Produced by Saint Etie… Read Full Bio ↴Written by Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs & Tatiana Mais
Produced by Saint Etienne
Released February 1993 on So Tough
Notes The 2nd collaboration with British MC, Q-Tee, following the 1991 effort, Filthy. The keyboard riff comes from Up Wareika Hill by Augustus Pablo. The drum pattern is sampled from Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun by The Beastie Boys.
Calico
Saint Etienne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dreamin' / that you are in my world, /
Wishin' / like a little girl. /
Watchin', / closely, / you suddenly appear. /
Like a dream, / you're gone, then you're here. /
You take to emotion / like a bird to flight. /
You drop an invitation, / maybe I just might /
Be your lover / or better / a friendly / aquaintance. /
Calico, / calico, / calico, / calico. /
Calico, / calico, / calico, / calico. /
You're realistic, / your face conceal. /
Accentuate the passion. / I will reveal. /
You're like an angel that delights with the day. /
I'm pleadin' / don't ever go away, /
Story's reaching peak / the outlook is bleak. /
Please talk, say that you'll speak. / you're strong and I am weak. /
I need / the fortune at the end of the rainbow. /
I see you like a lantern - / you have a certain glow. / calico. /
Your smile is warm soft, / forever / appealing. /
Whenever you are present like a letter I am sealing. /
My love / like a dove / that blesses from above. /
The shower in an hour / won't you let me be your towel? / calico. /
Affection / affects you like a weapon. /
You're extreme and supreme / and nothing that you seem. /
A fateful chance / with a twist of hope. /
I'll be with you all the way / down the magical slope.
Calico, / calico, / calico, / calico. /
Calico, / calico, / calico, / calico. /
Calico, / calico, / calico, / calico. /
Babe, don't be afraid, / I'm wit' you everywhere. /
Gliding through enchanted waters / to you I swear. /
Expression is the key, / it's good enough for me. /
Cali can't you see, / forever yours? /
There's a feeling / of warmth, / a serious / sensation. /
It's true, / you have that / good vibration.
Your charm is overwhelming, you have reaches that I seldom see, /
Calico just let me be the one! /
Calico, / calico, / calico, / calico. /
Calico, / calico, / calico, / calico. /
Calico, / calico, / calico, / calico. /
Calico, / calico, / calico, / calico. /
Calico. / I see / that we were meant to be. /
Goin' in ? ? ?
[outro samples:]
I never take of my hat except when I'm out of doors!
She made a prize from jenkins' ear, / and washed it down with a bottle of beer.
The lyrics of Saint Etienne's "Calico" express a longing for and fascination with a mysterious and elusive love interest. The singer dreams of their presence and wishes for their attention, describing them as realistic and passionate, with a certain glow that makes them stand out. However, the object of their affections seems to come and go unpredictably, inspiring both hope and anxiety. Despite this, the singer expresses a desire to be close to them, whether as a lover or simply as a friend, and is willing to dedicate themselves to the relationship, paying "love to you like maintenance." The song ultimately ends on a note of determination, as the singer declares that they see the two of them as being "meant to be," and expresses a hope to move forward together – although the outro samples suggest that the relationship might be just as quirky and unpredictable as the song itself.
"Calico" was originally released as the B-side to Saint Etienne's 1993 single "Pale Movie." The song's origins lie in Sarah Cracknell and Q-Tee's friendship, which developed after the two met in a clothes shop in Camden. Q-Tee, a rapper and producer who was part of Soul II Soul's live band, had been impressed by Sarah's singing voice and had started working with her on demos. "Calico" was one of these early collaborations, and Q-Tee's verses inject a distinctly hip-hop energy into Saint Etienne's retro-pop sound. The song has since become a fan favorite and has been included on several of the band's compilations, including 2004's Travel Edition 1990-2005.
Line by Line Meaning
Dreamin' / that you are in my world, /
I often think about you and imagine you in my life
Wishin' / like a little girl. /
I have desires and hopes similar to a young girl
Watchin', / closely, / you suddenly appear. /
I keep an eye on you and suddenly you are in front of me
Like a dream, / you're gone, then you're here. /
You are like a dream - sometimes here and sometimes gone
You take to emotion / like a bird to flight. /
You are very emotional and express your feelings easily and openly
You drop an invitation, / maybe I just might /
You hint at us having a romantic relationship, and I might just take you up on that
Be your lover / or better / a friendly / aquaintance. /
I am open to being your lover or even just a good friend
Truly as I duly pay my love to you like maintenance. /
I am committed to loving and taking care of you
Calico, / calico, / calico, / calico. /
The repetition of "calico" is just a filler It has no meaning in the song.
You're realistic, / your face conceal. /
You are practical and level-headed, but somewhat guarded or reserved in your emotions
Accentuate the passion. / I will reveal. /
I will bring out your passion and help you express it
You're like an angel that delights with the day. /
You are like a bright and beautiful angel, bringing joy and happiness
I'm pleadin' / don't ever go away, /
I am pleading with you not to leave - I want you to stay with me
Story's reaching peak / the outlook is bleak. /
The climax of our story is approaching, but the outcome looks hopeless
Please talk, say that you'll speak. / you're strong and I am weak. /
I want you to communicate with me and tell me you'll stay with me. You are strong and I am weaker in this situation
I need / the fortune at the end of the rainbow. /
I need the happiness and good fortune that lies at the end of the path I am on
I see you like a lantern - / you have a certain glow. / calico. /
I see you as a beacon of light in my life, you have a particular glow or aura
Your smile is warm soft, / forever / appealing. /
Your warm and gentle smile is always compelling and attractive
Whenever you are present like a letter I am sealing. /
You complete me, like a letter that I have been meaning to send for a long time
My love / like a dove / that blesses from above. /
My love for you is pure and gentle, like a blessing from heaven above, like a dove's coo or gentle fluttering flight.
The shower in an hour / won't you let me be your towel? / calico. /
I want to be there for you through it all, even if it means just being a help as small as a towel would be in drying you after a shower.
Affection / affects you like a weapon. /
You wield your affection and emotions like a powerful weapon
You're extreme and supreme / and nothing that you seem. /
You are very intense and powerful in ways that aren't always apparent
A fateful chance / with a twist of hope. /
Our meeting was a fateful chance, but there is still hope for us
I'll be with you all the way / down the magical slope.
I'll stay with you through it all, no matter how challenging or difficult it may be
Babe, don't be afraid, / I'm wit' you everywhere. /
Don't be scared or worried, I will be there for you always
Gliding through enchanted waters / to you I swear. /
I promise to be with you always, like gliding through magical and enchanted waters
Expression is the key, / it's good enough for me. /
Being open and expressive with each other is the key to a good relationship, and that's all I need
Cali can't you see, / forever yours? /
Can't you see that I am yours forever?
There's a feeling / of warmth, / a serious / sensation. /
There is a strong feeling of warmth and seriousness when I'm with you
It's true, / you have that / good vibration.
It's true, you have a positive and attractive energy
Your charm is overwhelming, you have reaches that I seldom see, /
Your charm and charisma are powerful and rare, and I am fortunate to experience them
Calico just let me be the one! /
Please let me be the one for you
I see / that we were meant to be. /
I know deep down that we are meant to be together
Goin' in ? ? ?
This does not have any meaning in the song.
I never take of my hat except when I'm out of doors!
This doesn't seem to have any direct meaning in the song, but it may be a reference to being honest, open, and true to oneself at all times.
She made a prize from jenkins' ear, / and washed it down with a bottle of beer.
This doesn't seem to have any direct meaning in the song, but it may be a nod to random facts or stories that pop up unexpectedly
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB STANLEY, HORACE MICHAEL SWABY, PETER STEWART WIGGS, TATIANA MAIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind