Hey Willy
Shannon and the Clams Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey Willy
Hey Willy, hey Willy
You've got yourself a girl
Hey Willy, hey Willy
Been lonely in this world
You know, you know
You've got to treat her fine
Hey Willy, hey Willy
And love her all the time

Just take your teenage arms and your frightened lips
Go discover what you can't resist
Well, don't you worry none, she's older than you
She will know your little brother eyes

Hey Willy, hey Willy
You've got yourself a girl
Hey Willy, hey Willy
Been lonely in this world
You got to, got to know
You better treat her fine
Hey Willy, hey Willy
You know that girl was mine

Well, don't you know 'bout us? Our secret love?
We both learned pain when we were young
Once upon a time, we were high and free
Then this old war come runnin' for me

Then the draft man come
I left and went on the run
I know that you were too young
To know why I went away

Hey Willy, hey Willy
You've got yourself a girl
Hey Willy, hey Willy
Been lonely in this world
You know, you know
My baby brother's grown
Hey Willy, hey Willy
Please make that girl your own




Hey Willy, hey Willy
Please love her like I would

Overall Meaning

The song "Hey Willy" by Shannon and The Clams is a heartfelt and nostalgic tune that explores the emotions of a person who wants their little brother to love and take care of the girl they used to be with. The song is built around the chorus "Hey Willy, hey Willy, you've got yourself a girl, been lonely in this world. You got to know, you better treat her fine, hey Willy, hey Willy, you know that girl was mine." The lyrics convey a sense of longing and protection, urging Willy to love and cherish the girl in the way that the singer would.


The verse "Just take your teenage arms and your frightened lips, go discover what you can't resist" reflects the idea that young love can be difficult and scary to navigate, but it's worth it to take the chance and explore those feelings. The line "don't you worry none, she's older than you, she will know your little brother eyes" suggests that the girl is more experienced and understanding of younger people's emotions.


The second verse delves deeper into the singer's past and reveals that they had a secret love with the girl. The line "we both learned pain when we were young" indicates that the relationship was difficult and perhaps ended in heartbreak. The final lines "please make that girl your own, please love her like I would" emphasize the singer's desire for their little brother to take care of the girl and love her like they would.


Overall, "Hey Willy" is a poignant and emotional song that explores themes of love, loss, and protection. The singer's urging of their little brother to love and cherish the girl they used to be with is a testament to the enduring power of love and the way it can shape and influence our lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey Willy
Addressing Willy


Hey Willy, hey Willy
Repeating the address


You've got yourself a girl
Congratulations on getting a girlfriend


Been lonely in this world
Previously feeling lonely


You know, you know
You should already know this


You've got to treat her fine
You should treat her with respect and kindness


Hey Willy, hey Willy
Repeating the address again


And love her all the time
Show love for her continuously


Just take your teenage arms and your frightened lips
Use your young and inexperienced limbs and lips


Go discover what you can't resist
Explore what attracts you


Well, don't you worry none, she's older than you
Don't worry because she's more experienced


She will know your little brother eyes
She will understand your innocence and naivety


You got to, got to know
You must understand


You better treat her fine
You should treat her well


You know that girl was mine
She used to be mine


Well, don't you know 'bout us? Our secret love?
Do you remember our secret relationship?


We both learned pain when we were young
We experienced hardship when we were young


Once upon a time, we were high and free
We used to feel euphoric and liberated


Then this old war come runnin' for me
Then I was drafted into the war


Then the draft man come
The draft official arrived


I left and went on the run
I left and went into hiding


I know that you were too young
I know you were still a child


To know why I went away
To understand why I had to leave


You know, you know
You should already know this


My baby brother's grown
My younger brother has grown up


Please make that girl your own
Please make her your girlfriend


Please love her like I would
Please love her with the same care and devotion as me




Contributed by Peyton E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions