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."
Tango
Patty Larkin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a holiday season, get out your greeting card
Well now it's
Kind of like a birthday
kind of like a freeway
Kind of like violins
Kind of like a Tango
Me and you again
Pulled to the magnet and pounded out into a wheel,
Well now it's
Kind of like a moving train
Kind of like a haunting refrain
That you hear on the wind
Kind of like a Tango
Me and you again
Don't change outfits and don't bother pressing your clothes
Well, I'm coming to see you and I want to see you up close
And now it's
Kind of like romance
Kind of like tight pants
Kind of like Original Sin
Kinf of like a Tango
Me and you again
All these bleak Decembers
All these ice encounters
All that I remember
Is all the love in my life, all the love in my life
Bells are ringing, sirens going off
it's a holiday season, get out your greeting cards
Well now it's
Kind of like champagne
Kind of like Coltrane
With the volume turned up to ten
Kind of like a tango
Me and you again
It's kind of like ballet legs
Just like Lambada craze
Dancing 'till dawn in the den
Kind of like a Tango
Me and you again
ahh, yeah...
In Patty Larkin's song "Tango," the listener is transported to a holiday season with bells ringing and sirens going off in the background. The lyrics describe a feeling of celebration and anticipation as the singer and her partner prepare to reunite. The comparison to a birthday and freeway suggests the excitement and energy of the moment. The use of the word "Tango" highlights the passion and intensity of the relationship between the two individuals. The lyrics also touch on the paradoxical nature of the relationship. As the singer describes the "bits of metal, heart of gold, will of steel" that make up her lover, she also mentions "Original Sin," hinting at the complexity and contradictions of the partnership.
As the song continues, the lyrics describe the singer's longing to be close to her partner. She urges them not to "change outfits," presumably so they can remain comfortable and relaxed around each other. The references to "tight pants" and "Lambada craze" suggest a physical attraction and playfulness between the two individuals. The use of "champagne" and "Coltrane" exemplify the joyful and passionate mood of the moment.
Overall, "Tango" is a song about the excitement and complexity of a relationship. The lyrics create a sense of anticipation and celebration as the singer prepares to be reunited with her partner, while also alluding to the challenges and contradictions that come with intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Bells are ringing, sirens going off
It's a chaotic holiday season, filled with noise and commotion
It's a holiday season, get out your greeting card
It's time to spread joy and love to those around you
Well now it's
The mood has changed, and the following lines describe the new feeling
Kind of like a birthday
Celebratory, special, a time to honor someone
kind of like a freeway
Full of movement and direction, fast-paced
Kind of like violins
Elegant and beautiful, full of emotion
Kind of like a Tango
Passionate, intense, and intimate
Me and you again
Referring to a shared experience with someone special
Bits of metal, heart of gold, will of steel
Describing the makeup of a strong and resilient person
Pulled to the magnet and pounded out into a wheel,
Despite challenges, this person has forged ahead and become something powerful
Kind of like a moving train
Strong, powerful, and unstoppable
Kind of like a haunting refrain
Memorable, with a lingering presence, possibly even sorrowful
That you hear on the wind
Something that lingers in memory, hard to forget
Don't change outfits and don't bother pressing your clothes
The focus is on the connection between people, not the superficial aspects
Well, I'm coming to see you and I want to see you up close
The desire to be close and truly experience a person, without any barriers
Kind of like romance
Love, passion, and desire
Kind of like tight pants
Intense, all-consuming, and maybe a little restrictive
Kind of like Original Sin
Taboo, but irresistible and thrilling
Kinf of like a Tango
Passionate and intense, a dance of seduction
All these bleak Decembers
Difficult times, possibly cold and lonely
All these ice encounters
Difficult and icy barriers between people, hindering connection
All that I remember
Despite past struggles, the memories that remain are of love and connection
Is all the love in my life, all the love in my life
Repeated for emphasis, highlighting the importance of love in life
Kind of like champagne
Bubbly, celebratory, and indulgent
Kind of like Coltrane
Soulful and intense, evoking emotion
With the volume turned up to ten
An intensification of the feeling, to the point of being overwhelming
It's kind of like ballet legs
Graceful, elegant, and beautiful
Just like Lambada craze
Exotic and sensual, captivating people's attention
Dancing 'till dawn in the den
A shared experience with someone special, lost in the moment and dancing together
Kind of like a Tango
Passionate, intense, and intimate
Me and you again
Referring to a shared experience with someone special
Contributed by Alex Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
HeatherBobether
LOVE her so much. I saw her live and I swear her guitar was smoking. She just kills it every time.
hjarten
This lady is totally mesmerizing.
Sherry Greenspan
Patti Larkin is remarkable - powerful, sensual, brilliant, funny as hell! THANK YOU!
Marie Anne Celtic woman
Every time I see her live she impresses. Patty Larkin fan since 89
coolohms
Jaw dropping performance. I love this song. Patty Larkin is a true original.
cricket61161
LOVE LOVE LOVE this song!
Paul Guzman
My God the sound of that guitar, the perfection in technique, and I can almost Feel her through her Music, This Lady is a Master!! This old Rocker can listen to her all day!
vampyros1
@dklue Agreed, great sounding guitar and she plays it so well.
coolohms
Awesome performance, awesome song--very inspiring. Great sound from that guitar. I was surprised that no one on YouTube has done a cover version so I made one. Hope to see her live one day.
John Pace
One of my favorite lines in all of songdom: Kind of like Coltrane with the volume turned up to ten."