Joy
LUCINDA WILLIAMS Lyrics
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'Cause you took my joy
I don't want you anymore
You took my joy
You took my joy
I want it back
You took my joy
I'm gonna go to west Memphis as I'll look for my joy
Go to west Memphis as I'll look for my joy
Maybe in west Memphis as I'll find my joy
Maybe in west Memphis as I'll find my joy
I'm gonna go to Slidell and look for my joy
Go to Slidell and look for my joy
Maybe in Slidell I'll find my joy
Maybe in Slidell I'll find my joy
You got no right to take my joy
I want it back
You got no right to take my joy
I want it back
You took my joy
I want it back
You took my joy
I want it back
I'm gonna go to west Memphis as I'll look for my joy
Go to west Memphis as I'll look for my joy
Maybe in west Memphis as I'll find my joy
Maybe in west Memphis as I'll find my joy
I'm gonna go to Slidell and look for my joy
Go to Slidell and look for my joy
Maybe in Slidell I'll find my joy
Maybe in Slidell I'll find my joy
I don't want you anymore
'Cause you took my joy
I don't want you anymore
You took my joy
You took my joy
I want it back
You took my joy
I want it back
You took my joy
I want it back
You took my joy
I want it back
I'm gonna go to west Memphis
I'm gonna go to Slidell
Lucinda Williams's song "Joy" is a heart-wrenching exploration of the despair and anger that comes from losing something so fundamental and personal as one's joy. The song starts with the declaration "I don't want you anymore / 'Cause you took my joy," immediately establishing that someone has taken something from her that has irreparably changed her life. Throughout the song, Williams repeats the refrain, "You took my joy / I want it back," emphasizing the desperation of her yearning.
However, Williams doesn't just sit in her pain; she takes action by traveling to two different locations, West Memphis and Slidell, in the hopes of finding her joy again. The repeated phrase "Maybe in West Memphis/Slidell I'll find my joy" is a plea for hope amidst seemingly endless disappointment. The song's repetition and limited phrasings highlight the deep well of grief and inspire the audience to join Williams on her journey towards reclaiming her joy.
In conclusion, Williams's song "Joy" is a moving expression of heartbreak, the struggle for hope and healing, and the relentless pursuit of joy. It's an overwhelmingly powerful declaration of a need for joy and seeking it out in the aftermath of loss.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want you anymore
'Cause you took my joy
The singer has lost their joy because of their partner and no longer wants to be with them.
You took my joy
I want it back
The singer is determined to regain their lost joy.
I'm gonna go to west Memphis as I'll look for my joy
Go to west Memphis as I'll look for my joy
Maybe in west Memphis as I'll find my joy
Maybe in west Memphis as I'll find my joy
The singer is going to West Memphis to search for their joy, hoping to find it there.
I'm gonna go to Slidell and look for my joy
Go to Slidell and look for my joy
Maybe in Slidell I'll find my joy
Maybe in Slidell I'll find my joy
The artist is also going to Slidell to look for their joy, with the possibility of finding it there.
You got no right to take my joy
I want it back
The artist believes their partner has no right to take away their joy and demands it back.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lucinda Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BelleTolles
Her band has always been beyond spectacular, and nobody has Lu's voice that is packed with raw emotion
Kelly Williams
My God why didn’t know of this band before!! They kill every note and sound!
William Richards
Both guitars we're great, the slide and lead, however the lead guitar player has to be from another planet! Just unbelievable the finger manipulation and speed with complete and at the risk of being redundant total control !! Stunning!!!
Jeannie N
That's a young Kenny Vaughan, isn't it? Still that great, and you can still hear him play for tips in Nashville some nights.
Dragon's Lair
@Jeannie N That's him, with the fastest strings in the country
JB D
Sat in a dark room for 5 hours listening to this on repeat before filing for a divorce. Can relate to what she is feeling.
Edwuurd
Just because one is tall and nerdy looking, does not mean one cannot shred on guitar. Great performance!🤘🤓
Christopher Kompst
What a fantastic performance, so happy for Lucinda’s triumph.
robert donaldson
5:10 to 6:50 possessed. This lineup is incredible. A perfect moment in time.
Thomas Minarchick Jr.
Cousin Kenny is on fire