Mary Lou Lord first gained notice playing acoustic guitar and singing in and around Boston subway stations (particularly on the Red Line, as noted by the name she chose for her music and lyric publishing company, On the Red Line Music.)
She has claimed that she had a romantic relationship with Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain before the group's rise to mainstream fame. This claim was disputed by some, including Cobain himself, though it has been suggested that Cobain's wife Courtney Love made him publicly lie about his past relationships to prove his devotion to her. In 1994, Lord showed up uninvited at a party for Courtney Love's band Hole, which ended with Love chasing Lord down Sunset Strip.
Lord toured three separate times with Elliott Smith during the 1990s. He also wrote and helped Lord record a song called, "I Figured You Out", in 1997. Smith would later say that, "I gave that song away 'cause I thought it sounded like The Eagles and that it sucked."
Her recordings have been a mixture of covers (including songs by Elliott Smith and Richard Thompson) and original material, with a number of songs written by, or in collaboration with, Nick Saloman of the British band The Bevis Frond.
Her recording of Daniel Johnston's "Speeding Motorcycle" (which was originally featured on her self-titled 8-song Kill Rock Stars release) was featured in commercials for Target stores, after which her label reissued the song as the lead-off track of a CD single which also included two demo recordings from the sessions for Got No Shadow.
In 2001, Lord released Live City Sounds. This was a self-released disc of Mary Lou playing live in the Boston subway. The disc was later re-released after Mary Lou signed to Rubric Records.
She announced in 2005 that she suffered from a rare vocal chord affliction known as spasmodic dysphonia. She thereafter became more involved in A&R work and started Jittery Jack Management with her husband, Kevin Patey.
Camden Town Rain
Mary Lou Lord Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
she's pretty on the outside,
i hope she's got the heart to back it up.
she's gotta a whole whole lot of style
she's got everything I lack
she stole my dawn before my day began -
let her keep it, i don't want it back.
she's your sister, you're her brother,
don't ask for any other.
she's your best friend and your lover
she don't fade.
she's got your smile in her locket
as she's walking in the Camden Town rain.
she's easy to look at
but still so hard to see.
snow white tan - she'll bitch at her fans
in a dress from Agnes B.
and i was sleepin' on some bus while she was
sleeping in your arms.
she's got Four seasons and Hyatts,
while all i got at daybreak
was a view from a greyhound.
but if east is east and west is west
i double dare you don't confess
the heaven's shoe he promised you
is often less than what you get
and what you might have expected.
so i guess i'll end it here,
cause your love for her is clear.
the wedding ring, and lovely things
to keep throughout the years.
and there's nothing left to say
and there's nothing left to do
but keep in mind, from time to time,
i'll always think the world of you.
The lyrics of Mary Lou Lord's song "Camden Town Rain" express a bittersweet longing for someone who has everything the singer lacks yet may not have the substance to back up their beauty and style. The first verse establishes this contrast between exterior and interior qualities, emphasizing the uncertainty the singer has when it comes to the heart of the subject of the song. The second verse details how the subject has taken something valuable from the singer, stealing their "dawn" before the day even began. The repetition of "she's got everything I lack" showcases the singer's feelings of inadequacy and admiration.
The third verse shifts to the subject's relationship to someone close to both the singer and the subject, with the repeated refrain of "she's your sister, you're her brother" adding to the sense of familial bonds. There's a sense of this relationship being idealized, with the fact that the subject is both "your best friend and your lover" seeming to create a sort of enviable fantasy. However, the implication is that this relationship may not be as stable and fulfilling as it seems when the singer notes that "she don't fade", suggesting that the subject's charm and confidence may mask a deeper insecurity.
The fourth verse brings in more concrete details of the subject's life, contrasting the singer's rough travel accommodations with the subject's hotel stays. The refrain of "east is east and west is west" seems to imply that the differences between the singer and subject are insurmountable, and the singer ultimately resigns themselves to the situation. The final lines suggest a sense of closure and acceptance, with the singer acknowledging the love between the subject and the person they share a relationship with while also expressing an enduring, if wistful, affection for them.
Line by Line Meaning
she's pretty on the inside,
Despite her physical appearance, she possesses inner beauty.
she's pretty on the outside,
Her physical appearance is attractive and appealing.
i hope she's got the heart to back it up.
It is desired that her inner and outer beauty are complemented by a good heart.
she's gotta a whole whole lot of style
She possesses a considerable amount of good taste and sophistication.
she's got everything I lack
The artist believes that the subject has all the qualities that they themselves do not possess.
she stole my dawn before my day began -
The subject deprived the singer of their opportunity to start their day afresh and positively.
let her keep it, i don't want it back.
The singer does not want to regain their sense of hope and optimism, preferring to let the subject have it.
she's your sister, you're her brother,
A connection exists between the subject and the listener, and the subject is related to the listener as a sibling.
don't ask for any other.
The listener is advised not to look for any other person outside of the subject's company.
she's your best friend and your lover
The subject is both the listener's closest friend and their romantic partner.
she don't fade.
The subject's permanence and loyalty are emphasized.
she's got your smile in her locket
The subject holds a cherished photo of the listener and their smile close to their heart.
as she's walking in the Camden Town rain.
The subject is pictured strolling through the rainy streets of a neighborhood called Camden Town.
she's easy to look at
The subject's attractiveness is effortless and natural.
but still so hard to see.
Despite her good looks, the subject is difficult to understand or know on a deeper level.
snow white tan - she'll bitch at her fans
The subject is hypocritical and ungrateful towards her followers or admirers despite her privileged status.
in a dress from Agnes B.
The subject is wearing an expensive designer dress.
and i was sleepin' on some bus while she was
The singer contrasts their lowly status with the subject's more comfortable and elevated one.
sleeping in your arms.
The subject is sleeping in the arms of the listener, who is also the singer's previous lover.
she's got Four seasons and Hyatts,
The subject has access to and stays at luxurious hotels such as the Four Seasons and Hyatt hotels.
while all i got at daybreak
In contrast, the artist only has access to something much more modest.
was a view from a greyhound.
The artist is only able to see a view from a bus, likely representing their limited means and status.
but if east is east and west is west
The saying 'East is East and West is West' is invoked to signify that two things or people can be fundamentally different or incompatible.
i double dare you don't confess
The artist challenges the listener not to admit they are more fond of the subject than the artist.
the heaven's shoe he promised you
The singer references the hypothetical and unfulfilled promises the listener may have received from a higher power.
is often less than what you get
Sometimes the reality does not live up to what is perceived as promised or ideal.
and what you might have expected.
Expectations often differ from reality and can lead to disappointment.
so i guess i'll end it here,
The artist decides to conclude their thoughts on the subject.
cause your love for her is clear.
The listener's affection towards the subject is unambiguous and undeniable.
the wedding ring, and lovely things
The subject will receive a wedding ring and other items of value from the listener.
to keep throughout the years.
These objects represent a long-lasting commitment and affection.
and there's nothing left to say
All that needs to be said has already been communicated.
and there's nothing left to do
No further action is needed.
but keep in mind, from time to time,
The artist advises the listener to occasionally reflect on their thoughts and feelings towards the subject.
i'll always think the world of you.
Despite their previous relationship, the singer still greatly admires and respects the listener.
Contributed by Owen O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rosylen Mangohig
I used to love this song so much back in the day!
Brooke Bowers
my love song....
Laura Plant
Lol oh my god this chuck is obsessed with kurt and courtney!
Craig Vincent
Funny, I first heard this song shortly after it was released (in 1993?) and later slightly knew MLL. I never even caught these references until seeing this comment. The Mary Lou in knew was a good person and fantastic performer.
Michael Beblowski
In the 1990s all of Nirvana's fans, the media, and tabloid journalism were obsessed with Kurt and Courtney. Presently the rock and roll establishment that still sells issues by putting Cobain's picture on the cover, generations of angry white men who have canonized the angst of another dead rock star without investigating the Feminist and pro-LGBT politics of Cobain, anyone who believes that an elaborate conspiracy was devised by Courtney Love to murder her husband and make it look like a suicide, anyone defending Love's erratic behavior over the years or those who do not waste an opportunity to vilify her, are obsessed with Kurt and Courtney.
Laura Plant
lets not forget that kurt wrote her a nasty note telling her to go away