Formed around the partnership of Lowe with Edmunds, the two musicians inspired by melodic 50s and 60s rock n roll, the band took its name from the title of a 1972 album by Edmunds. Rockpile was primarily known as a backup group to those two artists' solo projects. However, the band did release one official album, titled 'Seconds of Pleasure' in 1980, which spawned the minor hit "Teacher Teacher" while also receiving strong critical praise. In August of that year, the guys played the noted Heatwave festival near Toronto, and the group additionally made their only American television appearance on the ABC variety program 'Fridays'. The band broke up in 1981.
Pet You and Hold You
Rockpile Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's get together in the lunch hour, but we must be discreet
I'm not the kind that makes the fastest thing 'cause given half the chance
I'd rather pet you and hold you and pet you
Pet you and hold you
Older but no wiser in a military spot
The NCO just told the C-in-C everything I'm not
It was to pet you and hold you and pet you
Pet you and hold you
It was to pet you and hold you and pet you
Pet you and hold you
'Cause you got a style that makes me want to stick to it
And you got a smile that just won't quit
And you got a walk that makes me wanna walk with it
And you got a smell like a magnet
Baby I wanna, I wanna, how I wanna
Pet you and hold you
How I wanna pet you and hold you
Pet you and hold you
Can't get away with murder like all those pin-up boys
My middle name spells O-R-D-I-N-A-R-Y
I come across about as mean as a mouse but I become a lion
Each time I pet you and hold you and pet you
Pet you and hold you
Each time I pet you and hold you and pet you
Pet you and hold you
I want to pet you and hold you and pet you
Pet you and hold you
The first verse of the song references two nursery rhyme characters, Little Jack Horner and Little Bo Peep. Little Jack Horner is known for sticking his thumb into a pie and pulling out a plum, while Little Bo Peep is known for losing her sheep. The two characters represent opposites, Little Jack Horner being mischievous and Little Bo Peep being innocent and naive. The singer suggests that he and the person he is addressing are similar to these characters, with him being more mischievous and the other person being more innocent.
The second verse references military life, with the singer suggesting that he has gone AWOL (Absent Without Leave) for the sake of being with the person he is addressing. He describes himself as "older but no wiser" and implies that he is not cut out for military life. His desire to be with the other person is so strong that it overrides his sense of duty and responsibility.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "pet you and hold you" multiple times, emphasizing the singer's desire for physical intimacy with the other person. He is enamored with the other person's style, smile, walk, and smell, and he feels compelled to hold and pet them.
Overall, the song is about the singer's desire for physical intimacy with someone he finds irresistible. The nursery rhyme references and military imagery add layers of meaning to the lyrics, suggesting that the singer is struggling with conflicting impulses and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so Little Jack Horner, you're so Little Bo Peep
I am like Little Jack Horner and you are like Little Bo Peep
Let's get together in the lunch hour, but we must be discreet
We should meet during lunch, but we need to be secretive
I'm not the kind that makes the fastest thing 'cause given half the chance
I am not the quickest person when given an opportunity
I'd rather pet you and hold you and pet you
I prefer caressing and cuddling with you
Older but no wiser in a military spot
Despite being older, I am not wiser, as I am in the military
The NCO just told the C-in-C everything I'm not
The non-commissioned officer just disclosed my shortcomings to the commanding officer
I wonder why they wonder why I went AWOL
I am surprised they question why I left without permission
It was to pet you and hold you and pet you
I did it because I wanted to caress and cuddle with you
'Cause you got a style that makes me want to stick to it
Your style is so appealing that I am attracted to it
And you got a smile that just won't quit
Your smile is charming and it never fades away
And you got a walk that makes me wanna walk with it
Your gait is so appealing that it makes me want to walk with you
And you got a smell like a magnet
Your scent is so alluring that it attracts me like a magnet
Baby I wanna, I wanna, how I wanna
I really, really want to
Pet you and hold you
Cuddle and caress with you
How I wanna pet you and hold you
I want to cuddle and caress with you so much
Can't get away with murder like all those pin-up boys
I cannot escape consequences like other famous men
My middle name spells O-R-D-I-N-A-R-Y
I am very ordinary
I come across about as mean as a mouse but I become a lion
I may seem weak, but when it comes to you, I am strong
Each time I pet you and hold you and pet you
I enjoy cuddling and caressing with you every time
I want to pet you and hold you and pet you
I always want to cuddle and caress with you
Pet you and hold you
Cuddle and caress with you
Contributed by Brayden F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.