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."
Mink Coats
Patty Larkin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that old rebel yell has got a hollow sound
And I feel ridiculous, but it looks good on you
It's for the romance of a naked bulb
Champagne in a paper cup
Now that everybody loves you
Even Jesus loves you too
Never doubt
Who you are
Never think that
You don't deserve this
From down here
Where we are
You're the brightest
Star of the circus
You've got a history of gold lame
You can't help it you were born that way
With the dangerous gift of beauty
Now everybody's got the view
You've got the mystery of an open wound
It's such a mess and you're walking through the ruins
Dressed in black
With a permanent tattoo
Never doubt
Who you are
Never think that
You don't deserve this
From down here
Where we are
You're the brightest
Star of the circus
Mink coats don't trickle down
And the three ring circus is the perfect place for clowns
They look ridiculous
They think the joke's on you
Go on and them em a kiss
There will never be another you
In Patty Larkin's song "Mink Coats", the lyrics highlight the disparities in wealth and status between people, describing how mink coats, a source of extravagance and luxury, do not trickle down to everyone. The song also comments on the hollowness of some forms of rebellion, as the "old rebel yell" doesn't seem to resonate with the singer. The chorus repeats the message that regardless of their circumstances or past, the person being addressed in the song should never doubt who they are and that they deserve the attention and admiration they receive, as they are the "brightest star of the circus".
The second verse describes the person being sung to as having a "history of gold lame" and being gifted with beauty. However, the beauty is described as a "dangerous gift", highlighting the negative impact that it can have on a person's life. The "mystery of an open wound" that the person carries with them adds an element of vulnerability and perhaps even tragedy to their story. Despite this, they are praised and admired as the "brightest star of the circus", implying that they are still able to shine and stand out even amidst the chaos and turmoil of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Mink coats don't trickle down
The wealth of the privileged few does not benefit the common people
And that old rebel yell has got a hollow sound
The rebellious spirit has lost its potency and become meaningless
And I feel ridiculous, but it looks good on you
I feel silly for admiring superficial things like mink coats, but they still look good on you
It's for the romance of a naked bulb
Sometimes beauty and charm can come from something simple and unadorned
Champagne in a paper cup
Even something cheap and disposable can become special when presented with elegance
Now that everybody loves you, Even Jesus loves you too
Success and fame can bring shallow adoration from many, even those who don't truly care for you
Never doubt, Who you are
Don't question your worth or identity
Never think that, You don't deserve this
Believe in yourself and know that you deserve success
From down here, Where we are, You're the brightest, Star of the circus
To the common people, you are a shining star among many lesser lights
You've got a history of gold lame
You have a long legacy of shining brightly and standing out
You can't help it you were born that way
Your natural gifts and qualities make you unique and special
With the dangerous gift of beauty, Now everybody's got the view
Your stunning beauty can be both a blessing and a curse, as it draws unwanted attention
You've got the mystery of an open wound
You seem vulnerable and exposed, yet people can't help but want to explore and uncover you
It's such a mess and you're walking through the ruins, Dressed in black With a permanent tattoo
You've gone through a lot of hardship and wear it like a badge, as symbolized by your dark clothing and permanent ink
And the three ring circus is the perfect place for clowns
The world can be a chaotic and absurd place, where those who entertain and amuse often reign supreme
They look ridiculous, They think the joke's on you
Some people may laugh at you and dismiss you as a fool, but they're the ones who truly don't understand
Go on and them em a kiss, There will never be another you
Embrace your uniqueness and give the haters a kiss goodbye, as there is no one else like you in the world
Contributed by Colton K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kevin Ahern
Never doubt
Who you are
Never think that
You don't deserve this
From down here
Where we are
You're the brightest
Star of the circus
A favorite. Thanks for posting.
Werner Hernus
Thx for upload!°