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.
He'd Be a Diamond
Mary Lou Lord Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when the walls come down it's still hard to cross the line
And when his love is gone he says he still needs her
And he wants to let you know that if he had his chance again
He' d be a diamond
When you dab your eyes the tears keep on falling
And when you blow your nose it still gets blocked up and runs
And he swears by all the saints that if he had his chance again
He' d be a diamond
Is he lying to get what he wants or does he mean it this time
Is he running low on affection and beer and dope?
And an ironing board and an unpaid analyst who shags
When you turn your back you still see what's behind you
And when you start afresh you still think of days gone by
And when a heart is broken it still goes on pumping
And he told me just last night that if he had his chance again
He' d be a diamond, a diamond
Mary Lou Lord's song "He'd Be a Diamond" is a poignant and introspective reflection on love, lost opportunities, and second chances. The lyrics explore the theme of regret and the desire to make amends for past mistakes. The opening lines "When the tape runs out the music keeps playing" and "When the walls come down it's still hard to cross the line" suggest a sense of inertia and the difficulty of moving on from a past relationship. The singer acknowledges that he still needs his former partner even though their love has ended. He expresses a desire to be a diamond, a symbol of strength and resilience, to turn back time and make things right.
The second verse begins with an intimate image of a person wiping away tears, but the tears keep coming. The singer tells his love interest that she looks beautiful despite feeling like shit, another indication of his emotional depth and sensitivity. He questions his own sincerity, asking if he's lying to get what he wants or if he truly means what he says. He references alcohol and drugs, suggesting that he might be using them to cope with his pain. The final line of the verse refers to an ironing board and an unpaid analyst who shags, adding a humorous and slightly absurd element to the song.
The final verse speaks to the persistence of memories and emotions. Despite moving on, the singer can't help but think of what's behind him, and his broken heart still beats. The song ends on the same refrain as before – that if he had his chance again, he would be a diamond. The repetition of this line emphasizes the singer's regret and his desire to make things right.
Line by Line Meaning
When the tape runs out the music keeps playing
Even when something ends, the repercussions and effects of that thing can continue to persist.
And when the walls come down it's still hard to cross the line
Even when obstacles are removed, there can still be barriers that prevent progress or connection.
And when his love is gone he says he still needs her
Sometimes people hold onto the idea of something or someone, even after it has been lost.
And he wants to let you know that if he had his chance again
He' d be a diamond
He wishes he could have another opportunity to be better or improve himself, like a diamond being refined.
When you dab your eyes the tears keep on falling
Emotions can be difficult to control, and reactions might not always match intentions.
And when you blow your nose it still gets blocked up and runs
Even when we try to rid ourselves of something, it can still have a lingering impact on us.
And though you feel like shit he says you look beautiful
Even in hard times, there can be moments of positivity or love that shine through.
And he swears by all the saints that if he had his chance again
He' d be a diamond
He is adamant that if given the opportunity, he would change for the better and strive to reach his full potential.
Is he lying to get what he wants or does he mean it this time
The artist is unsure whether the person in question is being genuine or manipulative with their words or actions.
Is he running low on affection and beer and dope?
The artist wonders if the person is seeking attention or validation through substances or other means.
And an ironing board and an unpaid analyst who shags
The singer lists seemingly random objects and a sexual encounter, which may represent a sense of chaos or disorder in this person's life.
When you turn your back you still see what's behind you
Memories or past experiences can continue to have an impact, even when we try to move on.
And when you start afresh you still think of days gone by
Even when we try to leave the past behind, it can still be a part of who we are and how we perceive the world.
And when a heart is broken it still goes on pumping
Despite hardship or loss, life continues and we must find a way to keep moving forward.
And he told me just last night that if he had his chance again
He' d be a diamond, a diamond
He reiterated his desire for self-improvement and a willingness to change for the better.
Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.