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.
Pygmalion
Patricia Barber Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
possessor of bone-chilling beauty
I, alone,
wanting but not wanting to be
scratching and clawing at this
waiting for something to give
so give me a sign
a shiver, a sigh
a reason to live
fantasy still
captor and captive are we
strangers until
desire and goddess intrigue
a slanting and movement of hips
a flush, a warmth of the skin
as night falls I wait
for breath, for fate
the sweet salty taste
pressing lips on lips
unrequited love
is what I know of love
spellbound
I will stay
imagination may be for fools
imagination may be cruel
to be kind
at the end
of the day
ivory girl
chiseled and cooler than clay
icy reserve
is provocation. will you betray
eyes that linger and hold too fast?
if you stumble, if the mask
should crumble or fall
warm blooded after all
the longer you stall
so shall I last
The song Pygmalion by Patricia Barber is about yearning for someone who seems unattainable. The lyrics describe the object of the singer's affection, who is "cold as stone" and possesses "bone-chilling beauty." The singer is torn between wanting and not wanting this person, and feels as if they are "scratching and clawing" for something that is out of reach. The singer is desperately seeking a sign of interest from the other person - "a shiver, a sigh, a look in your eye, a reason to live."
Throughout the song, the singer makes references to the story of Pygmalion, a Greek myth about a sculptor who falls in love with the sculpture he creates. The singer imagines herself as the statue, wanting to be brought to life by the person she admires. The lyrics suggest that the relationship between the singer and the subject of her affections is based in fantasy, and that they are "strangers until desire and goddess intrigue." Despite the unrequited nature of the love, the singer confesses that she will remain spellbound by her imagination, even though it may be cruel, until the end of the day.
Overall, Pygmalion is a song about longing for someone who seems unattainable, and the pain and joy that comes from this experience. The lyrics are full of references to mythology and classical literature, which add a layer of complexity and depth to the emotional themes of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
cold as stone,
Describing the majestic yet frigid nature of the person being addressed
possessor of bone-chilling beauty
Emphasizing that the beauty of the person is awe-inspiring and intimidating at the same time
I, alone,
Stating that the singer is by themselves in regards to their feelings toward this person
wanting but not wanting to be
Expressing the artist's mixed emotions of desire and fear of rejection
scratching and clawing at this
Illustrating the internal struggle that the artist is experiencing over their romantic feelings
waiting for something to give
Describing the singer's anticipation for some kind of indication of reciprocal feelings from the person being addressed
so give me a sign
Making a direct plea to the person being addressed for some sort of confirmation
a shiver, a sigh
Detailing what kind of sign the artist is looking for - something that elicits an emotional response
a look in your eye
Identifying that the artist is specifically seeking out visual confirmation from the other person
a reason to live
Conveying the immense importance that the artist has placed on gaining validation from the other person
fantasy still
Imagining that any sort of real mutual attraction is still just a fantasy
captor and captive are we
Painting a picture of two people being trapped by the intensity of desire, neither able to escape
strangers until
Implicating that despite the intense attraction and interest, the two people involved are not yet familiar with one another
desire and goddess intrigue
Evoking the sense that the person being addressed is a goddess-like figure with seductive powers
a slanting and movement of hips
Detailing the kind of behavior from the other person that would indicate mutual attraction physically
a flush, a warmth of the skin
Describing the physical reaction the artist is looking for in the person they are interested in
as night falls I wait
Setting the scene for the next stage in the imagined romance
for breath, for fate
Expressing hope that fate will play out in the singer's favor and things will progress as they hope
the sweet salty taste
Describing the experience of a passionate kiss
pressing lips on lips
Using visceral and direct language to illustrate an intimate moment
unrequited love
Explicitly stating that the artist's feelings are not being reciprocated
is what I know of love
Conveying the sense that the artist is resigned to a life of unfulfilled romantic desires
spellbound
Captivated and entranced in the other person's allure
I will stay
Indicating that the artist is willing to continue experiencing this one-sided romance, no matter the outcome
imagination may be for fools
Admitting the possibility that the singer is simply living in a fantasy world that will never come to fruition
imagination may be cruel
Acknowledging that the emotional toll of such romantic fantasies can be devastating
to be kind
Reflecting on the idea that it's kinder to let one's imagination run wild than to face an upsetting reality
at the end
After all is said and done
of the day
When everything has run its course
ivory girl
Describing the whiteness of the skin of the other person being addressed
chiseled and cooler than clay
Suggesting that the other person being addressed is stoic, impenetrable, and more beautiful than anything artificial
icy reserve
Again, emphasizing that the person being addressed is maintaining an emotional distance
is provocation. will you betray
Implying that the other person's cool demeanor is challenging the artist to pursue them further despite the potential for heartbreak
eyes that linger and hold too fast?
Questioning what the other person's continued looking and lack of obvious rejection could mean
if you stumble, if the mask
Indicating that if any sort of vulnerability or emotional honesty is revealed by the other person, things can really start to progress
should crumble or fall
Reiterating that emotional distance can be overcome if someone's emotional barriers are finally breached
warm blooded after all
Acknowledging that despite the other person's seeming lack of emotion, they are still human at their core
the longer you stall
Asserting that progress in the imagined romance will take longer the more emotionally removed the person being addressed remains
so shall I last
Reinforcing that the singer is willing to remain steadfast in their feelings and wait for the right opportunity, even if it takes a long time
Contributed by Mia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.