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."
Dear Heart
Patty Larkin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
dear heart, i'll find you by and by
i'll park outside your door
dear heart beat for me
dear heart beneath the shaded tree
who could ask for more
daybreak i'm headed south
don't bother trying to find me
i'll be back around here someday
dear heart, don't break for me
i'm gonna need you soon, you'll see
like it was before
hailstorms and matadors
i look down, my shoes are worn
try to apologize
but words won't come, they hide in my eyes
dear heart, we'll meet again
in some cafe along the seine
just like it was before
daybreak i'm headed south
with trumpets and drums, no doubt
rag tagged circus clowns
will trail behind with upside down frowns
dear heart, don't break for me
i'm gonna need you soon you'll see
like it was before
The song "Dear Heart" by Patty Larkin is an ode to a lost love. The lyrics are addressed directly to the heart, urging it not to be shy and promising to find it. The singer reminisces about the past, recalling a time when she and her lover spent time together under a shaded tree. However, the singer is now headed south, and she apologizes for her departure. She promises to return someday, but the heart must not break while she is gone.
The singer's journey is not an easy one, and she encounters hailstorms and matadors along the way. She tries to apologize, but the words won't come out. Nevertheless, she assures the heart that they will meet again, in a cafe along the Seine just like before. Despite the challenges she faces, she is confident that the heart will beat for her as it did in the past.
The song is a poignant and emotional meditation on love and loss. It explores the complex emotions that arise when a relationship comes to an end, and the singer's powerful yet vulnerable vocals capture those emotions perfectly.
Line by Line Meaning
dear heart, don't be shy
Encouragement to the heart to not be timid or unsure
dear heart, i'll find you by and by
Promise to search for the heart eventually
i'll park outside your door
An assurance to be nearby
dear heart beat for me
Request for the heart to continue pumping for the artist
dear heart beneath the shaded tree
The location of the heart, symbolizing rest and peace
who could ask for more
Expressing contentment with the current state
daybreak i'm headed south
Announcing departure in the morning
big words from a braggart's mouth
Words from someone who boasts or exaggerates
don't bother trying to find me
Aim to prevent others from seeking the artist
i'll be back around here someday
Promise to return in the future
dear heart, don't break for me
Asking the heart not to feel emotional pain for the singer's journey
i'm gonna need you soon, you'll see
Acknowledge the importance of the heart for survival and expression
like it was before
Request to keep things the same
hailstorms and matadors
Challenging or difficult situations
i look down, my shoes are worn
Noting the physical effects of hardship
try to apologize
Admitting fault and attempting to make amends
but words won't come, they hide in my eyes
Expressing difficulty in vocalizing emotions
dear heart, we'll meet again
Promise to reunite with the heart, indicating separation
in some cafe along the seine
Specific location of reunion, romantic and picturesque
just like it was before
Desire for familiarity and comfort
daybreak i'm headed south
Repeating the earlier line in a sense of cyclical continuity
with trumpets and drums, no doubt
A celebratory and triumphant mood
rag tagged circus clowns
A group of strange or unusual characters
will trail behind with upside down frowns
A group who disapprove or don't understand
dear heart, don't break for me
Reiteration not to feel emotional pain for the singer's journey
i'm gonna need you soon you'll see
Another acknowledgment of the importance of the heart for survival and expression
like it was before
Final request for familiarity and comfort
Contributed by Cooper W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.