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.
Pamela Brown
Leo Kottke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Educated, well-intentioned good girl in our town
I wonder where I'd be today if she had loved me too
Probably be driving kids to school
I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown
All of my good times, all my roamin' around
One of these days I might be in your town
Seen the lights of cities and I've been inside their doors
Sailed to foreign countries and walked upon their shores
I guess the guy she married was the best part of my luck
She dug him cause he drove a pickup truck
I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown
All of my good times, all my roamin' around
One of these days I might be in your town
And I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown
I don't have to tell you just how beautiful she was
Everything it takes to get a guy like me in love
Lord, I hope she's happy 'cause she sure deserves to be
Especially for what she did for me.
I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown
All of my good times, all my roamin' around
One of these days I might be in your town
And I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown
Leo Kottke's song "Pamela Brown" is a reflective tune about a missed opportunity for love. The singer describes himself as "the guy who didn't marry pretty Pamela Brown," a well-educated and good girl in their town. He ponders what his life would have been like had she loved him too, musing that he would probably be driving his kids to school. Throughout the song, the singer expresses gratitude and nostalgia for the role Pamela Brown played in his life, acknowledging that he owes all of his good times and travels to her. The song ultimately serves as a tribute to the impact that one person can have on someone's life, even if that impact comes in the form of a missed opportunity.
On one level, "Pamela Brown" is a straightforward love song about a missed opportunity for romance. However, the lyrics also suggest a deeper theme about the power of missed opportunities and the role that they can play in shaping our lives. Even though the singer did not end up with Pamela Brown, her presence in his life had a lasting impact that led him on a journey of self-discovery and adventure. The song suggests that sometimes the roads not taken can be just as important as the ones we do take.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the guy who didn't marry pretty Pamela Brown
I am the man who did not enter into a matrimonial contract with the attractive Pamela Brown.
Educated, well-intentioned good girl in our town
She was a well-informed, virtuous young lady who resided in our vicinity.
I wonder where I'd be today if she had loved me too
I ponder about what my current situation would be if she had reciprocated my feelings.
Probably be driving kids to school
I imagine I would have been a chauffeur for children being taken to school.
I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown
It seems to me that all my accomplishments and exploits in life are thanks to Pamela Brown.
All of my good times, all my roamin' around
Every enjoyable moment and journey I've had.
One of these days I might be in your town
Someday in the future, I may visit your locality.
Seen the lights of cities and I've been inside their doors
I have witnessed the illuminated structures of metropolises, and I have crossed their entrances.
Sailed to foreign countries and walked upon their shores
I have traveled by sailing vessel to areas outside of my homeland, and I have trodden upon their beaches.
I guess the guy she married was the best part of my luck
It appears that the person who she married was the greatest element of my fortune.
She dug him cause he drove a pickup truck
She fancied him because he owned an open-backed truck.
I don't have to tell you just how beautiful she was
It is unnecessary for me to inform you of her physical beauty.
Everything it takes to get a guy like me in love
She possessed qualities that would attract someone like me to fall in love.
Lord, I hope she's happy 'cause she sure deserves to be
I pray that she is content with her current state because she rightfully deserves it.
Especially for what she did for me.
Particularly for everything she has done for me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@banjoyogurt1798
Lyrics 🎸
I'm the guy who didn't marry pretty Pamela Brown
Educated, well-intentioned good girl in our town
I wonder where I'd be today if she had loved me too
Probably be driving kids to school
I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown
All of my good times, all my roamin' around
One of these days I might be in your town
And I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown
Seen the lights of cities and I've been inside their doors
Sailed to foreign countries and walked upon their shores
I guess the guy she married was the best part of my luck
She dug him cause he drove a pickup truck
I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown
All of my good times, all my roamin' around
One of these days I might be in your town
And I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown
I don't have to tell you just how beautiful she was
Everything it takes to get a guy like me in love
Lord, I hope she's happy 'cause she sure deserves to be
Especially for what she did for me.
I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown
All of my good times, all my roamin' around
One of these days I might be in your town
And I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown
@scottbeerstuffguy9012
Just saw Leo tonight in a 280 seat venue here in Colorado. 77 years old and still amazing. Got to sit in the front row and just breathe in all of this legendary man's talents. So grateful. And yes, he did play Pamela Brown...
@lenardodivinci
Thank you for sharing your experience. Leo is a special talent and it's nice to hear that he's still performing. He and James Taylor are who I hope to see perform one day before they aren't here anymore. It's nice that you had such an intimate venue
@BlueSun4886
I'm 75 and have been seeing & listening to Leo (and trying to emulate him on guitar-- emphasis on "trying") since I first saw him in Minneapolis in the mid-60s when I was visiting relatives. I still recall him describing his voice as "a goose farting on a muggy day" (IIRC). At one point he used to do all instrumental sets, but ventured into singing with that unique voice. He, Fahey, Basho, Hedges, Jansch, De Grassi & many others formed the foundation of my fingerpicking style (I was particularly drawn to Leo because he and I both were very influenced by Mississippi John Hurt (I took 6 months of lessons with him) & you can hear his influence in his, mine, and a thousand other folk guitar players' styles - Hurt is THE MAN). I still tune my guitars a full step lower than standard like Kottke (If you listen carefully, sometimes he's 2 full steps low) & play in a wide variety of tunings. BTW, where do you live in Colorado? I lived there in the '70s & was a studio sideman at Western Cine Studio on Pearl St & later at Caribou Studio way up in Nederland. If you're a contemporary, maybe we met - I played with most of the musicians in the Denver area in the '70s. If you knew the Western Cine guys & our ski-resort bands (Friends & Love, Nitro, et al.) including Phil Bailey - later of Earth, Wind & Fire, maybe we knew each other - in which case, Hi!
@floramondecar9884
I saw Leo Kottke around 1984/85 at the Moonshadow in Atlanta, I remember his playing this.
@Chiefbobaloo
Back in the 70's I was the manager of a college radio station. We had this album, and the staff would play this cut at least once every day. Have not heard it in 30 something years, what a great memory. Leo is such a great artist.
@ksjoyjespeace
Great Bass line, great everything!!!
@lenardodivinci
@Bob Mayben. I don’t know if I replied to your comment nearly a decade ago, but I’m glad your college station gave Leo some airtime. Unfortunately I don’t hear much about him anymore, except from fans that appreciate great music and an exceptional artist. Thank you for your thoughts.
@lenardodivinci
Leo’s a rare gem in the world of music. Thank you for your comment
@maryrollins1737
Just saw him perform at Jazz Alley Seattle!! Still great!
@lenardodivinci
@Mary Rollins thank you for telling us and for supporting Leo. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed his oerformance