Purple
Mike Garrigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he don't know what to do
He's been running around the inside
And it just ain't getting through
Just a girl
He don't know what to say
He's got cottonmouth tong-tied
And it's useless anyway
Hey man
You know it really ain't that bad
I really think you could have been
The best time that she had
Man she's gone
But she's just a girl
Yeah she's gone
And he said she was his world
She paints her face so well
She ain't much for pictures
He loves her she can't tell
She's his world
And he don't know what to sing
Cause every time she thinks of him
It only starts to bringhim down
You know it really ain't that bad
I really think you could have been
The best time that she had
Man she's gone
But she's just a girl
Yeah she's gone
His skies are black tonight
Inside a purple shaded dark redress
He'd give his life to end this mess
Man, open up your arms to the sky
And let her go
Might start to laugh again
Starting to smile again
Cause she don't know what to do
As he wraps his arms around her
Deep inside it's dark inside
And she knows she's being used
She's confused
And she's crying to her mommy
Cause she's just done all the things
Her mommy told her not to do
It's so wrong
But hell justice ain't half bad
I really think you should have been
The best time that she had
Man she's gone
But she's just a girl
Yeah, she's gone
Just a girl
And maybe someday
Someday
She'll grow up too
The song "Purple" by Mike Garrigan is a poignant reflection on a failed relationship between a boy and a girl. The boy, whose feelings for the girl are deep and intense, finds himself at a loss for words and actions as he tries to convey his emotions to her. Despite his efforts, the relationship falls apart, leaving him lost and alone. His world becomes dark and bleak, colored by the shades of purple as he contemplates the aftermath of the relationship.
The lyrics are laden with symbolism, from the girl painting her face to the boy's reference to her as his world. It's a story of unrequited love, missed opportunities, and regrets. The singer tries to console the boy, telling him that things aren't as bad as they seem and that he might have been the best thing that ever happened to the girl. But it's too late, and she's gone.
The end of the song, however, suggests a sense of hope for both the boy and the girl. The boy can let go of the relationship and start to heal, and the girl can grow up and learn from her mistakes. It's a bittersweet story of love and loss that will resonate with many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
She's just a girl
The subject is a young woman.
And he don't know what to do
The person does not know how to approach the situation.
He's been running around the inside
He has been overthinking the situation.
And it just ain't getting through
He has been unable to communicate his feelings effectively.
Just a girl
The subject is just an ordinary person.
He don't know what to say
The person is at a loss for words.
He's got cottonmouth tong-tied
He is nervous and unable to speak.
And it's useless anyway
His efforts seem to be in vain.
Hey man
The artist is addressing another man.
You know it really ain't that bad
The situation is not as terrible as it may seem.
I really think you could have been
The person could have been successful in his pursuit.
The best time that she had
The person had the potential to make a positive impact in the subject's life.
Man she's gone
The young woman is no longer present.
But she's just a girl
The subject is just an ordinary person.
And he said she was his world
The person values the subject highly.
She paints her face so well
The subject is skilled at applying makeup.
She ain't much for pictures
The subject does not enjoy being photographed.
He loves her she can't tell
The person has feelings for the subject, but has not expressed them.
She's his world
The person places the subject at the center of his world.
And he don't know what to sing
The person does not know how to express his feelings through music.
Cause every time she thinks of him
The subject has negative associations with the person.
It only starts to bring him down
The person's mood is negatively affected by thoughts of the subject.
His skies are black tonight
The person is experiencing a sense of hopelessness.
Inside a purple shaded dark redress
The person is enveloped in a somber mood.
He'd give his life to end this mess
The person is willing to risk his own life to resolve the situation.
Man, open up your arms to the sky
The singer is encouraging the person to release his negative emotions.
And let her go
The person should relinquish his attachment to the subject.
Might start to laugh again
The person may begin to experience happiness again.
Starting to smile again
The person's mood is becoming more positive.
Cause she don't know what to do
The subject is also experiencing uncertainty in the situation.
As he wraps his arms around her
The person is attempting to comfort the subject.
Deep inside it's dark inside
The subject is experiencing an inner turmoil.
And she knows she's being used
The subject realizes that the person may not have genuine intentions.
She's confused
The subject is uncertain about the true nature of the situation.
And she's crying to her mommy
The subject is seeking guidance and comfort from her mother figure.
Cause she's just done all the things
The subject may have made some regrettable decisions.
Her mommy told her not to do
The subject is disregarding advice given by her mother figure.
It's so wrong
The situation may not be morally correct.
But hell justice ain't half bad
The person may feel justified in his actions, even if they are not entirely ethical.
Man she's gone
The subject is no longer present.
But she's just a girl
The subject is just an ordinary person.
Yeah, she's gone
The subject has departed.
Just a girl
The subject is just an ordinary person.
And maybe someday
In the future, the situation may improve.
Someday
At an indefinite time in the future, the situation may change for the better.
She'll grow up too
The subject will mature and develop over time.
Contributed by Zachary V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.