Saint Etienne is an indie dance/indie pop trio which formed in Croydon, Eng… Read Full Bio ↴Saint Etienne is an indie dance/indie pop trio which formed in Croydon, England in 1990. The band was founded by journalist Bob Stanley (born December 25, 1964) and Pete Wiggs (born May 15, 1966) in Croydon, UK, January 1990. After recording 2 singles with guest singers, Sarah Cracknell (born April 12, 1967, Chelmsford, Essex) joined as a full member. The band is named after a French football team.

Saint Etienne are one of the bands who defined the early 90s indie dance genre, fusing the production values of the dance-pop that emerged in the wake of the Second Summer of Love with the clever lyrics and self-aware production of indie music.

Puppy Love
Saint Etienne Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

And they call it "puppy love", /
but I guess they'll never know /
how the young heart really feels /
and why I love her so. /

And they say we ??? /
but I guess I'll never know /

??? /
in the saunas(?) of a soul. /

I'll cry each night [laughing] / my tears for you [laughing] /
my tears are all in vain. /
I hope and I pray / that maybe some day /
you'll be back in my arms once again. [dog barks] /

Someone help me, / help me, / help me please: /
is the answer up above? /

'cause its been so very hard for me, /
though they call it "puppy love." /

Overall Meaning

The song "Puppy Love" by Saint Etienne is a nostalgic and emotional exploration of the feeling of young love. The first verse, "And they call it 'puppy love', but I guess they'll never know how the young heart really feels and why I love her so," speaks to the dismissive attitude that adults often have towards teenage relationships. The singer insists that this love is real and deep, despite what others might think. The second verse, "And they say we're too young, but I guess I'll never know what's in the hearts and souls of two young people," expands on this idea, exploring the complexity of teenage emotions and relationships.

The chorus of the song, "I'll cry each night (laughing) my tears for you (laughing), my tears are all in vain. I hope and I pray that maybe someday you'll be back in my arms once again," captures the intense and often tumultuous nature of teenage love. The singer is hopeful but also resigned to the possibility that their relationship may not work out. The final verse, "Someone help me, help me, help me please, is the answer up above? 'Cause it's been so very hard for me, though they call it 'puppy love,'" expresses the singer's sense of confusion and desperation. They are looking for answers and guidance, but it seems like no one takes their feelings seriously.

Overall, "Puppy Love" is a poignant and relatable song about the intensity and complexity of young love. It captures the bittersweet nature of teenage relationships and the sense of longing and confusion that often accompanies them.

Line by Line Meaning

And they call it "puppy love",
Society labels our love as immature and insignificant.

but I guess they'll never know
They can never truly understand the depth of our love.

how the young heart really feels
Our love is a pure and passionate expression of our youthful hearts.

and why I love her so.
The reasons behind my love for her are personal and inexplicable to others.

And they say we ???,
Society likely gossips or disapproves of our relationship.

but I guess I'll never know
We are true to ourselves and don't care about others' opinions.

???
Our relationship is a private and intimate experience.

in the saunas(?) of a soul.
Our love is a deep and emotional connection between our souls.

I'll cry each night [laughing]
I miss her so much that all I can do is cry or laugh at the absurdity of it all.

my tears for you [laughing]
My tears are a testament to my love for her and how much I feel her absence.

my tears are all in vain.
My tears won't bring her back or ease the pain of her absence.

I hope and I pray
I hold onto the belief and desire that we will be reunited.

that maybe some day
The possibility of our reunion gives me hope and sustains me.

you'll be back in my arms once again. [dog barks]
I long for the physical embrace and companionship of my beloved, like a loyal dog waits for its owner.

Someone help me,
I am pleading for assistance and guidance in coping with my love and loss.

help me,
My desperation for help intensifies with repetition.

help me please:
I am at the mercy of the situation and need outside support to move forward.

is the answer up above?
I question whether divine intervention can resolve my anguish and reunite us.

'cause its been so very hard for me,
The struggle of being apart from her has taken a toll on me emotionally and mentally.

though they call it "puppy love."
Despite societal dismissal of our love, its intensity and impact is undeniable.

Contributed by Gianna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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