TATTOO
Lynott Phil Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

She comes home at 5:30
And though her clothes are never dirty
She'll change them just the same
She likes to keep her name

She's giving it all up for love
Up for love
Up for love
She's giving it all up for love

Tattoo giving it up
Giving it up
She's giving it all up for love
Up for love

Up for love
She's giving it all up for love
Tattoo giving it up
Giving it up

She's got a tattoo on her tummy
And her Mummy plays gin rummy
Hey, you might think it's funny
But she's making all the money

She's giving it all up for love
Up for love
Up for love
She's giving it all up for love

Tattoo giving it up
Giving it up
She's giving it all up for love
Up for love

Up for love
She's giving it all up for love
Tattoo giving it up
Giving it up

She keeps a silver armadillo
Well hidden beneath her pillow
Now some think it's a cupie doll
But they've got such crazy minds

She's giving it all up for love
Up for love
Up for love
She's giving it all up for love

Tattoo giving it up
Giving it up
She's giving it all up for love
Up for love

Up for love
She's giving it all up for love
Tattoo giving it up
Giving it up

Oh, she has a unique technique
For making me obsolete, complete
She needs a beat
She needs it sweet

She needs it neat
She's giving it all up for love
Up for love
Up for love

She's giving it all up for love
Tattoo giving it up
Giving it up
She's giving it all up for love

Up for love
Up for love
She's giving it all up for love
Tattoo giving it up





Giving it up

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Tattoo" by Lynott Phil seem to be about a woman who is completely smitten with love and will do anything for it, even if it means giving up everything else in her life. The song describes some unusual aspects of her life, such as changing her clothes even if they are not dirty and keeping a silver armadillo hidden under her pillow. The woman, who also has a tattoo on her tummy, seems to be attracting a lot of attention and making a lot of money because of her infatuation with love.


The song is an interesting commentary on the nature of love and how it can make people behave in unusual ways. The fact that the woman is willing to give up everything else in her life for love suggests that she is either extremely devoted to her partner or perhaps not very stable emotionally. The repeated phrase "giving it all up for love" emphasizes this idea and reinforces the message of the song.


Overall, "Tattoo" is a lighthearted and whimsical song that offers some amusing insights into the life of an eccentric woman who is willing to do anything for love.


Line by Line Meaning

She comes home at 5:30
Despite the mundane routine of everyday life, she maintains a sense of structure and discipline.


And though her clothes are never dirty
She is always mindful of the image she portrays and takes care of her appearance.


She'll change them just the same
She values variety and finds pleasure in trying new things.


She likes to keep her name
She takes pride in her identity and refuses to let anyone take that away from her.


She's giving it all up for love
She is willing to sacrifice everything for the person she loves, even if it means risking her own happiness.


Tattoo giving it up
Her tattoo is a symbol of her commitment to love, and she is willing to let go of everything else in order to preserve it.


She's got a tattoo on her tummy
Her tattoo represents a permanent reminder of her devotion to love, and she wears it proudly.


And her Mummy plays gin rummy
Her family may not fully understand her choices, but they accept them nonetheless.


Hey, you might think it's funny
Others may struggle to understand her motivations, but she is not deterred by their opinions.


But she's making all the money
Despite the sacrifices she has made for love, she remains fiercely independent and self-sufficient.


She keeps a silver armadillo
Her quirky possessions are an extension of her unique personality, and she cherishes them deeply.


Well hidden beneath her pillow
Her most personal belongings are kept close to her, a reflection of her guarded nature.


Now some think it's a cupie doll
Others may make incorrect assumptions about her possessions, but she ignores their opinions.


But they've got such crazy minds
She recognizes that people often jump to conclusions without all the facts, and she chooses not to let their judgments affect her.


Oh, she has a unique technique
She has her own way of doing things, and her creativity and originality are some of her best qualities.


For making me obsolete, complete
Her love transforms and completes him, but at the same time, he accepts that he is no longer the center of her universe.


She needs a beat
She craves excitement and adventure in life, and she is always eager to keep things interesting.


She needs it sweet
Although she enjoys spontaneity and surprises, she also has a softer side and appreciates tenderness and romance.


She needs it neat
She is methodical and precise in her approach to life, and she values order and organization.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Philip Parris Lynott

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@MoKone5

He might be the only person that can make a "tummy" "funny" "money" rhyme scheme sound brilliant.

@ttc817

Interesting trivia: Huey Lewis often played harmonica on Thin Lizzy/Phil Lynott songs as a guest musician. Lewis covered this song on his second album, Picture This.

@brianjames3734

Huey actually played harmonica on this track!!! (In the intro: 0:12)

@RaineCarosin

I played this song over and over, developing a definite scratch on the vinyl way back, just trotting the way eighteen year old's can do...  my whole life was in front of me...  If love came, I'd give up all my dreams, that was it...  yeah...  :-}}}}

@jmlicari

I only knew this as a Huey Lewis & The News song, only because I was -1 when Picture This came out haha. I grew up listening to Huey Lewis & The News, and I didn't realize Phil Lynott did this. I dig the original tune, but I have to give HLN credit, because their cover sounds nothing like this version.

@deborahpatterson741

HAPPY MEMORIES XX

@joedicicco6124

This should have been a MASSIVE hit.

@ClassicTVMan1981X

So too should "Cathleen (A Beautiful Irish Girl)" from his second solo release (1982's The Philip Lynott Album).

@denton908

I don't think I will ever get over how fucking awesome Phil is.

@Adonais39

phil is the best

More Comments

More Versions