Katy Cruel
Joe Dassin Lyrics

The lyrics of 'Katy Cruel' by Joe Dassin are a reflection of the challenges and disappointments faced by someone who has come to a new town with high hopes of being successful and respected but has been labelled as cruel due to their inability to fit into societal norms. The first stanza talks about the change in perception of the person with a line that reads, “When first I came to town, they called me the roving jewel. Now they’ve changed their tune, they call me Katy Cruel.” This implies that the person was once warmly welcomed and celebrated but the people's disposition towards the person somehow changed through time. It further goes on to say, "Come diddle'm day, Oh, little li-o-day," which could be interpreted as a way of saying people's perception of the person doesn't matter because they know who they are, and they will continue to live, 'Come, diddle'm day' (Come what may).

The second stanza suggests that this person once had people drink to their success, but now no one celebrates them. As the lyrics state, "When I was young and twenty, they brought me the bottles plenty. Now they've changed their tune; they bring me the bottles empty," it indicates that they had supporters when times were good, but now they are left alone to figure things out. The third stanza ends the song with a note of hope and resilience by stating, "Well, down the road I'll go, and through the boggy mire, straightway cross the fields and to my heart's desire." This tells us that despite the setbacks, the person is still moving forward, determined to achieve their goals.

In summary, 'Katy Cruel' is a song about a resilient person who refuses to give up despite the challenges they face. The song talks about the shift in the people's perception towards this person and how they continue to push regardless of the hurdles they are facing.