He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
My Soul
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
she's never gonna shake it up
She's never gonna shake it up
She's never gonna shake it up
she's never gonna eye me right
She's never gonna eye me right
She's never gonna eye me right
The way I want to be eyed
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
Way she crimps her curls
Way she calls that hog
Way she sips her tea
Way she smokes that log
Way she bangs the wall
Way she walks the dog
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
I showed her my invitation
I showed her my invitation
I showed her my invitation
If she didn't go and scratch me off
She gave me my party favors
She gave me my party favors
She gave me my party favors
But nothing was sweet enough
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
Haven't I flipped you a thousand times or more?
Haven't I flipped you a thousand times or more?
Haven't I flipped you a thousand times or more?
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
she's never gonna shake it up
She's never gonna shake it up
She's never gonna shake it up
She?ll never be satisfied
she's never gonna eye me right
She's never gonna eye me right
She's never gonna eye me right
The way I want to be eyed
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
My soul, my soul, my soul
"My Soul My Soul" by Richard Thompson is a song that exudes a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with a particular person. The singer seems to be expressing his desire that the woman in question would pay more attention to him, rather than being absorbed in mundane activities such as crimping her hair or walking the dog. He mentions how she will "never be satisfied", and despite giving her an invitation to an event, he feels she does not value him enough by expressing this through the lyrics:
"I showed her my invitation
If she didn't go and scratch me off
She gave me my party favors
But nothing was sweet enough"
The repetition of the phrase "my soul" in the chorus serves as a reminder of the intensity and importance of the singer's emotions. It is almost as if he is pleading with her to see him as he truly is, and not just an occasional companion. The song seems to be a depiction of a relationship that has gone stale, and the singer seems to be searching for an escape from the monotony.
Overall, "My Soul My Soul" is a poignant and reflective song that deals with themes of unrequited love, frustration, and yearning for something more.
Line by Line Meaning
My soul, my soul, my soul
Repetition emphasizes the importance of the soul in this song.
she's never gonna shake it up
The woman referred to here is not going to change, no matter what happens.
She'll never be satisfied
The woman will always want more and will never be completely happy.
she's never gonna eye me right
The woman doesn't look at the artist in the way that he wants her to.
The way I want to be eyed
The artist has a specific way that he wants the woman to look at him, but she is not meeting his expectations.
Way she crimps her curls
The singer lists specific things about the woman that he has noticed and remembers.
Way she calls that hog
Another example of the singer listing specific details about the woman that he remembers.
Way she sips her tea
Yet another example of the artist listing specific details about the woman that he remembers.
Way she smokes that log
Still another example of the artist listing specific details about the woman that he remembers.
Way she bangs the wall
Final example of the artist listing specific details about the woman that he remembers.
I showed her my invitation
The singer gave the woman an invitation, presumably to a party or event.
If she didn't go and scratch me off
If the woman did not attend, it would be a strike against the artist.
She gave me my party favors
The woman gave the singer some kind of gift or souvenir from the event.
But nothing was sweet enough
Despite receiving a gift from the woman, the singer was not happy with what he received.
Haven't I flipped you a thousand times or more?
The singer is frustrated and asking whether he has tried everything he can to make the woman see things his way.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RICHARD THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ken Soehn
on Love in a Faithless Country
At a show at the Culch (The Vancouver East Cultural Centre) decades ago, Thompson said the song was inspired by two British serial killers, who seemed to be inspiring each other through the newspapers. Now you know why it sounds so spooky.
Mark Apelman
on Devonside
Not sure what this song means, but I love the feeling of it.