The Everly Brothers (Phil and Don) were one of the most popular and influential rock acts of the 1950s. Songs like "Wake Up Little Susie" and "Take a Message to Mary" showcased the Everly's boyish charm and inspired close harmonies. As the '50s came to an end, the Everlys' star began to fade a little; the hits still came but they were not as big. The music they made was still as just as good, but attention was shifting elsewhere, like to the Beatles, who were no small fans of the Everlys themselves. As the 1960s came to a close, the brothers were exploring their country roots and making great records like Roots, which includes tracks that remain country rock classics. Unfortunately, most music fans didn't care and in the early '70s, the Everlys were stuck doing supper clubs and amusement parks.
It was at one such gig in 1973 where years of frustration boiled over and Phil and Don had a monumental breakup and each went solo.
Phil released his first solo record in 1973. Star Spangled Springer trod upon the same rootsy ground as the Everlys' last records and was a small critical success. Phil Everly released Phil's Diner in 1974 and Mystic Line in 1975 , neither of which were well-received. He tied his hand at acting appearing in Clint Eastwood's Any Which Way but Loose and did some freelance songwriting. In 1983, Don and Phil buried their differences and reunited, playing an emotional show at Royal Albert Hall. Also in 1983, Phil released another solo album, his last, for Capitol. The Everly Brothers stayed together to record three new albums in the mid- to late '80s and have been together ever since, sounding great touring the world and playing state fairs and community colleges.
Louise
Phil Everly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Louise, why did you come today now,
What have you got to say now,
Oh oh, Louise, Louise
Louise, are you such a strange girl,
You look just like an angel,
Why do you always come here,
What are you running from.
I'm captured by your presence,
And now we're all alone!
Louise, are you just a vision
Out on another mission,
Oh, oh, Louise, Louise
I've got to ask a question,
I know you won't refuse;
Are you fact, or fiction?
I've got to know the truth!
Louise, we can live forever,
And always be together,
Oh, oh, Louise, Louise
Louise, you are an angel,
What are you hiding from.
We're just two perfect strangers,
And now we're all alone!
Louise, why ya gotta go now,
Don't leave me on my own now,
Oh oh, Louise, Louise
Louise, why did you come today now,
What have you got to say now,
Oh oh, Louise, Louise
Louise, are you such a strange girl,
You look just like an angel,
Oh oh, Louise, Louise
Louise, are you just a vision,
Out on another mission,
Oh oh, Louise, Louise
Louise, we can live together,
And always be together,
Oh oh, Louise, Louise
Louise, are you just a vision,
Out on another mission,
Oh oh, Louise, Louise
Louise,.. Louise, Louise
Phil Everly's song Louise is a passionate and intense love song about a mysterious and almost supernatural woman. The song begins with the singer questioning why Louise has come, and what she has to say. He admits that she looks like an angel and wonders if she is a real person or simply a vision. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and longing, as the singer is captivated by Louise's presence and wants to know the truth about her.
The song suggests that Louise is a strange girl who is often on a different mission. The singer asks her why she always comes back and what she is running from. He is entranced by her and feels like they are the only two people in the world when they are together. Louise is portrayed as an enigmatic and alluring figure who has captured the singer's heart.
Throughout the song, the singer implores Louise not to leave him and asks her to stay with him forever. He believes that they could live together and always be together if she stays. The song ends with the repeated refrain of Louise's name, suggesting that she is still an enigma to the singer.
Overall, Phil Everly's Louise is a poetic and evocative song about an intense and mysterious love that captures the imagination of both the singer and the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Louise, why did you come today now,
Louise, what caused you to come today? I want to know what you have to say now.
What have you got to say now,
What is it that you're bringing to the table now? What is weighing on your mind that you need to say?
Oh oh, Louise, Louise
Repeating her name shows the singer's curiosity with the girl and his infatuation with her name.
Louise, are you such a strange girl,
Louise, you seem to be a peculiar girl, but in a way that captivates me.
You look just like an angel,
Angelic can be interpreted as beautiful, but without truly knowing Louise, the singer could be implying there’s more to her appearance.
Why do you always come here,
The singer is surprised by her consistent presence, but claiming she always comes is justifiable concern.
What are you running from.
Are you avoiding something, Louise? The singer can detect a sense of urgency from her presence.
I'm captured by your presence,
The singer is ensnared by her appearance, even if she does appear peculiar.
And now we're all alone!
Their conversation has made everyone disappear, and left them in isolation.
Louise, are you just a vision,
There’s a sense of disbelief from the singer—he cannot believe someone like Louise actually exists.
Out on another mission,
There’s a possibility she’s moving through the world in a mission-like way, with a clear goal in mind.
I've got to ask a question,
There’s something the singer needs to know. He’s taking this opportunity to clear the air.
I know you won't refuse;
The singer is confident in Louise’s willingness to divulge what he needs to know.
Are you fact, or fiction?
The question is metaphysical, Louise is so angelic that the singer has to ask whether she’s something more than human.
I've got to know the truth!
Repetition of this line throughout the song shows the singer’s desperation to get a straight answer from Louise.
Louise, we can live forever,
The singer envisions a life that will transcend time, with Louise maybe by his side.
And always be together,
A life where they will never be alone, and always in one another's company.
Louise, you are an angel,
The song repeats this idea to show the strength of the singer's perception of Louise.
What are you hiding from.
Implies that Louise has something hidden, and is afraid to be vulnerable with the singer.
We're just two perfect strangers,
Reinforcing the belief that they only vaguely know each other.
And now we're all alone!
Conversation has made everyone disappear, leaving only this man and a peculiar girl named Louise.
Louise, why ya gotta go now,
The song shifts into a more hurried tone, as the singer wants to spend more time with Louise before she goes.
Don't leave me on my own now,
He has become captivated by Louise, and does not want to be left alone.
Louise, why did you come today now,
Simulates the idea that Louise’s presence is unpredictable, and no one knows when she might show up.
What have you got to say now,
The song ends with this same line, emphasizing one more time that Louise has a secret she's withholding, or something that she just needs to say.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iangomm
One of my proudest moments as a songwriter, Phil Everly sings my song 'Louise'. RIP Mr Everly.
@RokerClaret
+Ian Gomm Great song thank you
@darrenjray
Really great song, Ian. Has given me many hours of enjoyment.
@darrenjray
But please, Ian, tell me Phil isn't playing the right chords in this clip. What the?!
@ariszwart
I can imagine your proud. Listening hours Everly Brorhers yet. Phil a bit my favorite.
Aris Zwart Amstelveen The Netherlands
@Louisee1203
My mother used to phone up and request this on our local radio station for my birthday every year when I was a kid!
@chainamarie03
Adorable Phil with the sweetest crooked smile and such a wonderful voice. He's sorely missed R.I.P. Phil♡
@Leen61
@ Chai'naMarie03 I feel the same.
@TheSammygmusic
Another Great song written by my Father And Sang very good as well by Phil Everly.
@lechat8736
Sam Gomm
How wonderful that you commented.
Congratulations to your dad and you. You must be very pround. I certainly would be :)))