Summer Babe
Pavement Lyrics


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Ice, baby
I saw your girlfriend and she was
Eating her fingers like they're just another meal
But she waits there in the levee washes
Mixin' cocktails with a plastic-tipped cigar

My eyes stick to all the shiny robes
She wear on the protein delta strip
In an abandoned house, but I will wait there
I'll be waitin' forever

I'm waitin', waitin', waitin', waitin'
Waitin', waitin', waitin', waitin', go

Minerals, ice deposit daily
Drop off the first shiny robe
I've got a lotta things I want to sell, but
Not here, babe
You took 'em all

Every time I sit around, I find I'm shot
Every time I sit around, I find I'm shot
Every time I turn around, my friend
Every time I sit around, my friend
Every time, every time, every time, every time
Every time, every time, every time

You're my
Summer babe
Summer babe




Summer babe
Summer babe

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Summer Babe" by Pavement are open to interpretation, but one common interpretation is that the singer is observing his girlfriend's friend who is visibly nervous or anxious (eating her fingers) and mixing cocktails with a plastic-tipped cigar. The singer describes the elegant outfits this person wears, but notes that they are in an abandoned house. Despite this, the singer will wait there forever for this person. The following lines reference ice deposits and mineral daily drops, suggesting that the person he is waiting for is worth the wait.


The repetition of the phrase "every time" at the end of the song seems to suggest that the singer is constantly dealing with feelings of being "shot" or hopeless, but his "summer babe" brings some light and joy into his life. The song overall has a vague and dreamy quality that leaves its interpretation up to the listener's imagination.


Line by Line Meaning

Ice baby
I see you, and I am frozen with awe


I saw your girlfriend and she was Eating her fingers, like they're just another meal But she waits there, in the levee wash Mixin' cocktails with a plastic tipped cigar
Your girlfriend seems unphased by the world's harshness and seems to enjoy her own company regardless of location or attire


My eyes stick, to all the shiny robes She wear on the protein delta strip In abandoned house but I will wait there I'll be waitin' forever
I cannot help but stare at the flashy clothing she wears while she goes on with a lifestyle I cannot understand, but I will never give up hope that we can be together someday


I'm waitin' Waitin' Waitin' Waitin' Waitin' Waitin' Waitin' Waitin', go
I am waiting with eager anticipation for our love to finally be realized in this world, and I am ready to pursue it now


Minerals, ice deposits daily, drop off The first shiny robe I've got a lot of things I want sell, but Not here, babe Took 'em
I have accumulated many resources, but I am not interested in selling them here. Instead, I will take what I need and leave behind my possessions


Every time, I sit around, I find I'm shot Every time, I sit around, I find I'm shot Every time, I turn around, I find Every time, I sit around, I find
Every time I become too comfortable with the life I have, I find myself feeling empty and unfulfilled, leading me to search for something more


Every time Every time Time Every time Every time Every time You're my
Every moment of my life, I am consumed by thoughts of you and how much I desire to be with you in this world


Summer babe Summer babe Summer babe Summer babe
In my heart, you are the embodiment of summertime and all the beauty and joy it brings




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Scott Kannberg, Stephen Joseph Malkmus

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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