While still in university she was submitting original material for other artists to record; however, none of her songs were recorded and she worked as a busker and waitress in Greenwich Village after graduating. Together with Soozie Tyrell and Lisa Lowell, she formed a street group known as Trickster. She struggled to make her way in the songwriting and recording industry in New York and New Jersey for many years before playing at Kenny’s Castaway in Greenwich Village, as well as Asbury Park's The Stone Pony, which got her notice and eventually recording work with Southside Johnny and David Johansen. Rumbledoll (1993) was her first record .
In 1984, she joined the E Street Band three or four days before the opening show of the Born in the U.S.A. Tour, either because Springsteen wanted to expand the emotional range of the band (Marsh, Glory Days) or because Nils Lofgren contracted mononucleosis, which made it impossible for him to sing his backing vocals (Scialfa, [1]). In 1986, she appeared on the Rolling Stones' Dirty Work album, leaving her unique vocal mark on "One Hit (To the Body)" as well as other tracks. She worked with Keith Richards on his first solo disc Talk is Cheap. Steve Jordan, who co-produced the Richards' record, was a friend of Scialfa's from her Greenwich Village days.
Scialfa has made two solo albums, 1993's Rumble Doll and 2004's 23rd Street Lullaby, both of which received four-star reviews from Rolling Stone, but failed to produce successful radio singles. Each record is a mix of confessional songwriting, impressive vocal range, and traditional country, folk and rock music. Springsteen and fellow E Street bandmates like Lofgren and Roy Bittan contributed backing work. Following the release of her second album, Scialfa played a series of club dates along the East Coast and she was also the opening act of the post-final night of the Vote for Change tour. Criticism of her performances was sometimes along the lines that, while she had some good songs and interesting arrangements, her voice was more suited to backing than lead vocals and she lacked stage presence. However, she has many loyal and enthusiastic fans. Some believe she ranks among today's top female song-writers and that her work is overlooked primarily due to her connection to Springsteen.
Come Tomorrow
Patti Scialfa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanted nothing but to make you mine
Now there's this girl with milk white hands
And on her finger your wedding band shines
Still you tempt me with your kisses
Still you tempt me with your charm
Ain't gonna struggle no more with this
Tonight I'm gonna lie down in your arms
It will disappear
I'll do the right thing come tomorrow
But tonight I'm gonna stay right here
I'm gonna stay right here
Now me I'm just a lonely girl
And I know baby you're a lonely man
And I may never mean more to you
Than a sin that lied waiting in your hands
Still I tempt you with my kisses
Still I tempt you with my charm
Ain't gonna ask but one thing of you
Forgive me darling and I'll forgive you - well
All my fear and all my sorrow
It will disappear
I'll do the right thing come tomorrow
But tonight I'm gonna stay right here
I'm gonna stay right here
Come tomorrow don't you worry baby
Ain't gonna turn the blame on you
Come tomorrow ain't nobody gonna
Make me walk in shame - for loving you
I ain't got no diamonds on my fingers
Ain't got no gold baby in my hands
I know this world don't owe me nothing
So tonight I'm going to take baby what I can
All my fear and all my sorrow
It will disappear
I'll do the right thing come tomorrow
But tonight I'm gonna stay right here
I'm gonna stay right here
Patti Scialfa’s song “Come Tomorrow” tells the story of two people in love with each other but are unable to be together because one of them is already married. The singer confesses her attraction and longing for this man from the first time she saw him. She acknowledges that he is already married, but his charm and kisses still tempt her. The other character in the story is also lonely, but their relationship may never mean more than a sin to him. However, both characters cannot deny their undeniable attraction to each other.
The song expresses the struggle and guilt of knowing what the right thing to do is but not being able to resist temptation. They both know that they are doing something wrong, but they can’t resist the pull they feel towards each other. Despite the guilt and the pressure from society, they know they are going to stay with each other for now. The phrase "I'll do the right thing come tomorrow" suggests that there is still hope for them to make things right in the future.
The song addresses themes of temptation, guilt, and morality. It shows the complexity of human relationships and the grey areas that often occur. It captures the torture that can be experienced when faced with having to choose between desire and morals.
Line by Line Meaning
From the first time that I saw you
I was drawn to you immediately
I wanted nothing but to make you mine
I desired to have a meaningful relationship with you
Now there's this girl with milk white hands
There is another woman in your life
And on her finger your wedding band shines
You are married to that woman
Still you tempt me with your kisses
You still arouse my desire with your kisses
Still you tempt me with your charm
You still attract me with your charisma
Ain't gonna struggle no more with this
I am not going to resist my feelings anymore
Tonight I'm gonna lie down in your arms
I am going to be intimate with you tonight
And all my fear and all my sorrow
All my worries and sadness
It will disappear
Will vanish
I'll do the right thing come tomorrow
I will make the appropriate choice in the future
But tonight I'm gonna stay right here
But for now, I will stay with you
Now me I'm just a lonely girl
I am a person who feels isolated and yearns for love
And I know baby you're a lonely man
I know you are also seeking companionship
And I may never mean more to you
I may not hold significant importance in your life
Than a sin that lied waiting in your hands
Than a temptation that you cannot resist
Still I tempt you with my kisses
I still seduce you with my kisses
Still I tempt you with my charm
I still attract you with my amiability
Ain't gonna ask but one thing of you
I will only request one thing from you
Forgive me darling and I'll forgive you - well
You pardon me and I will excuse you as well
Come tomorrow don't you worry baby
Do not fret about tomorrow
Ain't gonna turn the blame on you
I will not shift the responsibility to you
Come tomorrow ain't nobody gonna
Tomorrow no one will
Make me walk in shame - for loving you
Make me feel ashamed for loving you
I ain't got no diamonds on my fingers
I do not possess any diamonds on my fingers
Ain't got no gold baby in my hands
I do not have any wealth in my hands
I know this world don't owe me nothing
I comprehend that the world does not owe me anything
So tonight I'm going to take baby what I can
So tonight I will grab whatever I can
Contributed by Thomas T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.