Originally coming to fame in the mid-1960s singing orchestral pop ballads as the frontman of The Walker Brothers, Walker went on to a solo career balancing a light entertainment/MOR ballad approach with increasing artistic innovations in arrangement and writing. Despite a series of acclaimed albums, a disastrous drop in sales forced him back into straight Middle of the road recordings with little of his own artistic input. This in turn eventually led to a Walker Brothers reunion in the mid-1970s (although the latter eventually moved, by mutual consent, into more avant-garde areas).
From the mid-1980s, Walker revived his solo career while drastically reinventing his artistic and compositional methods, via a series of acclaimed and vividly avant-garde albums. These combined his iconic voice with an unsettling avant-garde approach which owed more to modernist and post-modernist classical composition than to his pop singer past. This change in approach has been compared to "Andy Williams reinventing himself as Stockhausen".
Walker has been a continuing influence on other artists, in particular The Last Shadow Puppets, Marc Almond, Goldfrapp, Douglas Pearce of the band Death in June, Billy MacKenzie of The Associates, David Sylvian, Julian Cope, Antony Hegarty, Thom Yorke, Steven Wilson, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Trey Spruance, Perry Blake, Radiohead, Noah Lennox, Mikael Åkerfeldt, and the Divine Comedy/Neil Hannon.
Walker continued to release solo material until his death, and was signed to 4AD Records. As a record producer or guest performer he worked with a number of artists including Pulp, Ute Lemper, Bat For Lashes and Sunn O))).
Country Girl
Scott Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My world is made of blue skies and sunshine greenfields and butterflies
I′m so glad I'm a country girl
Birds sing good morning country girl I sleep to the sounds of a whippoorwill
My day is made with puppys and kittens meadows and daisies
I′m so glad I'm a country girl
Running over hills playing in the woods free breezes blowing
Picking stick-me-tights off my gingham dress darkness is falling
Fire wood to carry eggs to gather in supper′s ready mother′s calling
I was born a country girl I will die a country girl
My world is made of blue skies and sunshine greenfields and butterflies
I'm so glad I′m a country girl I'm so happy I′m a country girl
The lyrics of "Country Girl" by Scott Walker describe a deep connection and appreciation for a rural, countryside lifestyle. The singer proudly proclaims their identity as a country girl, emphasizing that they were born and will die embracing this way of life. They find joy in the simplicity and beauty of their surroundings, where blue skies, sunshine, green fields, and butterflies create their world. This suggests a sense of contentment and fulfillment that comes from being in harmony with nature.
The second paragraph paints a picturesque scene of their daily life. The singer mentions how in the morning, birds chirp to greet the country girl, and at night they fall asleep to the comforting sound of a whippoorwill. The singer's days are filled with the pure innocence of playing with puppies and kittens, being surrounded by meadows and daisies. This imagery conveys a tranquil and idyllic existence, far away from the chaos and stress of urban life.
The third paragraph evokes a sense of freedom and exploration. The country girl runs over hills and plays in the woods, embracing the spontaneity and adventure that nature offers. They marvel at the sight of honeybees warming themselves, and they wonder about the destination of blackbirds in flight. Even the small task of removing stick-me-tights from their gingham dress is seen as a part of the all-encompassing countryside experience. The mention of gathering firewood and eggs for supper further emphasizes the self-sufficiency and groundedness of the country girl's life.
In the final paragraph, the singer reiterates their profound gratitude and happiness for being a country girl. By reminding us of the elements that make up their world – blue skies, sunshine, green fields, and butterflies – they reinforce their profound connection to nature and their unbreakable ties to the countryside. Their contentment is palpable, as they express their joy in being a country girl, cherishing the simple pleasures that this lifestyle brings them. Ultimately, these lyrics celebrate the beauty and tranquility found in embracing a life close to nature, and the sense of belonging that it offers.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born a country girl I will die a country girl
I have lived my whole life in the countryside and I will continue to embrace my rural roots until the very end.
My world is made of blue skies and sunshine greenfields and butterflies
The natural beauty of the countryside, with its clear skies, bright sunshine, vast fields, and lovely butterflies, defines my perception of the world around me.
I'm so glad I'm a country girl
I feel immense joy and gratitude to be a girl who belongs to the countryside, as it brings me a sense of contentment and fulfillment.
Birds sing good morning country girl I sleep to the sounds of a whippoorwill
Each morning, the birds greet me with their melodious songs, and at night, the soothing calls of the whippoorwill lull me to sleep, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere in my life.
My day is made with puppies and kittens meadows and daisies
The presence of adorable puppies and kittens, along with the beauty of open meadows adorned with vibrant daisies, brings delight and happiness to my day.
I'm so glad I'm a country girl
Once again, I express my overwhelming joy and gratitude for being a girl who belongs to the countryside, as it brings me a sense of fulfillment and contentment.
Running over hills playing in the woods free breezes blowing
I love the feeling of freedom that comes from running and playing over the hills and exploring the woods, with refreshing breezes brushing against my skin.
Honeybees buzzing blackbirds a-flying wonder where they're going
The busy buzzing of honeybees and the sight of blackbirds elegantly flying in the sky make me contemplate and marvel at the mysterious destinations they are headed towards.
Picking stick-me-tights off my gingham dress darkness is falling
As dusk approaches, I carefully remove the clinging burrs from my gingham dress, preparing for the approaching darkness and the need to be cautious in the fading light.
Firewood to carry eggs to gather in supper's ready mother's calling
I gather firewood to ensure warmth in the evening, I collect eggs from the coop, and when my mother calls, it signifies that dinner is prepared and it's time for us to enjoy a family meal together.
I was born a country girl I will die a country girl
This repetition reinforces the fact that I have always been and will always remain a girl who belongs to the countryside, as it is an integral part of my identity.
My world is made of blue skies and sunshine greenfields and butterflies
Once again, I emphasize that my perception of the world revolves around the beauty of the open sky, the warmth of sunshine, the expansive green fields, and the presence of delicate butterflies.
I'm so glad I'm a country girl I'm so happy I'm a country girl
To conclude, I reiterate my overwhelming joy and happiness for being a girl who belongs to the countryside, as it brings me profound contentment and satisfaction.
Writer(s): Robert Farnon
Contributed by Alexandra M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
kester1940
Beautiful song, beautiful voice. Rest in Peace Scott.
wellandtruly joshed
Beautiful man beautiful voice ❤️ RIP Scott💔
Ron Ayer
Another beautiful song . Reminds me of the country side when I was younger. R.I P Scott. A wonderful voice you had
Bertrand Coutens
So nostalgic!!! I buy the album in 1970/71. Time passing by so fast.marvellous Scott.
Arlene Culshaw
Hi S, haven’t heard this for years, what a magic tune and with Scott’s voice it’s like heaven. Thank you S, love Arlene xxxxxxx
Count Vespasian
What a amazingly beautiful song ...so poignant
wallflower636
What a beautifully poetic song
Roger Brunstad
This song is one of my all time favorites. It was penned in the sixties by canadian Robert Farnon and was also recorded by Tony Bennett. Robert Farnon wrote the theme music to the classic tv series Secret Army
Pete Bates
Another Scott gem
Ms.Spainishlady
Simply beautiful beyond earthly words.❤❤❤❤😊. Thank you
RIP