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.
When I Get It Right
Joan Armatrading Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I just messed up
Did bad
Done wrong
Gone too far
Caused such pain
Such shame
I'm illegal
No fair
A sin there
Act queer
Odd ball
I mishandle
You trample
So strong
Wear crown
Under foot
Put upon
Hold down
Hey when I get it right
Will you tell me please
I wanna know
You always say no
You don't mean yes
No way
Hold out
Turn around
Two refusals
Deaf ear turned here
Not want
Leave room
All fault here
Shake head
Drop dead
"When I Get It Right" is a song that speaks about the struggles of trying to communicate and connect with someone who is constantly putting you down and belittling you. The lyrics express the frustration of feeling constantly misunderstood and judged by the other person. The singer is told that she always messes up, does things wrong, and causes pain and shame, even though she feels like she's not doing anything wrong. The other person sees her as one-sided, unfair, and a sinner, even though the singer feels like she's just being herself.
The lyrics also touch on the power dynamic between the two people in the relationship. The other person is seen as trampling over the singer and holding her down, while wearing a crown themselves. The singer feels as if she's constantly being put upon and held back.
The chorus of the song expresses the longing for validation and acceptance from the other person. The singer wants to know if she will ever get it right in the other person's eyes, and if they will ever acknowledge her efforts.
Overall, "When I Get It Right" is a poignant and relatable song about the struggles of trying to connect with others, and the emotional toll that can take on a person.
Line by Line Meaning
You always say
You consistently communicate
When I just messed up
After I have made an error
Did bad
Performed inadequately
Done wrong
Committed an offense
Gone too far
Crossed a line
Caused such pain
Inflicted harm or hurt
Such shame
A feeling of humiliation or guilt
I'm illegal
I'm not supposed to do that
See one sided
Perceive something only from my point of view
No fair
An unfair or unjust situation
A sin there
A moral wrong
Act queer
Behave strangely or unusually
Odd ball
An unconventional or eccentric person
I mishandle
I don't handle it correctly
You trample
You hurt or harm by your actions
So strong
Intensely or powerfully
Wear crown
Hold a position of authority or power
Under foot
Treated unfairly or harshly
Put upon
Taken advantage of
Hold down
Suppress or repress
Hey when I get it right
If and when I perform well
Will you tell me please
Communicate openly and honestly about my performance
I wanna know
Desire to have relevant information
You always say no
You typically oppose or refuse
You don't mean yes
Your consent is not genuine
No way
Absolutely not
Hold out
Keep refusing
Turn around
Change your mind
Two refusals
Repeatedly refuse
Deaf ear turned here
Ignore my requests or pleas
Not want
Lack of desire or interest
Leave room
Not stay and discuss further
All fault here
All the blame is on me
Shake head
Disapprove or disagree
Drop dead
A harsh or impolite rejection
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOAN ANITA BARBARA ARMATRADING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Don Gio Garcia Santiago
Friday 01/01/2021 LONDON
Filmed in Battersea Park, Wandsworth and Sloane Square in Chelsea.
Joan I remember this well approximately Easter ish 1981 maybe, my school and all other kids heading home after school and we saw you and crew filming so we all joined in. My friend Ronald and I have black mop head hairstyle, in school uniform, 1st year age 12 years old. I and Ronald are on 2 minutes 6 seconds upto 2 minutes 15 seconds.
GREAT MEMORIES...THANK YOU JOAN.
❤
HAPPY SAFE NEW YEAR 2021 JOAN AND GOD BLESS EVERYONE.
Nena Woore
I was 12 years old, this song made an impression on me ! A woman with a guitar, in a video playing rock, great song. You brought back such wonderful memories. Thank you Joan !
R HUBBARD
Love your song, Joan!
One of my childhood songs I heard on MTV in the early 80's here in the southern USA.
Still sounds great after all these years! : )
Mindrolling
Joyous song and video. An underrated artist if there ever was one!
MT Rich
I remember watching this video on a local MTV knock-off station. It was beautiful seeing blacks and whites get along and sing in harmony.
Scentsurround
Was it The Video Music Channel in Atlanta? There is some footage from that channel here on YouTube.
Garcian Smith
Fantastic song and fantastic video. Criminally underviewed and underrated
Jeff Bilby
great song, happy times, experimenting in an 1980's setting- another great decade for Joan's music although she should have had a much bigger push and audience to appreciate her unique style, many hybrids with the rock-pop-reggae-soul and 1980's new-wave, all influencing and commanding attention with the visuals. One of the very best singer-songwriting electric guitarist, emotional writers.
Bob Schneider
She is amazing. God, I love her.
Adrianne Merideth
I tried to find this song years ago, to no avail. Thank you for posting it.
James Fedorchak
I discovered Joan as a young man serving in the United States Air Force in Germany in 1981. I feel in love with her soulful voice and completely unique music. Seeing Joan perform live in Heitleburg with my first true love was one of the best experiences on my life!!
Thank you Joan for enriching my life!
You are a true original and I’m proud to be a member of your loyal following!!