Reid’s first single from her album ‘’Preservation’’, "Richard", saw her nominated for the APRA Silver Scroll award in 2017, regarded as New Zealand’s most important songwriting award. Reid herself was nominated for Best Solo Artist, Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Best Alternative Artist.
ruby
Nadia Reid Lyrics
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She was tired
I was timid
It was late
She was to marry her southland sweetheart
but as sweet I am
when it comes to young love
He sold houses to the masses
in the state of Burley Down
And I saw him leaving slowly with a young man at his hip
Where did my love go?
He was the sailor of my ship
And Jimmy was the best she ever had
When you think you cannot breath
and you know you'd rather die instead
That's when you know you have to go,
and he knew he had to leave
So in the state of where you are
roll up the windows
saying drive an old blue car
Blue because he hold you like
he held me so
After, does he rub your back
and sing ya slow?
Take ya to highest high and
lowest low?
Oh, Ruby, I don't think so
James was a well-known man around town
He sold houses to the masses
in the state of Burley Down
And I saw him leaving slowly with a young man at his hip
In the opening lines of Nadia Reid’s song “Ruby,” the singer introduces us to a girl named Ruby who she met on a bus journey. The singer describes Ruby as being tired while the singer was timid. It’s late and Ruby is on her way to marry her southland sweetheart. However, the singer indicates that despite being supportive of young love, she’s got reservations about Ruby’s impending commitment. The song takes a turn as the story shifts to a man named James, who is a well-known person in the town, where he sells homes to the masses in the state of Burley Down. The singer alludes to James’ sexuality, as the song mentions that she saw him leaving slowly with a young man at his hip. The singer or speaker realizes that James was the love of Ruby’s life, despite her inability to understand the relationship they shared. In the final verse, the singer asks Ruby if James holds her the way that he holds and sings to her, which leads the singer to conclude that James was indeed the best that Ruby ever had.
Overall, the song “Ruby” is an emotional ballad that touches on themes of love, loss, and sexual identity. The song conveys the idea that one can’t always control who they fall in love with or how that love plays out in the end. The song illustrates how love can be complicated, and one can have strong feelings for someone who may not necessarily be right for them. The lyrics point out that Ruby loved James despite his sexuality and that their love was genuine.
Line by Line Meaning
I met Ruby on a bus from state to state
I encountered a woman named Ruby while traveling by bus to different states.
She was tired
Ruby appeared fatigued and exhausted.
I was timid
I was shy and hesitant in my interactions with her.
It was late
It was nighttime or getting late in the day during our meeting.
She was to marry her southland sweetheart
Ruby had plans to wed her beloved from the southland.
but as sweet I am
Despite being a kind person,
when it comes to young love
I am inexperienced when it comes to romantic relationships.
James was a well-known man around town
A man by the name of James was famous in the area.
He sold houses to the masses
He was a real estate agent who sold homes to many people.
in the state of Burley Down
He conducted business in the state of Burley Down.
And I saw him leaving slowly with a young man at his hip
I observed James walking away with a young male companion by his side.
Where did my love go?
I am wondering where my lover has disappeared to.
He was the sailor of my ship
He was the one in control of our relationship.
And Jimmy was the best she ever had
Jimmy was the most satisfying partner she ever had.
When you think you cannot breath
When you feel like you cannot breathe or are suffocating,
and you know you'd rather die instead
And you feel like death would be a preferable alternative,
That's when you know you have to go,
That's when you realize you must leave the situation.
and he knew he had to leave
Her lover knew he had to leave.
So in the state of where you are
Therefore, in the state of being where you are,
roll up the windows
Roll up the car windows.
saying drive an old blue car
Implying that the person should drive an old blue car.
Blue because he hold you like
A blue car because he holds you like he held her.
he held me so
He treated her with the same affection he treats you with.
After, does he rub your back
After intimacy, does he soothe your back?
and sing ya slow?
Does he serenade you in a slow and sweet manner?
Take ya to highest high and
Does he elevate you to great heights and
lowest low?
also bring you down to the lowest of lows?
Oh, Ruby, I don't think so
Suggesting that Ruby's claimed partner may not treat her as well as she believes.
Contributed by London N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.