"...an artist of such raw talent, ambition and good will... Phillips' main attraction is still his voice. Reedy and flexible, with a remarkable falsetto, it is a potent dramatic instrument. " that's what Rolling Stone Magazine had to say about Shawn Phillips, a musician whose work literally fits into no category.
Shawn Phillips has almost twenty albums to his credit (of which millions have been sold) and a host of associations with some of the most respected names in the industry including Donovan, Paul Buckmaster, J Peter Robinson, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and many others, yet he is virtually forgotten except by his cadre of loyal fans. The Texas-born singer/songwriter was called "The best kept secret in the music business," by the late rock impresario Bill Graham.
Beginning in the 1960s, Phillips made noteworthy contributions to popular music. He performed at the "Isle of Wight" festival and was cast to play the lead in the original production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (he had to withdraw due to his heavy recording and touring schedule.)
Throughout the 60s Phillips worked the folk music scene in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury, New York's Greenwich Village, and London. In 1967 Phillips moved to Positano, Italy, where he remained throughout the 1970s, writing some of his most well known work. This period produced the albums 'Contribution', 'Second Contribution', 'Collaboration' and 'Faces".
Four of his albums "Faces," "Bright White," "Furthermore" and "Do You Wonder" made it into the Billboard Top 100. In addition, the singles, "Lost Horizon," "We" and "Woman" made Billboard's top 40. One of the most sought after Christmas songs is Phillips' 1970 45rpm release of "A Christmas Song" on A&M 1238. The track is now available on the re-issue of Faces.
His latest album, 'No Category' featuring his longtime collaborators Paul Buckmaster and Peter Robinson was released in 2002.
Today Shawn lives in Port Elizabeth, South Africa dividing his time between writing, touring, and his work as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighter.
Official Shawn Phillips website : www.shawnphillips.com
Shawn Phillips Merchandise can be purchased here: http://www.zazzle.com/shawnphillips_emh
Lovely Lady
Shawn Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lovely lady
Never shady
Running up the mountain side
Purple brocade
Woolen top coat
She cast away her useless pride
Her soul has grown
To bring about her peace of mind
In her hand
A lovely land
To help her look and search and find
Swirling forms of tantric art
Are filling out her schedule planned
And she's without a man
Woman blonde
Climbing on
To reach a level in her heart
It's the same
Without a name
You're doing fine with a running start
In the door
You'll work some more
You're finding where it's at for sure
Every other day
It will pay
You'll love to live and be the way
You feel the start of day
You'll be sad
It won't be bad
But you can get away from that
Crystal facet
Not an asset
You have your friend the jet black cat
He will follow
Crying hollow
Scratch his head and stroke his ear
He will bring you in your love now
Ever close and ever near
And you will feel no fear
I am glad
It's now a fad
But there are some who won't go on
Full expression
No suppression
But she is strong
The woman blond
Lovely lady
Never shady
Running o'er volcanic land
Make your curry
Never worry
It is settled in your plan
And you will find your man
The lyrics to Shawn Phillips's song "Lovely Lady" describe a woman who is independent, confident, and peaceful. She is depicted as climbing a mountain side, wearing a woolen top coat over a purple brocade, and having cast away her "useless pride." She is on her own but her soul has grown, and she holds a "lovely land" in her hand which helps her in her search for meaning and purpose. The woman is also interested in tantric art which is filling out her planned schedule. The song mentions that she is "without a man" but this seems unimportant to her as she is content and satisfied with her life.
The song encourages women to be strong and independent, to find their own path in life, and to focus on personal growth and self-discovery. The lyrics suggest that women should not be defined by their relationships with men, but rather by their own inner strength and resilience. The song also emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and following one's own path, rather than being swayed by external pressures or societal norms.
Overall, the lyrics of "Lovely Lady" promote a message of female empowerment and independence, encouraging women to embrace their unique qualities and strengths, and to pursue their passions and goals with confidence and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Lovely lady
The woman being described is beautiful.
Never shady
She is an honest and trustworthy person.
Running up the mountain side
She is making progress and moving towards her goals.
Purple brocade
Her clothing is rich and colorful.
Woolen top coat
She is dressed warmly and comfortably.
She cast away her useless pride
She has put aside her ego and arrogance.
On her own
She is independent and self-sufficient.
Her soul has grown
She has matured and developed as a person.
To bring about her peace of mind
Her inner contentment is a priority for her.
In her hand
She possesses something important.
A lovely land
She has a beautiful and valuable property.
To help her look and search and find
Her property aids her in her quest for something.
Swirling forms of tantric art
She is interested in a particular kind of art.
Are filling out her schedule planned
Her interest in art is a part of her routine.
And she's without a man
She is single and not in a romantic relationship.
Woman blonde
The woman being described has blonde hair.
Climbing on
She is determined to advance in some aspect of her life.
To reach a level in her heart
Her goal is to attain something emotionally meaningful to her.
It's the same
The experience of striving for something is similar regardless of what it is.
Without a name
Whatever she is striving for remains unidentified and vague.
You're doing fine with a running start
She is off to a good beginning in her pursuit.
In the door
She is making progress and moving forward.
You'll work some more
She must continue her efforts.
You're finding where it's at for sure
She is discovering what is truly important and valuable to her.
Every other day
She must do this consistently and regularly, not just occasionally.
It will pay
Her efforts will be rewarded in some form.
You'll love to live and be the way
She will be content and at peace with herself and her life.
You feel the start of day
She is hopeful about her future and starting a new phase of her life.
You'll be sad
There will be disappointments and losses along the way.
It won't be bad
Despite the hardships, she will be able to overcome them.
But you can get away from that
She has the power to move past difficult situations.
Crystal facet
She has an object in her possession.
Not an asset
The object she has is not actually valuable.
You have your friend the jet black cat
She has a companion by her side.
He will follow
The cat is loyal and devoted to her.
Crying hollow
The cat will meow with sadness if she is unhappy.
Scratch his head and stroke his ear
She shows physical affection to the cat.
He will bring you in your love now
The cat will help her find love.
Ever close and ever near
The cat is always by her side.
And you will feel no fear
With the cat with her, she is brave and unafraid.
I am glad
The artist is happy for the woman being described.
It's now a fad
This way of living is becoming more popular.
But there are some who won't go on
Not everyone will continue to pursue their dreams and goals.
Full expression
Living an authentic and genuine life.
No suppression
Not holding oneself back or hiding one's true feelings.
But she is strong
The woman being described has the strength to live an authentic life.
The woman blond
Referring to the woman being described once again.
Running o'er volcanic land
She is overcoming difficult obstacles.
Make your curry
Cooking a meal and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
Never worry
Don't stress about things that are not important.
It is settled in your plan
Taking time for oneself and relaxing is a part of her life plan.
And you will find your man
She will eventually find a romantic partner.
Contributed by Caroline W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.