Seventeen
Nick And The Babes Lyrics
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Sings a song
Sounds like she's singing
Ooh ooh ooh
Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song
Sounds like she's singing
Ooh baby, ooh, said ooh
And the days go by
Like a strand in the wind
In the web that is my own
I begin again
Said to my friend, baby
Nothin' else mattered
He was no more than a baby then
Well he seemed broken hearted
Something within him
But the moment that I first laid
Eyes on him all alone
On the edge of seventeen
Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song
Sounds like she's singing
Ooh baby, ooh, said ooh
Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song
Sounds like she's singing
Said ooh baby, ooh, said ooh
Well, I went today maybe I will go again
Tomorrow
Yeah, yeah
Well the music there, well it was hauntingly
Familiar
When I see you doing
What I tried to do for me
With the words from a poet
And a voice from a choir
And a melody nothing else mattered
Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song
Sounds like she's singing
Ooh baby, ooh, said ooh
Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song
Sounds like she's singing
Said ooh baby, ooh, said ooh
The clouds never expect it
When it rains
But the sea changes colors
But the sea
Does not change
So with the slow, graceful flow
Of age
I went forth with an age old
Desire to please
On the edge of seventeen
Ooh
Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song
Sounds like she's singing
Ooh baby, ooh, said ooh
Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song
Sounds like she's singing
Ooh baby, ooh, said ooh
Well then suddenly
There was no one left standing
In the hall yeah, yeah
In a flood of tears
That no one really ever heard fall at all
Well, I went searchin' for an answer
Up the stairs and down the hall
Not to find an answer
Just to hear the call
Of a nightbird singing
Come away, come away
Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song
Sounds like she's singing
Ooh baby, ooh, said ooh
Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song
Sounds like she's singing
Ooh baby, ooh, said ooh
Well I hear you in the morning
And I hear you
At nightfall
Sometimes to be near you
Is to be unable to feel you
My love
I'm a few years older than you, my love
Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song
Sounds like she's singing
Ooh baby, ooh, said ooh
Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song
Sounds like she's singing
Ooh baby, ooh, said ooh
The lyrics to Nick And The Babes's song "Seventeen" are filled with poetic imagery and vivid descriptions of the passage of time and the emotions that come with growing up. The "white winged dove" serves as a metaphor for innocence, purity, and freedom, and the singer compares the way the bird sings to the way she feels about her own life and experiences. She reflects on the passing of time, the memories she has, and the people she has loved and lost, all while acknowledging the powerful emotions that come with growing up and leaving childhood behind. The song is both nostalgic and melancholy, capturing the bittersweet feeling of looking back on one's youth while facing the uncertain future.
One of the interesting facts about "Seventeen" is that it was written and performed by Stevie Nicks, a member of the band Fleetwood Mac. The song was released on her debut solo album, "Bella Donna," in 1981. The song's iconic chorus, which features the repetition of the phrase "ooh baby, ooh, said ooh," has become one of the most popular and recognizable hooks in Nicks's extensive discography. The song's poetic lyrics and haunting melody have also made it a favorite among fans of Nicks and Fleetwood Mac alike.
Another interesting fact about "Seventeen" is that it was inspired by Nicks's relationship with Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh. The two musicians dated in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and their tumultuous relationship has been referenced in several of Nicks's songs, including "Leather and Lace" and "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You?" In "Seventeen," Nicks references a young man who was "no more than a baby" when she met him, which many fans believe is a clear reference to Walsh.
Line by Line Meaning
Just like the white winged dove
Life is full of mysterious things that sing a pleasing tune
Sings a song
Expressing oneself through the medium of music
Sounds like she's singing
It has a melodic and pleasing tone to it
Ooh ooh ooh
A sound of joy, excitement or passion
Ooh baby, ooh, said ooh
Expressing the pleasure of feeling the harmony of life and people around us
And the days go by
Time passes quickly, like the wind
Like a strand in the wind
Life is unpredictable and can be easily affected by outside forces
In the web that is my own
The path we choose in life and the experiences we have shape us
I begin again
Every day is a chance to start anew
Said to my friend, baby
Conveying a message to a loved one or confidant
Nothin' else mattered
Focusing on what truly matters in life - love, happiness, and fulfillment
He was no more than a baby then
Recounting a past encounter with someone who was young and vulnerable
Well he seemed broken hearted
Observing the emotional pain of someone who was hurting
Something within him
Recognizing that there was a deeper issue at play
But the moment that I first laid
Recalling a significant moment in time
Eyes on him all alone
Seeing someone in a moment of vulnerability
On the edge of seventeen
The beginning of adulthood, a time for exploration and learning
Well, I went today maybe I will go again
Reflecting on a past experience, and considering the possibility of repeating it
Tomorrow
Looking to the future with a sense of anticipation and excitement
Yeah, yeah
An enthusiastic affirmation of a plan or idea
Well the music there, well it was hauntingly
The music had a strong emotional impact on the listener
Familiar
Evoking feelings of nostalgia and reminiscence
When I see you doing
Observing someone else doing something important
What I tried to do for me
Trying to find a sense of purpose or meaning in one's own life
With the words from a poet
Using the power of language to express oneself
And a voice from a choir
Finding comfort and inspiration in the music and community of others
And a melody nothing else mattered
Savoring the beauty of music and the emotions it can evoke
The clouds never expect it
The unexpected can happen at any time or place
When it rains
The metaphorical storms in life can change everything
But the sea changes colors
Life is full of endless possibilities, and nothing is static
But the sea
Metaphorically representing life as a vast and beautiful expanse
Does not change
Despite life's many changes, some things remain constant
So with the slow, graceful flow
Life moves forward in its own time and rhythm
Of age
As we grow older and gain perspective
I went forth with an age old
Tapping into the wisdom of people who have come before us
Desire to please
Seeking approval and validation from others
Well then suddenly
A moment of unexpected change or realization
There was no one left standing
Feeling alone or abandoned
In the hall yeah, yeah
Metaphorically representing a place of transition or change
In a flood of tears
Expressing an overwhelming sense of emotion
That no one really ever heard fall at all
Feeling isolated in one's emotions or struggles
Well, I went searchin' for an answer
Seeking clarity or understanding in a difficult situation
Up the stairs and down the hall
Searching for answers in all corners of one's life
Not to find an answer
Coming up empty-handed in the search for understanding
Just to hear the call
Listening for guidance or inspiration
Of a nightbird singing
Finding solace and inspiration in the beauty of nature
Come away, come away
Looking for an escape or release from a difficult situation
Well I hear you in the morning
Thinking of someone first thing in the morning
And I hear you
Feeling the presence of someone, even when they're not around
At nightfall
Thinking of someone at the end of the day
Sometimes to be near you
Feeling a magnetic pull towards someone
Is to be unable to feel you
Despite longing for someone, sometimes we can't fully connect or understand them
My love
Addressing a loved one with affection
I'm a few years older than you, my love
Acknowledging a difference in age or experience between two people
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stevie Nicks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind