Her music is centered on her singing, in a fairly low register and a traditional bluesy-jazz style, and her piano playing, which is technically accomplished. Her repertoire includes many of her own compositions, but also a selection of standards drawn mostly from the classic-rock genre; examples include "Ode to Billie Joe," "A Taste of Honey," and "Black Magic Woman." She is known for her apparent above-average intelligence and vocabulary, which results in complex and witty lyrics. Her last album to date, Mythologies is a set of songs based on Ovid's Metamorphoses. In September 2008, Patricia is releasing "The Cole Porter Mix," a collection of Patricia's renditions of the Porter songbook along with three Barber originals inspired by Cole Porter.
Patricia Barber is a lesbian. Interviews with her suggests that she does not try to hide this fact, but that she 'tires' of the public interest in her sexuality – disliking the fact that it contributes to her fame.
Her albums Cafe Blue, Modern Cool, Companion, Nightclub, Verse have been reissued by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab on SACD and limited edition 45 rpm 1/2 speed mastered, 180 gram audiophile vinyl.
Get out of town
Patricia Barber Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get out of town be good to me please
Why wish me harm? Why not retire to a farm
And be contented to charm the birds off the trees?
Just disappear, I care for you much too much
And when you're near close to me dear we touch too much
The thrill when we meet is so bittersweet
Just disappear, I care for you much too much
And when you're near close to me dear we touch too much
The thrill when we meet is so bittersweet
That darling it's getting me down, so on your mark get set get out of town
In "Get Out of Town," Barber addresses a lover who is a source of heartache and stress. The song's protagonist begs her lover to leave her and their relationship behind before it's too late for either of them to move on. Barber coos to her lover to "be good" to her in this last act of kindness before he goes.
Barber suggests that the only way they can move forward is for her lover to disappear completely. She can't stand the feeling of being close to him because their love is too intense and toxic. The excitement of their reunion is quickly dulled by the weight of their baggage, and she can't bear it any longer. The pain of remembering what they once had has become too much to bear.
In some ways, "Get Out of Town" is reminiscent of the classic "break-up" songs that litter pop music: the singer can't handle the intensity of the relationship, and they realize that their lover is nothing but trouble. But Barber infuses the song with a sense of urgency and vulnerability that elevates it beyond typical genre fare. She layers her vocal performance with nuances of fear, pain, and emotional exhaustion. In the end, we're left with a sense of a love that was simply too strong to manage.
Line by Line Meaning
Get out of town before it's too late my love
I am worried that if you stay any longer, there will be consequences that we cannot bear. Please leave town soon to avoid any trouble.
Get out of town be good to me please
I am pleading with you to listen to my request and leave town. Please do this for me, as it will safeguard our future together.
Why wish me harm? Why not retire to a farm
Instead of sticking around in town and causing trouble, why not leave for a peaceful life on a farm? I don't understand why you would want to bring harm to me or our relationship.
And be contented to charm the birds off the trees?
Living on a farm could bring you happiness and fulfillment. You could pass your time by enjoying the simple pleasures, like charming the birds with your songs.
Just disappear, I care for you much too much
I cannot bear to see you suffer any consequences or harm. My care and love for you are too strong, so it's better that you just leave town without looking back.
And when you're near close to me dear we touch too much
Our proximity and intimacy is too great and could cause a dangerous situation. It's best if you remove yourself from this potentially risky scenario.
The thrill when we meet is so bittersweet
As much as I enjoy being close to you, it's also bittersweet because I know it's not safe or stable for us to continue this way. We need to separate for our own good.
That darling it's getting me down, so on your mark get set get out of town
Our current situation is weighing heavily on me, and I know that we need to part ways in order to alleviate this burden. Therefore, I implore you to leave town immediately.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind