Signed to Polydor in 1984, the band was known for combining Clark's twangy guitar style with Cole's low-key singing style. Particularly notable were Cole's literary lyrics (he was studying Philosophy at the University of Glasgow when the band started) and name-dropping the likes of Norman Mailer, Arthur Lee, Grace Kelly, Truman Capote, Eva Marie Saint, Simone de Beauvoir, and Nancy Sinatra.
For a period in the mid 1980s the band was one of the most successful indie acts in Britain, vying with The Smiths. The band broke up in 1989 amid reports of personality clashes between members, and Cole moved to New York City to pursue a successful solo career. The band reformed in 2004 to perform a 20th anniversary tour of the UK and Ireland.
Band members
Lloyd Cole (born 31 January 1961) - vocals, guitar, lyricist
Blair Cowan (born 1960?) - keyboards
Lawrence Donegan (born 13 July 1961) - bass guitar
Neil Clark (born 3 July 1955) - guitar
Stephen Irvine (born 16 December 1959) - drums
Jennifer She Said
Lloyd Cole and The Commotions Lyrics
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Jennifer we can't go wrong lets do it right now
Maybe you're a little hasty
But they say love is blind
Now her name's on you
Her name on you
Her name on you
Did you ever have a bad dream wake up and it not stop?
Did you ever feel for a girl for a time and then stop?
Well it's written there in blue
With a heart and arrow through
Her name on you
Her name on you
Her name on you
Jennifer in blue
Oh forever you said that's forever you said yes forever
And forever she said that's forever she said yes forever
Still it's written there in blue
With a heart and arrow through
Her name on you
Her name on you
Her name on you
Jennifer in blue
Oh forever you said that's forever you said that's forever
And forever she said that's forever she said yes forever
Bup ba da da da da, Bup ba da da da da
Bup ba da da da da
Bup ba da da da da, Bup ba da da da da
Bup ba da da da da
But you change with the weather
You change with the weather
With the weather
This is the rain
The song "Jennifer She Said" by Lloyd Cole and The Commotions tells the story of a man named Jennifer who is in a relationship that he believes to be indestructible. He suggests that they put their love in writing and do it right now. However, he acknowledges that it may be a hasty decision, but that doesn't matter because love is blind. The chorus repeats the phrase "Her name on you, Jennifer in blue" which implies that he has tattooed her name on his body, perhaps on his heart.
The second verse portrays the man's changing emotions towards Jennifer. He questions if anyone has ever woken up from a bad dream and it not stopped. Likewise, he asks if anyone has ever felt strongly for someone and then stopped feeling that way for some reason. Despite this, the man mentions that Jennifer's name is written in blue with a heart and an arrow through it, signifying that his love for her is forever. However, the outro shifts the tone towards doubt, with the lyrics "But you change with the weather" repeated multiple times. The character wonders if their love will survive the rain that life inevitably brings.
Overall, the song captures the intensity and uncertainty of love. It's a poignant reminder that relationships can be volatile, even when they seem impenetrable.
Line by Line Meaning
Jennifer we can't go wrong lets put it in writing
Let's make a promise to each other in writing that we cannot be wrong
Jennifer we can't go wrong lets do it right now
Let's make this promise to each other right now
Maybe you're a little hasty
You might be moving too fast
But they say love is blind
But people say that love can make you ignore things you might not otherwise overlook
Now her name's on you
Now her name is written on you
Jennifer in blue
The writing is in blue
Did you ever have a bad dream wake up and it not stop?
Have you ever had a nightmare that felt like it wouldn't end even after waking up?
Did you ever feel for a girl for a time and then stop?
Have you ever had feelings for someone that eventually faded away?
Well it's written there in blue
But this promise is still written on you, in blue
With a heart and arrow through
The writing has a heart and an arrow going through it
Oh forever you said that's forever you said yes forever
You promised forever, which means forever
And forever she said that's forever she said yes forever
And she promised forever, which also means forever
Still it's written there in blue
Despite the promises, the writing is still there in blue
But you change with the weather
But you are fickle and can change like the weather
This is the rain
This fickleness is the rain
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BLAIR GRAY COWAN, DEREK WALLACE MC KILLOP, LAWRENCE DONEGAN, LLOYD COLE, NEIL ROBERT CLARK, STEVEN IRVINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind