Mr. Danny Boy
Mother Love Bone Lyrics


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what can i take from you
what can i take from you
whats worth a plug nickel from a silly fool
what can i take from you
why did i leave you there
why did i leave you there
with your long black kitty and your funky hair
why did i leave you there
see mr danny boy
did ya see mr danny boy
he's a rock top boxer just a bundle of joy
see mr danny boy
why did i leave you there
why did i leave you there
with your long black kitty and your funky hair
why did i leave you there
said baby
stop lovin by the rules
i heard the rumors danny
stop your talkin danny - i heard the rumors danny, danny
lost down in santa fe
i had love with a runaway
and to think my daddy thought i was gay
lost back in santa fe
the riff miester is my friend
the riff miester is my friend
i love that mother fucker till the very end
bolan was my man
said baby
stop lovin by the rules
i heard the rumors - danny
stop your talkin - danny i've heard the rumors danny danny
its a long, long road......for this here desperado
and its cold cold cold, visions of tomorrow




when was the last time you wrote for me a song
repeat chorus etc.(think of mario)

Overall Meaning

The song "Mr. Danny Boy" by Mother Love Bone appears to be about regrets, loss, and a longing for someone or something. The opening lines "what can I take from you" suggest a yearning for something that may have been lost, but it's unclear exactly what that might be. The repeated line "why did I leave you there" could be interpreted in many different ways, perhaps as a lament for a missed opportunity or a failed relationship. The mention of a "long black kitty and funky hair" is a curious detail that adds some intrigue to the song, but it's not clear what it refers to.


The chorus introduces the character of Mr. Danny Boy, who is described as a "rock top boxer" and a "bundle of joy." It's not clear why the singer is addressing him, but the fact that he is a fighter suggests a possible connection to the themes of struggle and resilience that run throughout the song. Later in the song, the singer mentions a friend called the "riff miester," who he loves "till the very end." This suggests a close bond with this person, perhaps one that is rooted in music.


Throughout the song, there is a sense of restlessness and searching for something that may not be attainable. Lines like "stop lovin by the rules" and "lost down in Santa Fe" suggest a desire for freedom and adventure, but also a feeling of being lost or adrift. The final lines of the song, "when was the last time you wrote for me a song," seem to convey a longing for connection and creative expression that may have been lost along the way.


Line by Line Meaning

what can i take from you
Questioning what value or worth you have to offer


what can i take from you
Questioning what value or worth you have to offer


whats worth a plug nickel from a silly fool
Wondering if anything you have to offer is valuable, even to a foolish person


what can i take from you
Questioning what value or worth you have to offer


why did i leave you there
Regretting leaving behind someone with a distinctive style and a pet cat


why did i leave you there
Regretting leaving behind someone with a distinctive style and a pet cat


with your long black kitty and your funky hair
Remembering someone's unique appearance


why did i leave you there
Regretting leaving behind someone with a distinctive style and a pet cat


see mr danny boy
Noticing a lively rock boxer


did ya see mr danny boy
Asking if someone else has noticed the dynamic rock boxer


he's a rock top boxer just a bundle of joy
Describing the energetic and joyful nature of the rock boxer


see mr danny boy
Noticing a lively rock boxer


why did i leave you there
Regretting leaving behind someone with a distinctive style and a pet cat


why did i leave you there
Regretting leaving behind someone with a distinctive style and a pet cat


with your long black kitty and your funky hair
Remembering someone's unique appearance


why did i leave you there
Regretting leaving behind someone with a distinctive style and a pet cat


said baby stop lovin by the rules
Encouraging someone to take risks and not always play it safe


i heard the rumors danny stop your talkin danny - i heard the rumors danny, danny
Telling someone to stop spreading rumors and gossip


lost down in santa fe
Feeling lost or aimless while in Santa Fe


i had love with a runaway
Sharing a past experience of a relationship with someone who was not interested in commitment


and to think my daddy thought i was gay
Reflecting on a time when someone close to you misunderstood your sexuality


lost back in santa fe
Feeling lost or aimless while in Santa Fe


the riff miester is my friend
Expressing admiration for someone who is skilled in playing guitar riffs


the riff miester is my friend
Expressing admiration for someone who is skilled in playing guitar riffs


i love that mother fucker till the very end
Feeling deep love and loyalty for the skilled guitarist


bolan was my man
Sharing admiration for musician Marc Bolan


said baby stop lovin by the rules
Encouraging someone to take risks and not always play it safe


i heard the rumors - danny stop your talkin - danny i've heard the rumors danny danny
Telling someone to stop spreading rumors and gossip


its a long, long road......for this here desperado
Feeling like you have a difficult journey ahead, perhaps as an outcast or misfit


and its cold cold cold, visions of tomorrow
Feeling uncertain about what the future holds and possibly lonely in the present


when was the last time you wrote for me a song
Asking when someone last wrote a song for you as an expression of love or devotion


repeat chorus etc.(think of mario)
Repeating earlier lyrics of the chorus, with perhaps a mention of the video game character Mario




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW WOOD, BRUCE IAN FAIRWEATHER, GREG A. GILMORE, JEFFREY ALLEN AMENT, STONE C. GOSSARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

lyonslaforet

A perfect mix between Guns N'Roses and Pearl Jam!

Louise Rose

Absolutely epic - and great production, too! the dynamics of the rhythm section and those big splashes of funky/pulsating guitars make it feel huge around Andy's teasing vocals. The band took full advantage of having two solid guitar players who were both able to play lead, and Terry Date's production brings this out. 3:47-4:17 is one of the most intensely erotic guitar breaks I have ever heard in a glam rock track, it's like a hard-on visualized as music, pure arousal! (I mean on the CD of course, where those big power chords are just roaring through the sound image....)

RealRavenCorps

I love this song, Mother Love Bone was awesome.

Kevlar1990

Stone Gossard writes some sweet riffs. RIP Andrew Wood.

hershysquirts187

this shit gives me flashbacks. why cant music be fresh and killer bands like this get a chance to shine. there is so many killer bands in my city that will never get the light of day. the scene back then was so awsome. so many great bands.

Jesse Edens

Still listening to in 2020 ♥️🤘

serenity peralta

such a good song

Kelly Schulz mcleary

Absolutely love my mother love bone

RevengeOfTheNerfed

I hate abbreviating Mother Love Bone, it makes me sound like I'm talking about Major League Baseball. Think about it. Anyways, a really good MLB song.

Shivaji Ramos

yeah, baseball is a cool sport ... puff puff pass ... MLB is mad cool.

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