Roger, along with the other Byrds members, was honored with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
Painted Lady
Roger McGuinn Lyrics
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You're tearing me apart
Leaving me just to smile
And like a child, lady, I'll take your heart
Maybe we'll make a start
Or maybe I'll turn to leave you
Oh, but I'll come back to you
Lovely, lady, we've played the game
You know it still seems the same
Lady, I've lost the feeling
Is it real, if only you'd called my name
Told me I'm not to blame
For all the times I've left you
Oh but I came back to you
Tell you I love you, I do
Oh but I'll come back to you
Tell you I love you, I do
Oh but I came back to you
Tell you I love you, I do
Oh but I'll come back to you
Tell you I love you, I do
Tell you I love you, I do
Yes I do
The song "Painted Lady" by Roger McGuinn is a ballad that depicts the emotional turmoil of a protagonist who is in love with a woman who is unpredictable and unreliable. The first line, "Painted lady inside my heart, you're tearing me apart," suggests that the woman has taken up residence in the singer's heart and is causing him great emotional distress. He is caught between the intense love he feels for her and the fear that she will leave him.
As the song progresses, the singer seems to be struggling with the cyclical nature of their relationship. The line "Lovely lady, we've played the game, you know it still seems the same," implies that they have been in this pattern before, and it always ends the same way. He has lost the feeling, and he questions whether their love is real. He wonders if it is worth the pain and if she truly loves him, she would call his name and tell him he is not to blame for all the times he has left her.
However, despite all the pain and uncertainty, the singer cannot seem to let go of his love for the "painted lady." In the end, he resolves to come back to her and tells her he loves her, suggesting that their love is worth all the pain and that he will always be there for her.
Line by Line Meaning
Painted lady inside my heart
There is a beautiful woman who holds a special place in my heart
You're tearing me apart
My feelings for you are causing me emotional distress
Leaving me just to smile
Even when you leave me, I still find joy in your presence
And like a child, lady, I'll take your heart
I am willing to take a risk and open my heart to you, like a child who is innocent and brave
Maybe we'll make a start
Perhaps we can start a relationship together and see where it leads us
Or maybe I'll turn to leave you
Alternatively, I may choose to walk away from you and our potential relationship
Lovely, lady, we've played the game
We have been going back and forth in our relationship and it feels like a game
You know it still seems the same
Despite our efforts to change, our relationship remains stagnant
Lady, I've lost the feeling
I have lost the initial spark and passion I had for you
Is it real, if only you'd called my name
I question the authenticity of our relationship, but if you were to show me affection and attention, it may reassure me
Told me I'm not to blame
I need you to acknowledge that our relationship struggles are not solely my fault
For all the times I've left you
I have walked away from our relationship numerous times
Oh but I came back to you
Despite my doubts and inconsistencies, I always find my way back to you
Tell you I love you, I do
I want to make it clear that I love you, no matter how complicated our relationship may be
Yes I do
I am sincere in my love for you
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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