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.
On the Avenue
Mary Lou Lord Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Arms are flickering ray of light on the avenue
And I'll live like a country squire
I'll do whatever desire I feel compelled to do
Cause I know that I can feel that raw so fast
I know that what I see may someday come to pass
It'll be sweet cream, I'll be living the day dream
While I'm dancing on moon beams on the avenue
But lately I'm surrounded by leaches
I ain't complaining but Jesus, what did I do
And cheap beer, I've been living on cheap beer
And an occasional Musketeer on the avenue
But I know the way it is would never last
I know that what I see may someday come to pass
It's gonna be a good time
I'll be smiling while the moon shines
I'm a collection of valentines on the avenue
I'm a collection of valentines on the avenue
I'm a collection of valentines on the avenue
In Mary Lou Lord's song "On the Avenue," she contrasts her current situation with her aspirations. She imagines a future where she's living like a "country squire," free to do whatever she desires, dancing on moonbeams on the avenue. However, she's currently surrounded by "leeches" and living on cheap beer, making her question what she did wrong. Despite her current situation, she knows that it won't last forever and that what she sees in her mind may someday come true.
It's possible that the song is about Mary Lou Lord's personal experiences, as she's stated that many of her songs are autobiographical. The theme of wanting to escape one's current circumstances and dreaming of a better, freer life is a common one that many people can relate to. The phrase "I'm a collection of valentines on the avenue" is a bit more cryptic, but it could refer to the different parts of oneself that make up a whole person. Each valentine represents a different aspect of herself that she brings with her as she navigates life on the avenue.
Overall, "On the Avenue" is a song that captures the yearning for something more, while acknowledging that sometimes the present isn't ideal. It's a relatable sentiment that speaks to the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh some night I'll be waiting on the moonlight
I am looking forward to a night when I'll be waiting under the moonlight
Arms are flickering ray of light on the avenue
I am getting my arms ready and excited to dance under the sparkling lights of the avenue
And I'll live like a country squire
I will live a happy and contented life like a wealthy gentleman in the countryside
I'll do whatever desire I feel compelled to do
I will follow my heart and satisfy my every desire without hesitation
Cause I know that I can feel that raw so fast
I know that I can experience the intense and passionate feelings quickly and easily
I know that what I see may someday come to pass
I understand that what I envision may become a reality someday
It'll be sweet cream, I'll be living the day dream
It'll be a wonderful and delightful experience, where I will be living a dream
While I'm dancing on moon beams on the avenue
As I dance on the avenue, I'll be able to feel the light of the moonbeams shining on me
But lately I'm surrounded by leaches
Recently, I have been feeling surrounded by people who drain my energy and resources
I ain't complaining but Jesus, what did I do
I don't want to complain, but sometimes I wonder why I am dealing with these people
And cheap beer, I've been living on cheap beer
I have been consuming lots of cheap beer lately
And an occasional Musketeer on the avenue
I also enjoy indulging in an occasional Musketeer candy bar while on the avenue
I know the way it is would never last
I am aware that the current situation will not last long
It's gonna be a good time
Things will get better and it will be a good time soon
I'll be smiling while the moon shines
When the moon shines, I'll be happy and smiling
I'm a collection of valentines on the avenue
I am a person filled with love and embracing life with an open heart while on the avenue
Contributed by Isaac J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@toddvanderheyden9774
First heard this song from a CD called WICKED GOOD SAMPLER volume 4 distributed by Sony Music. Still have the CD
@dessmgo
Yes! From Newbury Comics!
@ShintoDizzy
That's where I heard it from too! I've followed her career and have her as a friend on FB and her daughter is doing good music these days too!
@locrytham
Same!! Like @dessmgo said, it was on a freebie from Newbury Comics! I discovered so many amazing artists from those cds
@mandolinhooper
Oh my god, I'm in love with this woman. And I wrote a song called "The Lucky One" a couple months back, which is funny.
@tita4ewa
Who wrote this song? Is it hers?
@ShintoDizzy
Mary lou Lord Sings this, she created it.