Coolidge's early career was as a backing vocalist, for artists such as Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, and Leon Russell. Her performance of "Superstar" on the Cocker/Russell Mad Dogs and Englishmen album helped gain her attention. She became known as "The Delta Lady" and inspired Leon Russell to write a song of the same name for her. It was during this time that she met Kris Kristofferson; the two married in 1973. With him, she recorded several duet albums which sold well, and earned them a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1974 for From the Bottle to the Bottom, and in 1976 for Lover Please.
In 1997, Coolidge was one of the founding members of Walela, a Native American music trio, that also includes Coolidge's sister Priscilla and Priscilla's daughter Laura Satterfield. The trio released albums in 1997 and 2000. Walela means hummingbird in Cherokee.
Slow Dancer
Rita Coolidge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never touched no silken knee
Macon baby, you drove me crazy
You were so easy to me
Lay me down in Georgia pine cones
Whisper to me through the trees
You're the one I always dream of
Whoa, slow dancer, sweet romancer
Shine your light on me
Slow dancer holds the answer
Only you can set me free
Never see your face in sunlight
Moonlight sends you straight to me
You never even got my name right
You were so easy to me
Whoa, slow dancer, sweet romancer
Shine your light on me
Slow dancer give me the answer
Only you can set me free
Slow dancer, sweet romancer
Shine your light on me
Slow dancer give me the answer
Rita Coolidge's "Slow Dancer" is a beautifully composed ballad that explores the complex emotions of a love that is both powerful and fleeting. The lyrics trace the journey of a man who has never loved a lady or touched a silken knee, but has found his true love in Macon baby, who drove him crazy and was so easy to him. The singer is lost in this love and wants to be laid down in the midst of Georgia pine cones so that he can be whispered sweet nothings through the trees. Macon baby is the one he always dreams of and the only one he sees.
The song then takes on a melancholic tone as it explores the hardships of loving someone who is not always available. The singer has never seen Macon baby's face in sunlight, but the moonlight sends her straight to him. She never even got his name right, but she was so easy to him. Despite these challenges, the slow dancer remains hopeful and asks for her to shine her light on him and give him the answer that only she can provide. In the end, the song is a powerful ode to love and the hope that it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
I have never loved a lady
I have never felt the same love that I feel now for you.
Never touched no silken knee
I have not had any intimate relationship with a woman before.
Macon baby, you drove me crazy
You have taken complete control over my heart and my feelings, and I can't resist you.
You were so easy to me
Your love and affection came to me effortlessly, and I just fell for you.
Lay me down in Georgia pine cones
Take me away to the serene and peaceful forests of Georgia where we can spend time together.
Whisper to me through the trees
Speak softly to me through the natural surroundings of the forest, where we can hear the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds.
You're the one I always dream of
You are the person who frequently appears in my dreams, and my thoughts are occupied with you all the time.
You're the only one I see
My eyes longingly search for your presence, and you are the only one I can think of.
Whoa, slow dancer, sweet romancer
You are the slow and gentle lover that I want, and I crave your romantic presence.
Shine your light on me
Let me feel your warmth and love, and let it brighten up my life.
Slow dancer holds the answer
You are the person who can answer all my questions, and you can give me the peace and happiness I need.
Only you can set me free
Only you have the capacity to release me from my worries and free me from my insecurities.
Never see your face in sunlight
I have never seen your face in the bright light of day, but that doesn't matter to me as I feel closer to you in the moonlight.
Moonlight sends you straight to me
I find comfort in the moonlight, and it brings me closer to you and our love for each other.
You never even got my name right
Although you don't know me entirely yet, it's effortless for me to fall for you.
Slow dancer give me the answer
Let your love guide me and show me the path that I need to follow.
Slow dancer, sweet romancer
You are the graceful dancer that I need, and I am attracted to your charming and loving nature.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GEORGE W. DALY, WILLIAM R. ROYCE SCAGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind