She was born Laura Nigro on 18th October 1947 in the Bronx, New York, of Italian-American and Jewish-American parents. As a child, she taught herself piano, read poetry, and listened to her mother's records by Leontyne Price, Billie Holiday and classical composers such as Ravel and Debussy. She composed her first songs at age eight. While in high school, she sang with a group of friends in subway stations and on street corners.
As a teenager she experimented with using different names, and Nyro was the one she was using at the time. She sold her song "And When I Die" to Peter, Paul and Mary for $5,000, and made her first extended professional appearance in 1966, at age 18, singing at the "hungry i" coffeehouse in San Francisco. Mogull negotiated her a recording contract, and she recorded her debut album, More Than a New Discovery, for the Verve Folkways label. The album provided material for other artists, notably the 5th Dimension.
In 1967, Nyro made only her second major live appearance, at the Monterey Pop Festival. Although some accounts described her performance as a fiasco that culminated in her being booed off the stage,[8] recordings later made public contradict this view.[
Nyro was best known by the general public – and had the most commercial success – as a songwriter rather than a performer. Her best-known songs include "And When I Die" (made a hit by Blood, Sweat & Tears), "Stoney End" (covered by Barbra Streisand), "Wedding Bell Blues", "Stoned Soul Picnic", "Sweet Blindness", "Save the Country" (all covered by The 5th Dimension), and "Eli's Coming" (a hit for Three Dog Night). Ironically, Nyro's own best-selling single was "Up on the Roof", a cover of the Carole King-Gerry Goffin hit originally recorded by The Drifters in 1962.
She died on 8th April 1997.
In 2012 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Eli's Comin'
Laura Nyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eli's comin'
Whoa you better hide your heart
Your lovin heart
Eli's a comin and the cards say
Broken heart
Oh broken heart
Eli's comin'
Eli's comin'
Hide your heart girl
Eli's a comin'
Better hide girl
Eli's a comin'
Better hide your heart
Your heart
Eli's comin'
Hide your heart
You better better hide your heart
Eli's comin'
Better walk walk
But you'll never get away
From the burn and the heartache
I walked to apollo and the bay
And everywhere I go
Eli's a comin'
Eli's a comin'
Eli's a comin'
And he's comin' to get me mama
I'm down on my knees
Eli's comin'
Hide it girl
Eli's a comin'
Better hide girl
Eli's a comin'
Better hide your heart
Your heart
Eli's comin'
Hide your heart
You better better hide your heart
Eli's comin'
Better walk
Cry but he's never gonna follow
I cried at the corners of the square
And everywhere I go
Eli's a comin'
Eli's a comin'
Eli's a comin'
And he comin' to get me mama
I'm down on my knees
I'm down on my knees
Oh no no no
Hide it
Hide it
Hide it
Hide it
Hide it
Hide it
Hide it
Eli's comin'
Better hide your heart girl
The lyrics to Laura Nyro's "Eli's Comin'" describe the titular character's impending arrival and the warning to those with vulnerable hearts to hide them. The repeated chorus of "Eli's comin', hide your heart girl" serves as a mantra of caution to anyone who may be caught in his path. The song's tone is urgent and slightly ominous, almost as if Eli is a force to be reckoned with.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that Eli represents temptation or danger. The repeated reference to a broken heart suggests that he is not to be trusted with matters of love. The line "Better walk, but you'll never get away from the burn and the heartache" implies that Eli's influence is inescapable and will inevitably lead to pain. There is an underlying desperation in the verses, with the singer claiming that they can't outrun Eli and that he is "comin' to get me mama."
Another interpretation is that Eli is a metaphor for death or mortality. The line "I walked to Apollo and the bay, and everywhere I go, Eli's a comin'" suggests that the singer is seeking out important landmarks or moments in their life, perhaps in an attempt to outrun death. The plea to "hide your heart girl" could be seen as a plea to protect oneself from the emotional trauma of losing a loved one, as well as a warning about the inevitability of heartache.
Ultimately, the lyrics to "Eli's Comin'" are open to interpretation, but they convey a sense of urgency and fear of an impending threat, whether that threat is external or internal.
Line by Line Meaning
Eli's comin'
A warning that Eli is on his way.
Eli's comin'
A repetition of the warning that Eli is coming.
Whoa you better hide your heart
Hide your vulnerable heart from Eli.
Your lovin heart
A reference to the heart of the person being warned to hide.
Eli's a comin and the cards say
It is said that Eli's arrival brings disappointment and heartbreak.
Broken heart
A direct reference to the heartbreak Eli is said to bring.
Hide your heart girl
Reiterating the warning to hide one's heart from Eli.
Eli's comin'
Another warning of Eli's imminent arrival.
Eli's a comin'
A repetition of the warning that Eli is coming.
Hide your heart girl
An additional warning to hide one's heart from Eli.
Eli's a comin'
Again, Eli's arrival is imminent.
Better hide girl
Another warning to hide from Eli's heartbreak.
Eli's a comin'
Another warning of Eli's arrival.
Better hide your heart
Reiterating the warning to hide one's heart from Eli.
Your heart
Directly referring to the heart that needs to be protected from Eli.
Eli's comin'
Repeating the warning that Eli is coming.
Hide your heart
Yet another warning to protect one's heart from Eli.
You better better hide your heart
A stronger warning to protect one's heart from Eli.
Eli's comin'
Repeating the warning that Eli is coming.
Better walk walk
A suggestion to leave while one still can.
But you'll never get away
A warning that leaving may not be enough to avoid Eli's heartbreak.
From the burn and the heartache
The consequences of falling victim to Eli's heartbreak.
I walked to apollo and the bay
A reference to the distance that the person has gone to escape Eli's heartbreak.
And everywhere I go
No matter where the person goes, Eli's arrival is imminent.
Eli's a comin'
Another warning of Eli's arrival.
Eli's a comin'
Yet another warning of Eli's arrival.
Eli's a comin'
Another repetition of the warning that Eli is coming.
And he's comin' to get me mama
A direct reference to the singer's fear of Eli's heartbreak.
I'm down on my knees
The singer feels powerless and afraid in the face of Eli's arrival.
Hide it girl
Another plea to hide one's heart from Eli.
Eli's a comin'
Another warning of Eli's arrival.
Better hide girl
A plea to hide from Eli's heartbreak.
Eli's a comin'
Another warning of Eli's arrival.
Better hide your heart
Reiterating the warning to protect one's heart from Eli.
Your heart
Directly referring to the heart that needs to be protected from Eli.
Eli's comin'
Another warning of Eli's arrival.
Hide your heart
Another plea to protect one's heart from Eli.
You better better hide your heart
Another plea to protect one's heart from Eli.
Eli's comin'
Another repetition of the warning that Eli is coming.
Better walk
Another suggestion to leave while one still can.
Cry but he's never gonna follow
A warning that Eli's heartbreak will not end even if one tries to leave.
I cried at the corners of the square
A reference to the singer's futile attempt to escape from Eli's heartbreak.
And everywhere I go
A repetition that no matter where the person goes, Eli's arrival is imminent.
Eli's a comin'
Yet another warning of Eli's arrival.
Eli's a comin'
Repeatedly warning of Eli's arrival.
Eli's a comin'
Reiterating the warning that Eli is coming.
And he comin' to get me mama
A plea for help in the face of Eli's imminent arrival.
I'm down on my knees
Feeling hopeless and powerless in the face of Eli's heartbreak.
Oh no no no
A hopeless cry in the face of imminent heartbreak.
Hide it
A final plea to protect one's heart from Eli's imminent arrival.
Hide it
Reiterating the plea to protect one's heart from Eli.
Hide it
A final warning to protect one's heart from Eli's heartbreak.
Hide it
A plea to protect one's heart from Eli's heartbreak.
Hide it
Reiterating the plea to protect one's heart from Eli.
Hide it
A final plea to protect one's heart from Eli's arrival.
Eli's comin'
A final warning of Eli's arrival.
Better hide your heart girl
A final plea to protect one's heart from Eli's heartbreak.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAURA NYRO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tommaso Guarducci
Eli's comin'. Eli's comin' (Eli's a-comin')
Well, you better hide your heart, your loving heart.
Eli's a-comin' and the cards say a broken heart,
A broken heart.
Eli's comin', hide your heart, girl,
Eli's comin', hide your heart, girl
Girl, Eli's a-comin', you better hide, girl,
Eli's a-comin', you better hide
Girl, Eli's a-comin', you better hide, girl,
Eli's comin', hide your heart, girl.
You better, better hide your heart,
Eli's comin', better walk.
Walk but you'll never get away, no,
You'll never get away from the burning a-heartache.
I walked to Apollo by the bay, everywhere I go though,
Eli's a-comin' (she walked but she never got away)
Eli's a-comin' (she walked but she never got away)
Eli's a-comin' and he's comin' to get ya (she walked but, she walked but).
Get down on your knees (she walked but she never got away),
Eli's comin', (Hide it, hide it, hide it)
Girl, Eli's a-comin', you better hide, girl,
Eli's a-comin', you better hide.
Girl, Eli's a-comin', you better hide, girl,
Eli's comin', hide your heart, girl (hide it).
You better, better hide your heart Eli's comin',
Better walk.
Walk but you'll never get away, no,
You'll never get away from the burning a-heartache.
I walked to Apollo by the bay, everywhere I go though,
Eli's a-comin' (she walked but she'll never get away)
Eli's a-comin' (she walked but she'll never get away)
Eli's a-comin' and he's comin' to get ya (she walked but, she walked but).
Get down on your knees (she walked but she'll never get away)
Get down on your knees.
No, no, no, no Lord, I said no, no, no, no, no, no (hide it)
She can (hide it) hide it, (hide it)
You better (hide it)
Somebody (hide it), you got to (hide it).
Eli's comin'. Eli's comin' (Eli's a-comin')
Well, you better hide your heart, your loving heart
Eli's comin', better hide your heart, girl [Repeat x 4]
Tyler Forest
Eli's comin'
Eli's comin' (Eli's a-comin')
Well, you better hide your heart
Your lovin' heart
Eli's a-comin' and the cards say
Broken heart, a broken heart
Eli's comin', hide your heart, girl
Eli's comin', hide your heart, girl
Girl, Eli's a-comin', better hide
Girl, Eli's a-comin', you better hide (you better hide your heart)
Girl, Eli's a-comin', you better hide (your heart)
Girl, Eli's comin', hide your heart
You better, better hide your heart
Eli's comin'
Better walk walk
But you'll never get away
No, you'll never get away from the burning a-heartache
I walked to Apollo in the bay
Everywhere I go, whoa
Eli's a-comin' (she walked, but she never got away)
Eli's a-comin' (she walked, but she never got away)
Eli's a-comin', and he's comin' to get me, Mama (she walked, but, she walked, but)
I'm down on my knees (she walked, but she never got away)
sauquoit13456
Exactly fifty years today on November 23rd, 1969, "Eli's Coming"* by Three Dog Night peaked at #10 {for 2 weeks}, and it spent fourteen weeks on the Top 100...
The rest of the Top 10 on November 23rd, 1969:
At #1. "Come Together"/"Something" by The Beatles
#2. "And When I Die"* by Blood, Sweat, and Tears
#3. "Wedding Bell Blues"* by The 5th Dimension
#4. "Take A Letter Marie" by R.B. Greaves
#5. "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" by Steam
#6. "Smile A Little Smile For Me" by The Flying Machine
#7. "Leaving On A Jet Plane" by Peter, Paul and Mary
#8. "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" by Stevie Wonder
#9. "Down On The Corner"/"Fotunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
* And from the 'For What It's Worth' department; three of the records in the Top 10 were composed by Laura Nyro, "And When I Die", "Wedding Bell Blues", and "Eli's Coming"...
May Ms. Nyro {1947 - 1997} R.I.P.
dannydoc1969
My friends and I used to see her walking around the Village, always dressed in black. She wrote so many hits covered by other groups, and at such a young age. She was truly special, and I love her original versions over anyone elses cover.
Sexy Sadie
@David Cutaia Monterey Pop
Katy Martin
@David Cutaia I'll be checking into I haven't seen it either but I'll google search
Katy Martin
I love her songs her own versions over anyone's else too. Thanks
David Cutaia
Have you heard/check out the Poverty Train live at Woodstock? My god!
Uwe Boll
She is the greatest ARTIST ever & this VOICE is simly incredible! All her own versions are much better than the covers, Laura Nyro is in her own class!
p m
That is an absurd statement, if she is in another class then these artist are from another planet.... Stevie, Marvin, Lennon and McCartney.
Carmen Upshur-Tucker
I was a big fan of Laura Nyro's songs and music since first hearing this masterpiece on the radio when I was 15. Her voice was clear, perfect, soulful. She was a singer's singer.
Allisa Bennett
What year was that?
ALAN WHITING
What a song. What a singer. We are still listening Laura all these years later.RIP