep the laugh
Laugh uncontrollably
Out of their eye
Until their eyes start to water
Some people in love
Individuals in romantic relationships
But all they got's a photography
But all they have are memories captured in photographs
How can they get it
How can they express their love or affection without communication
Too scared
Afraid or intimidated
To open their mouth
To speak up or express their feelings
To ask
To inquire or request for something
Come on try
Encouraging others to try expressing themselves
Learn to bleed
Learn how to be vulnerable and express your emotions
When you get a bad fall
In moments of failure or difficulty
If it's nice
If things are good or positive
Then let those tears roll down
Don't be afraid to show your emotions even in moments of joy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOAN ANITA BARBARA ARMATRADING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anyalazor7978
Here after Adele mentioned this album in her 75 Questions Interview (more like 95 Questions Interview lol)❤️
@jamallewis4373
Me too
@Grimzoid
And me🙂
@jenchunlin
m2
@yensigonzalez6367
Me too
@johnmuscia8499
I'm 64 met Joan when was 20 love you girl
@Locktwiste72
Before Lauryn Hill, before Tracy Chapman, there was Joan Armatrading. I grew up on her music. What made her extra special to me was that although she grew up in England, she was born in the Caribbean, like me. She's originally from the twin island republic of St. Kitts/Nevis, which is also where Alexander Hamilton, the very first US secretary of the Treasury, was born, as was my stepmother (I am from another Caribbean island not too far away called St. Lucia). So Ms. Armatrading had a big impact on my musical childhood.
@izzzzzzzzzzzie
A lot of times artists go into a studio and it ruins everything, this is one rare example of the complete opposite, I used to use this track at a Hi-Fi store, the kick [bass drum] and cymbal combo is art.
@philegan948
Music is timeless. That woman is timeless.
@jeffreybarkin3177
It's an Inspiring and Positive Song that surely Deserves our Appreciation and Respect...
Awesome Musicianship!