Thank You Girl
John Hiatt Lyrics


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You're a little on the thin side
But that's all right
You stood by me, baby
When I didn't think we'd ever see daylight

Rolled out of California
Like a couple of thieves
Now we're rolling in clover, babe
We didn't read this in no tea leaves

My fate was sealed before I met you, darling
I was halfway down a shallow grave
So little room for you to catch me falling
Still, you took the little love I saved

I want to thank you, girl
I want to thank you, girl
I want to thank you, girl
I want to thank you, girl

It's a matter of opinion
But I think you're fine
As a matter of fact, babe
They couldn't hold a candle to your kind

If all men are equal
This must be against the law
'Cause I can't help but feeling
I'm one up on my brother when night falls

'Cause in your arms I get the real love story
No fairy tale from somewhere back in time
In the dawn, you're like a morning glory
Opening up for my sweet light to shine

I want to thank you, girl
I want to thank you, girl




I want to thank you, girl
I want to thank you, girl

Overall Meaning

In the song Thank You Girl by John Hiatt, the singer expresses his gratitude towards his significant other for being a constant source of support and inspiration. He acknowledges her physical appearance, acknowledging that she may be considered thin, but reassures her that it is not an issue for him. He reflects on how he and his partner had to leave California to start anew, however, they made it work despite the odds against them. He expresses how he was on the verge of giving up before his partner came along and saved him. Despite having little love to offer, his partner accepted it wholeheartedly, solidifying their relationship.


The singer thinks his partner is fine and considers her to be the best thing that has ever happened to him. He feels that he's one up on his brother at night time, maybe indicating that his partner is physically attractive, but more likely that she completes him emotionally in a way that his brother's partner does not. The singer emphasises the genuine love he receives from his partner, which he feels surpasses the fairy tale love stories. He compares his partner to a morning glory, saying that she opens up to his light to shine, indicating that he's much happier and optimistic than before he met her.


Line by Line Meaning

You're a little on the thin side
Although you might not seem perfect to others, I still appreciate you


But that's all right
Your supposed flaws don't matter to me


You stood by me, baby
You supported and remained loyal to me


When I didn't think we'd ever see daylight
During a difficult time, when I believed there was no hope, you were there for me


Rolled out of California
We left our past behind in search of something better


Like a couple of thieves
We may have felt like outsiders, but we were determined to make our way


Now we're rolling in clover, babe
Finally, we are experiencing prosperity and good fortune


We didn't read this in no tea leaves
Our success is the result of our hard work and perseverance


My fate was sealed before I met you, darling
Before I met you, I thought I was destined to fail


I was halfway down a shallow grave
I was close to giving up and accepting my fate


So little room for you to catch me falling
I had very little to offer you, yet you still took a chance on me


Still, you took the little love I saved
You accepted my love, no matter how small it may have been


I want to thank you, girl
I am grateful for you


It's a matter of opinion
Everyone has different tastes and preferences


But I think you're fine
I find you attractive and wonderful


As a matter of fact, babe
In fact, I feel strongly about it


They couldn't hold a candle to your kind
Others pale in comparison to you


If all men are equal
In theory, everyone should be on the same level


This must be against the law
But it seems unfair that I am so lucky to have you


Cause I can't help but feeling
I cannot help but feel


I'm one up on my brother when night falls
I feel like I am one step ahead of my peers when I am with you


In your arms I get the real love story
The love we share is authentic and genuine


No fairy tale from somewhere back in time
Our love is not a fictional tale of the past; it is real and present


In the dawn, you're like a morning glory
When the day begins, you are full of life and beauty


Opening up for my sweet light to shine
You bring out the best in me


I want to thank you, girl
Again, I am grateful for you


I want to thank you, girl
Once more, thank you


I want to thank you, girl
Above all else, thank you


I want to thank you, girl
Thank you for everything




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN HIATT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Dale Gillingham

You're a little on the thin side
But that's all right
You stood by me, baby
When I didn't think we'd ever see daylight
Rolled out of California
Like a couple of thieves
Now we're rolling in clover, babe
We didn't read this in no tea leaves
My fate was sealed before I met you, darling
I was halfway down a shallow grave
So little room for you to catch me falling
Still, you took the little love I saved
I want to thank you, girl
I want to thank you, girl
I want to thank you, girl
I want to thank you, girl
It's a matter of opinion
But I think you're fine
As a matter of fact, babe
They couldn't hold a candle to your kind
If all men are equal
This must be against the law
'Cause I can't help but feeling
I'm one up on my brother when night falls
'Cause in your arms I get the real love story
No fairy tale from somewhere back in time
In the dawn, you're like a morning glory
Opening up for my sweet light to shine
I want to thank you, girl
I want to thank you, girl
I want to thank you, girl
I want to thank you, girl



All comments from YouTube:

beccahday

one of my favorite songs. great tune, great voice.

JA White

“Thank the ladies!” indeed, been saved by their wisdom, grace and kindness more than once

John Edmondson

One of my all time favorite songs of all time!

DuneAquaViva

One of Ry Cooder's Greatest Performances in the Studio Sometimes a Tune Just Let's you let it all Hang Out..!

Joe Roberts

If this song doesn't put a smile on your face nothing will. Thanx for that song

Juan Emiliano Gallegos

The best hard rocking love song of the 1980's

Santiago Rodriguez Mendez

love this song

John Parrot

Well beyond having your heart on your sleeve. This is art.

DuneAquaViva

Some of Ry Cooder's most Rockin Slide guitar ever recorded..

Donna Bledsoe

Love him!

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