Richard Thompson OBE (born 3 April 1949, Notting Hill, London) is a British… Read Full Bio ↴Richard Thompson OBE (born 3 April 1949, Notting Hill, London) is a British singer/songwriter and guitarist. Highly regarded for his guitar techniques, Thompson was awarded the Orville H. Gibson award for best acoustic guitar player in 1991. Similarly, his songwriting has earned him an Ivor Novello Award and, in 2006, a lifetime achievement award from BBC Radio. Thompson made his debut as a recording artist as a member of Fairport Convention in September 1967. He left the group in 1971 and began recording with his wife as Richard & Linda Thompson, before their marriage dissolved in 1983. Since then, Thompson has maintained a critically-acclaimed solo career.

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.

The Lady Is A Tramp
Richard Thompson Lyrics

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She gets too hungry, for dinner at eight
She loves the theater, but doesn't come late
She'd never bother, with people she'd hate
That's why the lady is a tramp

Doesn't like crap games, with barons and earls
Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of those girls

That's why the lady is a tramp

She loves the free, fresh wind in her hair
Life without care
She's broke, but it's OK
She hates California, it's cold and it's damp
That's why the lady is a tramp

Doesn't like dice games, with sharpies and frauds
Won't go to Harlem, in Lincolns or Fords

Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of those broads
That's why the lady is a tramp

Overall Meaning

Richard Thompson's song "The Lady Is a Tramp" is a tribute to a non-conformist woman who resists societal norms and expectations. The song paints a picture of a woman who does not follow the conventions of high society, yet is comfortable in her own skin. The woman described in the lyrics is not interested in going out for dinner at a specified time or hobnobbing with influential people. She is more interested in enjoying life without prying into other people's affairs. She doesn't play dice games or indulge in gossip, and won't dress up in fancy clothes to impress anyone. The woman Thompson sings about is content to be a tramp, meaning she's happy making her way through life without adhering to anyone else's rules.

The "Lady" in this song is comfortable with not having much money and doing things her way, rather than allowing herself to be controlled by societal norms. She is an independent thinker, who values her freedom above all else. The song is not about a woman who is promiscuous or disreputable in any way, but rather a woman who values her individuality and independence. In that sense, the "Lady" is the ultimate feminist symbol.

Interestingly, the song has become a jazz standard, with it being covered by many artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. The song is also popular in various films, television shows and commercials.

Line by Line Meaning

She gets too hungry, for dinner at eight
She is usually quite hungry and prefers to have dinner early.

She loves the theater, but doesn't come late
She enjoys the theater but doesn't arrive late out of respect for the performers.

She'd never bother, with people she'd hate
She chooses not to engage with people she dislikes to maintain her own peace of mind.

That's why the lady is a tramp
These unconventional choices and behaviors are why the artist refers to her as a tramp, which may be meant as a compliment.

Doesn't like crap games, with barons and earls
She does not enjoy playing games of chance involving high society.

Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
She avoids pretending to be of a higher social status than she actually is, especially in the company of people who may feel intimidated by this behavior.

Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of those girls
She does not like to gossip with other women out of respect for their privacy and dignity.

She loves the free, fresh wind in her hair
She enjoys feeling the wind blow through her hair and values her freedom to experience such simple pleasures.

Life without care
She lives her life unburdened by the concerns and stresses of others.

She's broke, but it's OK
She does not have much money but is content regardless.

She hates California, it's cold and it's damp
She dislikes California because the weather is not to her liking.

Doesn't like dice games, with sharpies and frauds
She has no interest in games of chance conducted by dishonest individuals.

Won't go to Harlem, in Lincolns or Fords
She refuses to engage in a conspicuous display of wealth, especially in the company of others who might be less fortunate.

Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of those broads
She does not engage in tawdry or salacious gossip like many other women do in order to assert themselves or feel important.

That's why the lady is a tramp
This unconventional behavior is again highlighted as the source of the singer's admiration for her character.

Contributed by Lincoln S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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