Prior to joining L.A. Guns Lewis has also worked with Girl (featuring Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen), New Torpedos, and Torme. While temporarily out of L.A. Guns, he sang for the bands Filthy Lucre and the Liberators.
Phil was engaged to model and actress Britt Ekland in the late 70's and early 80's
He also guested on the Sheer Greed song "Everybody Wants" on their Sublime To The Ridiculous album.
He has a solo album titled both as El Niño and More Purple Than Black.
My Michelle
Phil Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now that Mommy's not around
She used to love her heroine
But now she's underground
So you stay out late at night
And you do your coke for free
Drivin' your friends crazy
Well, well, well you just can't tell
Well, well, well my Michelle
Sowin' all your wild oats
In another's luxuries
Yesterday was Tuesday
Maybe Thursday you can sleep
But school starts much too early
And this hotel wasn't free
So party till your connection calls
Honey, I'll return the keys
Well, well, well you just can't tell
Well, well, well my Michelle
Well, well, well you never can tell
Well, well, well my Michelle
Everyone needs love
You know that it's true
Someday you'll find someone
That'll fall in love with you
But oh the time it takes
When you're all alone
Someday you'll find someone
That you can call your own
But till then ya better
Now you're clean and so discreet
I won't say a word
But most of all this song is true
Case you haven't heard
So c'mon and stop your cryin'
'Cause we both now money burns
Honey, don't stop tryin'
An' you'll get what you deserve
The lyrics of Phil Lewis's song "My Michelle" are about a girl named Michelle who comes from a dysfunctional family. Her father works in the porn industry and her mother has passed away. Michelle's lifestyle is reckless, and she uses cocaine, parties late into the night, and sleeps around in fancy hotel rooms. The song talks about the loneliness and desperation of Michelle's life and how she is searching for love and acceptance.
The lyrics also suggest that Michelle is aware of her situation and desires to make a change. The line "now you're clean and so discreet" shows that she has cleaned up her act and is no longer living the wild life she once did. The song ends on a hopeful note, urging Michelle to keep trying until she gets what she deserves.
Overall, "My Michelle" is a poignant song about the struggles of a young woman who is yearning for love and acceptance in a world that seems to be working against her.
Line by Line Meaning
Your daddy works in porno
Your father is employed in the pornographic industry
Now that Mommy's not around
Since your mother has passed away or is no longer present
She used to love her heroine
She formerly had a fondness for heroin
But now she's underground
However, she has passed away and is buried
So you stay out late at night
As a result, you often stay out very late
And you do your coke for free
You consume cocaine without needing to pay for it
Drivin' your friends crazy
Your behavior is disturbing your friends
With your life's insanity
Due to the insanity of your life
Well, well, well you just can't tell
There is a great deal of uncertainty (implied) in life
Well, well, well my Michelle
This phrase is repeated as a chorus, Michelle is addressed directly
Sowin' all your wild oats
You are spending your youth engaging in hedonistic behaviors
In another's luxuries
While partaking in someone else's wealth and social status
Yesterday was Tuesday
The song provides a non-sequitur, Tuesday is just a day
Maybe Thursday you can sleep
It suggests that Michelle is so busy partying that she might only get around to resting on Thursday
But school starts much too early
However, she still has to attend classes despite being sleep-deprived
And this hotel wasn't free
The costs of her lifestyle are catching up to her
So party till your connection calls
Until her drug supplier contacts her
Honey, I'll return the keys
Michelle is borrowing someone's car, and she promises to give back the keys
Everyone needs love
A statement of fact that underscores the common human desire for intimacy
You know that it's true
Michelle is aware of this truth
Someday you'll find someone
Eventually, Michelle will discover a romantic partner
That'll fall in love with you
Who will reciprocate her affections
But oh the time it takes
However, this process may take a while
When you're all alone
Particularly when a person is unpartnered
That you can call your own
Michelle will have someone who belongs to her someday
But till then ya better
Until that day arrives, Michelle should be aware that...
Now you're clean and so discreet
At this point, you are drug-free and cautious
I won't say a word
The artist will indulge in Michelle's newfound respectability
But most of all this song is true
The crooner means what he is singing
Case you haven't heard
For the sake of anyone who hasn't been listening
So c'mon and stop your cryin'
Michelle shouldn't be upset
'Cause we both know money burns
Money is fleeting and ephemeral
Honey, don't stop tryin'
But don't give up the chase either. Keep on keeping on until you get the result you desire
An' you'll get what you deserve
In the end, you will receive what's yours by rights: love, money, or success.
Writer(s): , Duff Rose Mc Kagan, Steven Adler, W. Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin Copyright: Guns N' Roses Music, Black Frog Music
Contributed by Eli S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.