Loretta
Norah Jones Lyrics


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Oh Loretta she's my barroom girl
Wears them sevens on her sleeve
Dances like a diamond shines
Tell me lies I love to believe
Her age is always twenty two
Her laughing eyes, a hazel hue
Spends my money like water falls
Loves me like I want her to
Loves me like I want her to

Oh, Loretta, won't you say to me
Darling, strap your guitar on
Have a little shot of booze
Sing a blue a and wailing song
Guitar rings a melody
Guitar sings, Loretta's fine
Long and lazy, blond and free
I can have her any time
I can have her any time

Sweetest at the break of day
Prettiest in the setting sun
She don't cry when I can't stay
'Least not 'til she's all alone
Loretta, I won't be gone long
Keep your dancing slippers on
Keep me on your mind a while
I'm coming home
I'm coming home

Oh Loretta she's my barroom girl
Wears them sevens on her sleeve
Dances like a diamond shines
Tell me lies I love to believe
Her age is always twenty two
Her laughing eyes, a hazel hue
Spends my money like water falls
Loves me like I want her to




Loves me like I want her to
Loves me like I want her to

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Norah Jones's song "Loretta" tell the story of a man who is in love with a woman who works in a bar. He describes her as "his barroom girl" who wears "sevens on her sleeve" and dances "like a diamond shines". He goes on to say that she tells him lies that he loves to believe, and that her age is always twenty two. He also mentions that she spends his money like waterfalls, but loves him the way he wants her to.


The song paints a picture of a woman who is free-spirited and carefree. She is described as being "long and lazy, blond and free", and the man singing is able to have her "any time". Despite their seemingly casual relationship, the man reassures Loretta that he won't be gone long and urges her to keep her dancing slippers on. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, highlighting the man's affection for Loretta and her willingness to love him on his terms.


Overall, the lyrics to "Loretta" showcase Norah Jones's unique ability to craft a compelling story with her music. Through her use of vivid imagery and poetic language, she transports the listener into the world of the song, making them feel like they are right there with the characters.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh Loretta she's my barroom girl
Loretta is the person that the singer is interested in and she frequents the bar


Wears them sevens on her sleeve
Loretta is always wearing a certain type of clothing


Dances like a diamond shines
Loretta is a great dancer


Tell me lies I love to believe
The singer enjoys when Loretta tells him things that may be untrue but make him happy


Her age is always twenty two
The singer likes to think of Loretta as a youthful and carefree person


Her laughing eyes, a hazel hue
Loretta's eyes are hazel and she laughs a lot


Spends my money like water falls
Loretta enjoys spending the singer's money


Loves me like I want her to
The singer is happy with the way Loretta loves him


Oh, Loretta, won't you say to me
The singer is addressing Loretta directly


Darling, strap your guitar on
Loretta is a musician and the singer wants her to play some music


Have a little shot of booze
The singer wants Loretta to have a drink with him


Sing a blue a and wailing song
The singer wants Loretta to sing a sad song


Guitar rings a melody
Loretta's guitar playing is beautiful


Guitar sings, Loretta's fine
The combination of Loretta's singing and guitar playing is great


Long and lazy, blond and free
Loretta has long blond hair and is carefree


I can have her any time
The singer knows that he can be with Loretta whenever he wants


Sweetest at the break of day
Loretta is very sweet in the morning


Prettiest in the setting sun
Loretta looks very beautiful during sunset


She don't cry when I can't stay
Loretta doesn't cry when the singer has to leave


'Least not 'til she's all alone
Loretta only cries when she is alone


Loretta, I won't be gone long
The singer is reassuring Loretta that he won't be gone for long


Keep your dancing slippers on
The singer wants Loretta to be ready to dance when he comes back


Keep me on your mind a while
The singer wants Loretta to think about him while he is gone


I'm coming home
The singer is returning home to Loretta




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

@calebjones9067

I just love how David is having the time of his life and has wayyyy more energy than this song is giving off. Fantastic performance!!

@F_later

Beautiful harmony singing with sober guitar accompaniment. Thanks, great. Enjoyed.

@southsidejohnny5624

Would have loved to have been in that dressing room the first time they sang this together. Three amazing musicians blended as one.

@adandap

Oh, my, that's a lot of talent on one stage.

@wilkbor

An excellent cover of a beautiful song. Thank you.

@statisticallysound

Is this the best version of Loretta? People are asking

@dumena

Taylor Ashton and Aoife O' Donovan did an amazing version of it.

@lindaperry5203

If you like this song you should check out the version by Elvis Costello Lyle Lovett Ray Lamontagne and John Prine

@RubyJeans943

I prefer this version but the other is good.

@walterherzog7781

It's the best

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