Thompson began her singing career in the 1960s, doing advertising jingles for money and singing in folk clubs for enjoyment. She changed her name to Linda Peters, and was romantically linked to Martin Carthy before working with Richard Thompson, whom she married in 1972.
As part of Richard & Linda Thompson, she sang on a string of critically acclaimed albums until a bitter split in 1982. After battling voice problems over the years since, she resurfaced with a solo album in 1996, and has subsequently worked sporadically. Linda and Richard's children Teddy Thompson and Kamila Thompson are both musicians.
In 2007, Thompson released another set of original songs and covers, "Versatile Heart". Like her 2002 album "Fashionably Late", this too was primarily a collaboration with son Teddy Thompson, together with a supporting cast of family and friends.
Her fourth solo album, Won't Be Long Now, was released on 15 October 2013. The album features compositions and backing vocals from Teddy Thompson and his sisters as well as guitar work by Richard Thompson.
Give Me A Sad Song
Linda Thompson Lyrics
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Giving me the cruel without the kind
Just when I unlock your heart
You change the combination
But nothing's gonna make you change your mind
So I'll have a drink or two
I'll sing my songs although
Anything to keep my hands from shaking
I'm not a winner
Everything I touch turns to stone
But give me a sad song
I'm in a class of my own
I don't believe in all the lies I swallowed
Empty words like music to my ears
You pulled my heart strings
And like a fool I followed
And I'm drowning in the pool of bitter tears
So I'll swim for the shore
Even though I know I'll never make it
I'll sing once more
About my heart and what you did to break it
I'm not a winner
Everything I touch turns to stone
Give me a sad song i'm in a class of own
So I'll swim for the shore
Even though I know I'll never make it
I'll sing once more
About my heart and what you did to break it
I'm not a winner
Everything I touch turns to stone
Oh, but give me a sad song
I'm in a class of own give me a sad song
I'm in a class of my own
In Linda Thompson's song "Give Me A Sad Song," the lyrics reflect the emotional turmoil and heartbreak experienced in a tumultuous relationship. The singer expresses the frustration and confusion of being with someone who constantly changes their feelings and intentions. They feel driven to madness by the inconsistency and cruelty they receive without any kindness in return. Despite unlocking their partner's heart, the combination keeps changing, demonstrating the difficulty in truly understanding this person.
The singer uses music as a coping mechanism, seeking solace and distraction from their pain. They turn to alcohol and singing to numb their heartache, even though it is clear that their heart is still aching. The lyrics suggest that the singer has faced a string of disappointments and failures in life, explaining their self-perception as someone who is not a winner. However, they find solace and a sense of belonging in sad songs, as these resonate with their own experiences. The singer believes they are in a class of their own when it comes to embracing the melancholic nature of a sad song, as if it represents their unique perspective on love and life.
The lyrics also touch upon the singer's realization that they were deceived by empty words and false promises. They highlight the vulnerability of being played with like a puppet, as their heartstrings were pulled by the person they were involved with. Despite being aware of the lies and manipulation, the singer admits to foolishly following their heart and suffering the consequences. They feel overwhelmed by the bitterness of their tears, drowning in the pain caused by the actions of their partner.
Overall, "Give Me A Sad Song" captures the emotional struggle and resilience of someone who has experienced repeated heartbreak but finds solace in the melancholy melodies that reflect their own experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll drive me crazy with no hesitation
You easily push me to the point of insanity without any hesitation
Giving me the cruel without the kind
You give me heartache and pain without any kindness or compassion
Just when I unlock your heart
Just when I think I have access to your true emotions
You change the combination
You change your feelings and keep me guessing
But nothing's gonna make you change your mind
No matter what happens, you won't change your decision or opinion
So I'll have a drink or two
To numb my pain, I'll indulge in a few alcoholic beverages
I'll sing my songs although
I'll continue to perform my music even though
My heart is aching I'll play my guitar
My heart is filled with pain, but I'll still strum my guitar
Anything to keep my hands from shaking
I'll do anything to hide my trembling hands
I'm not a winner
I'm not successful or lucky
Everything I touch turns to stone
Everything I come into contact with becomes lifeless and devoid of emotion
But give me a sad song
However, if you give me a melancholic song
I'm in a class of my own
I excel in expressing my emotions through music, particularly sad songs
I don't believe in all the lies I swallowed
I no longer believe the falsehoods I once accepted
Empty words like music to my ears
Hollow promises and deceitful words sound appealing to me
You pulled my heart strings
You manipulated my emotions and played with my heart
And like a fool I followed
I foolishly followed your lead
And I'm drowning in the pool of bitter tears
I'm overwhelmed, sinking into a sea of sorrowful tears
So I'll swim for the shore
I'll desperately try to reach safety and escape this emotional turmoil
Even though I know I'll never make it
Despite realizing I won't succeed
I'll sing once more
I'll sing again, one last time
About my heart and what you did to break it
I'll sing about the pain you caused and how you shattered my heart
Oh, but give me a sad song
Oh, please give me a melancholic song
I'm in a class of my own give me a sad song
I have a unique ability to convey emotions through sad songs
I'm in a class of my own
I possess a talent and style that sets me apart from others
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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