Angel With a Dirty Face
Lou Gramm Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I was standing there, watching her
While she would shoot arrows at my heart
I know there's no stopping her now
She's out to get me and boy she knows how
Like a landslide, all power going down
She took the ground out from under my feet
I knew this girl would get me right here
Where happiness and heartache meet
[Chorus:]
I'm givin' you a heartbreak warning, oh, oh, oh, oh
She's an angel with a dirty face
Heartbreak warning, oh, oh, oh, oh
Yeah, and I don't want to run this race
Heartbreak warning, oh, oh, oh, oh
She's an angel with a dirty face
I let it go, at full speed
When in love it seems
You're invincible at heart
Everyday I got deeper in it
I was a victim right from the start
I didn't know, the minute she was sure
Her poison arrow had hit the bull's eye
She turned and said my dreams are out of line
And stayed around to watch them die
[chorus]
What you've been getting isn't always what you see
Love has many faces now, but in your dreams of dreams
You do believe in holding on, you got to let it go
I had enough, I stepped back
There's only so much that a man like me can take
This heart of mine is a fragile thing
Once it's in pieces there's nothing to break
Now she's crying, she's crying over me
She still can't get it through her beautiful head
That pretty smile may fool somebody else
I'll tell you baby, all I see is red
[chorus]
She'll be gone in the morning, oh, oh, oh, oh
She's an angel with a dirty face
Heartbreak warning, oh, oh, oh, oh
She'll be leaving you without a trace




Heartbreak warning, oh, oh, oh, oh
She's an angel with a dirty face

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lou Gramm's "Angel With a Dirty Face" paint the picture of a man who has fallen deeply in love with a woman who may not have his best interests at heart. He watches as she shoots arrows at his heart, meaning she is manipulative and intentionally causing him emotional pain. The singer is aware of her tactics and knows he cannot stop her. She is powerful and has already taken away his sense of security by taking the ground out from under his feet, leaving him vulnerable to heartbreak.


Despite this, the singer cannot resist her and continues to fall deeper in love with her every day. He is a victim from the start and didn't realize it until she hit him with her "poison arrow." She then proceeds to tell him that his dreams are out of line and watches them die. The use of "angel with a dirty face" is an analogy for someone who may appear pure and innocent on the surface but has a more sinister side lurking underneath.


The chorus acts as a heartbreak warning to anyone who may encounter someone like the woman in the song. It is clear that the singer is warning others to beware and not fall into the trap that he did. The lyrics are a poignant reminder that love can have many faces, and you shouldn't always believe what you see.


Line by Line Meaning

I was standing there, watching her
I observed her actions and behavior.


While she would shoot arrows at my heart
She was hurting me emotionally and romantically.


I know there's no stopping her now
She has a determined mindset and cannot be easily persuaded.


She's out to get me and boy she knows how
She is skilled in manipulating and causing pain.


Like a landslide, all power going down
Her actions had a strong impact on me, causing me to feel out of control.


She took the ground out from under my feet
She caused me to feel unstable and unsure of myself.


I knew this girl would get me right here
I had a feeling that she would hurt me emotionally and romantically.


Where happiness and heartache meet
In the place where happiness and heartache intersect.


I'm givin' you a heartbreak warning, oh, oh, oh, oh
I am alerting you to be cautious of heartbreak.


She's an angel with a dirty face
She appears innocent and pure, but has a deceptive and malicious side to her character.


I let it go, at full speed
I pursued the relationship wholeheartedly.


When in love it seems
When experiencing romantic love.


You're invincible at heart
You feel powerful and unstoppable emotionally.


Everyday I got deeper in it
Every day I became more invested in the relationship.


I was a victim right from the start
I was taken advantage of from the beginning.


I didn't know, the minute she was sure
I was unaware that once she realized her influence over me, she would use it to her advantage.


Her poison arrow had hit the bull's eye
She made a direct hit on my emotions and caused me significant pain.


She turned and said my dreams are out of line
She criticized and dismissed my aspirations and ambitions.


And stayed around to watch them die
She stuck around to witness my dreams crumble and fail.


What you've been getting isn't always what you see
Things are not always as they appear to be.


Love has many faces now, but in your dreams of dreams
Love has multiple facets, but your deepest desires and wishes will reveal your true intentions.


You do believe in holding on, you got to let it go
While it is important to hold onto love, it is also critical to know when to let go.


I had enough, I stepped back
I had reached my limit and decided to distance myself from the situation.


There's only so much that a man like me can take
I, as a human being, have emotional limits.


This heart of mine is a fragile thing
My emotions can be easily broken and damaged.


Once it's in pieces there's nothing to break
Once my emotions are broken, there is nothing left to hurt.


Now she's crying, she's crying over me
She is expressing regret and sadness over our situation.


She still can't get it through her beautiful head
She is still unable to understand the severity of her actions and their impact on me.


That pretty smile may fool somebody else
She may appear innocent and sincere to others, but I am aware of her true nature.


I'll tell you baby, all I see is red
Her actions have caused me extreme anger and frustration.


She'll be gone in the morning, oh, oh, oh, oh
She will leave without any trace or explanation.


She'll be leaving you without a trace
She will disappear and there will be no way to track her down.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LOU GRAMM, INA WOLF, PETER F WOLF

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

KB-P2730

I was standing there, watching her
While she would shoot arrows at my heart
And I know there's no stopping now
She's out to get me and boy she knows how

Like a landslide, all power going down
She took the ground out from under my feet
I knew this girl would get me right here
Where happiness and heartache meet

I'm givin' you a heartbreak warning, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
She's an angel with a dirty face
Heartbreak warning, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Yeah, now I don't want to run this race
Heartbreak warning, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
She's an angel with a dirty face
Angel with a dirty face

I let it go, at full speed
When in love it seems
You're invincible at heart
Everyday I got deeper in it
I was a victim right from the start
I didn't know, the minute she was sure
Her poison arrow had hit the bull's eye
She turned and said my dreams are out of line
And stayed around to watch them die
Watch them die
I'm givin' you a heartbreak warning, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
She's an angel with a dirty face
Heartbreak warning, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Yeah, now I don't want to run this race
Heartbreak warning, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
She's an angel with a dirty face
Angel with a dirty face

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

What you've been getting isn't always what you see
Love has many faces now, but in your dreams of dreams
You do believe in holding on, you got to let it go

I had enough, I stepped back
There's only so much that a man like me can take
This heart of mine is a fragile thing
Once it's in pieces there's nothing to break

Now she's cryin', she's cryin' over me
She still can't get it thru her beautiful head
That pretty smile may fool somebody else
I'll tell you baby, all I see is red



All comments from YouTube:

Carol Kane

Kick Ass Song!!!  Lou Is by far One of the Best and Biggest Voices of Rock-n-Roll, Period.

MultiClapton

Without doubt Carol.

Jamie Lamm

Long Hard Look - Absolutely fantastic album - top to bottom. Can't
believe I missed this back then. Such a treasure to find so many years
later.

Bob leroy

I remember buying this lp the day it was released and loved this song instantly Still love it

Alice of Legend

Bob leroy Me too.

Pedro Fernandes

Lou Gramm, one perfect voice. This song still great.

Marcia De Santana Jordão

@Markus Kerner I totally agree.

Phin Philips

Heartbreak warning backing up is simply the work of a genius...to harmonise in such a creative manner...i miss this kinda work..

Marcia De Santana Jordão

So do I.

adelaide53

This is vintage Lou Gramm. It's his signature voice at its best -- strong, clear, precise. The way he used to be.

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