Focusing primarily on instrumental composition and playing, Kottke also sings sporadically, in an unconventional yet expressive baritone described by himself as sounding like "geese farts on a muggy day".[1] In concert, Kottke intersperses humorous and often bizarre monologues with vocal and instrumental selections from throughout his career, played solo on 6- and 12-string guitars.
Louise
Leo Kottke Lyrics
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It was written on the walls and window shades
And though she'd act the little girl
A deceiver, don't believe her, that's her trade
Sometimes a bottle of perfume, flowers and maybe some lace
Men brought Louise 10-cent trinkets
Their intentions were easily traced
And everybody knew at times she cried
Ah but women like Louise they get by
And everybody thought it kind of sad
When they found Louise in her room
They'd always put her down below their kind
Still some cried when she died this afternoon
Louise rode home on the mail train
Somewhere to the South I heard them say
Too bad it ended so ugly
Too bad she had to go this way
And the wind is blowin' cold tonight
So goodnight, Louise, goodnight.
In Leo Kottke’s song “Louise”, he tells the story of a woman named Louise who was a victim of the judgmental and hypocritical society she lived in, where she was labeled as a prostitute and ostracized. The lyric “They said that Louise was not half-bad, it was written on the walls and window shades” suggests that although people acknowledged that Louise was not a bad person, they still continued to mistreat her. Despite her efforts to act like a little girl, people saw it as an act of deception and they didn’t believe her. This line “A deceiver, don’t believe her, that’s her trade” shows how people never gave Louise a chance to change or redeem herself.
The song talks about how men would bring Louise gifts, but their intentions were not pure, as they only saw her as a cheap pleasure. The lyrics “Sometimes a bottle of perfume, flowers and maybe some lace, Men brought Louise 10-cent trinkets, Their intentions were easily traced” portrays how people objectified her and viewed her as nothing more than a plaything. Even though Louise acted tough, the lyrics “And everybody knew at times she cried, Ah but women like Louise they get by” suggest that society pushed her into this path and left her with no other option.
The song has a tragic ending as Louise is found dead in her room, and the society that judged her is now mourning her death. “And everybody thought it kind of sad, When they found Louise in her room, They’d always put her down below their kind, Still some cried when she died this afternoon.” The final verse talks about Louise’s body being taken back home on a mail train, while the wind blows cold, signaling the end of her journey. The lyrics “Too bad it ended so ugly, Too bad she had to go this way, And the wind is blowin’ cold tonight, So goodnight, Louise, goodnight” express the sadness and regret of society.
Line by Line Meaning
They said that Louise was not half-bad
Louise had a reputation of being an attractive woman.
It was written on the walls and window shades
Her reputation as an attractive woman was widely known and talked about.
And though she'd act the little girl
Despite appearing innocent and naive, Louise was not to be trusted.
A deceiver, don't believe her, that's her trade
Louise was known for her manipulative and deceitful behavior.
Sometimes a bottle of perfume, flowers and maybe some lace
Men would try to win Louise over with small, insignificant gifts.
Men brought Louise 10-cent trinkets
Men would try to impress Louise with cheap, worthless gifts.
Their intentions were easily traced
Louise could see right through the men's attempts to woo her.
And everybody knew at times she cried
Despite her manipulative ways, Louise had moments of vulnerability.
Ah but women like Louise they get by
Women like Louise know how to survive despite their circumstances.
And everybody thought it kind of sad
People pitied Louise for her situation.
When they found Louise in her room
When Louise died, she was alone in her room.
They'd always put her down below their kind
Society did not consider Louise to be on the same level as others.
Still some cried when she died this afternoon
Despite her flaws, some people felt sorry for Louise when she passed away.
Louise rode home on the mail train
Louise's remains were transported by mail train.
Somewhere to the South I heard them say
The destination of the mail train was in the south.
Too bad it ended so ugly
Louise's life ended in a tragic and unfortunate way.
Too bad she had to go this way
It was a shame that Louise died alone and unfulfilled.
And the wind is blowin' cold tonight
The night of Louise's death was a dark and unwelcoming one.
So goodnight, Louise, goodnight.
Leo Kottke bids farewell to Louise and laments her passing.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ARTHUR SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@christopherdavison652
Leo says he's not a singer, but he is a fantastic singer. A beautiful country ballad here.
@bathtangle
Paul Simon early said he wasn't a singer, that's why Art sang all of their early songs. Erik Clapton was told by Ginger Baker that he wasn't a singer, and guess what?
@skronked
I totally concur
@skronked
But 😂 Clapton can't sing... tries too hard..... not leo
@user-sl5wj4cl6p
Agreed
@dougcouture4052
I met Leo in Alaska after his concert. He signed my guitar! Many thanks Leo!!
@deadguy1964
This song and the album Greenhouse are some of the finest examples of honest music, without the sharp and offensive twang of "the celebration of self" we often find with most accomplished guitarists. With the likes of Leo Kottke, Joe Pass, and Ry Cooder we are saved if not from anything else but ourselves. Don't go see a psychiatrist, put on an album. Thanks Leo....too cool.
@dreamwell2020
Leo's a hardcore guitar technician, but his song choices reveal how soft his heart is.
@plixypl0x
My daughter was born yesterday morning. We named her Louise.
@susanr5546
My late husband introduced me to Leo Kottke, the gift that keeps on giving. I had the great pleasure of hearing him play a couple of times. He is one of the best!