Her songwriting has been praised for its wit, and her technical guitar playing has also received praise (which she made light fun of in her feminist song, Not Bad for a Broad).
In 1990, she joined Christine Lavin, Megan McDonough, and Sally Fingerett to form the Four Bitchin' Babes, with whom she toured and recorded one album.
In 2005, Larkin produced La Guitara, a compilation of songs performed by female guitarists designed to answer the question, "Why are there no great female guitar players?" with the answer being that "There are–and here they are."
Brazil
Patty Larkin Lyrics
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So she gave him the kindness of her hand
He had the smooth skin of a girl
And he moved like water through the sand
Out along the green fields
He said I do she said I will
Looking forward
Headed for the coast of Brazil
Through the eye of a curtained window
She framed the portrait of her world
She'd watch as the sun stood waiting
She called herself a shadow of a girl
Autumn kissed the summer
She packed her things in the morning chill
Left the lace in the window waving
Headed for the coast of Brazil
He lived the life of a beggar
But he was born a banker's only son
He was born an angel without wings
To the lady of Spain in old San Juan
Down at the harbor
They held their breath and stood still
Then they boarded a slow boat
Headed for the coast of Brazil
Pray for the faithful
Pray for the dream that never rests
Pray for the pilgrims
Pray for the hope inside the breast
Pray for the good ones
Heaven never has it's fill
Pray for the ones still waiting
Headed for the coast of Brazil
Pray for the ones still waiting
Headed for the coast of Brazil
The lyrics of Patty Larkin's song "Brazil" tell the story of two lovers, a man with a feminine look and delicate movements, and a woman who describes herself as a "shadow of a girl". The song highlights the contrast between the man's privileged background as a banker's son and the simple life he chose living as a beggar, and the woman's longing for freedom and escape from her restricted environment.
The phrase "He moved like water through the sand" suggests that the man was graceful and effortless, which combined with the feminine comparison, could lead to interpretation that he was gender non-conforming, and perhaps struggled for acceptance in his family or society. The couple's journey to Brazil is portrayed as their escape to a new life of exploration and hope, leaving behind their old lives and identities.
Line by Line Meaning
He was not too hard to handle
He was easy to deal with
So she gave him the kindness of her hand
She treated him kindly
He had the smooth skin of a girl
His skin was soft and smooth
And he moved like water through the sand
He flowed gracefully like water in the sand
Out along the green fields
They were traveling outside, surrounded by green fields
He said I do she said I will
They got married
Looking forward
They were optimistic about the future
Headed for the coast of Brazil
They were going to the coast of Brazil
Through the eye of a curtained window
She looked outside through a window with curtains
She framed the portrait of her world
She saw her surroundings as a picture
She'd watch as the sun stood waiting
She watched the sun as it rose or set
She called herself a shadow of a girl
She considered herself to be insignificant
Autumn kissed the summer
Summer had ended and autumn had begun
She packed her things in the morning chill
She packed her belongings in the cold morning
Left the lace in the window waving
She left the lace curtain waving in the window
He lived the life of a beggar
He lived a poor and humble life
But he was born a banker's only son
He was born into wealth and privilege
He was born an angel without wings
He was born with a good heart, but lacked power or opportunity
To the lady of Spain in old San Juan
His mother was a woman from Spain in the town of San Juan
Down at the harbor
They were at the harbor
They held their breath and stood still
They were nervous and motionless
Then they boarded a slow boat
They got on a slow boat
Pray for the faithful
Pray for those who are devoted to their faith
Pray for the dream that never rests
Pray for those who keep dreaming and striving
Pray for the pilgrims
Pray for those on a journey for a higher purpose
Pray for the hope inside the breast
Pray for those who hold hope in their hearts
Pray for the good ones
Pray for those who live a good and honest life
Heaven never has it's fill
Heaven always has room for more good souls
Pray for the ones still waiting
Pray for those who are still waiting for their dreams to come true
Headed for the coast of Brazil
They are still on their way to the coast of Brazil
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: Ary Barroso
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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