Ramona
Stampeders Lyrics
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Late at night on a closed piano lid
She circles past She fills your glass
But she don't recognise the song
And once in a life time she says
The waking life
Stitched together in your head
Well, what if it's only worth
And I don't need these arms anymore
I don't need this heart, now to love
I don't need this skin and bones
At all
There's a way you've always known her
Telephone between her cheek and her shoulder
And eyes like crystal balls
That just won't shutup
About the future of the future
Ramona was a waitress
All but made of information
In a bar under the third bridge
She says she's looking forward
To living forever
And I won't need these arms anymore
I won't need this heart, not alone
I won't need this skin and bones
At all
At all, at all, at all, at all, at all
Ramona was a waitress
The song “Ramona” by Stampeders is a beautiful piece that tells a story of a woman named Ramona in a bar under the third bridge. The song talks about various aspects of Ramona’s life, including her work, her conversations, and her dreams. The lyrics in the song also touch on themes of mortality, existence, and the value of one’s life.
The first stanza talks about the singer typing letters to the dead on a closed piano lid. This is a metaphor for the idea that people often communicate with the people they have lost in their lives, even though they are not there to hear the messages. The reference to the closed piano lid also signifies the silence between Ramona and the people she wants to talk to. The line “And once in a lifetime she says” talks about how the value of one’s existence is often questioned and how, in the end, it is only worth a collection of nerves, which is a reference to the human anatomy.
The chorus talks about how the singer, presumably the singer, does not need various physical attributes of the body such as arms, heart, skin, and bones, indicating a detachment from the physical reality of existence. The reference to Ramona’s crystal ball eyes and the future of the future add to the mood of uncertainty and lack of control over one’s life.
Line by Line Meaning
Typing letters to the dead
Writing messages to deceased loved ones on a closed piano lid late at night
Late at night on a closed piano lid
A time and place for intimate communication with lost loved ones
She circles past She fills your glass
The waitress serves alcohol as she walks around the bar
But she don't recognise the song
Ramona isn't familiar with the tune playing in the background
And once in a life time she says
Every now and then, Ramona utters significant statements that are worth noticing
The waking life
Reality as we experience it when we are awake
Stitched together in your head
Perceptions and thoughts are pieced together to form our sense of reality
Well, what if it's only worth
Questioning the value of reality as we know it
The bundle of nerves it's written on?
Asking if our perception of reality is just electrical impulses interpreted by our brain
And I don't need these arms anymore
The artist is willing to accept the end of their physical being
I don't need this heart, now to love
Love can be experienced beyond the physical organ of the heart
I don't need this skin and bones
The artist is ready to shed their physical body
At all
Completely, in its entirety
There's a way you've always known her
A familiarity and comfort that comes from knowing Ramona
Telephone between her cheek and her shoulder
A physical pose that is frequently attributed to Ramona
And eyes like crystal balls
Ramona's eyes hold a certain allure and intrigue
That just won't shutup
Ramona has a lot to say, and her opinions are forceful
About the future of the future
Predicting and discussing what's to come, both short-term and long-term
Ramona was a waitress
Introducing Ramona as a service industry worker and central figure of the song
All but made of information
Ramona is a wealth of knowledge and ideas
In a bar under the third bridge
Situated in a dingy or obscure location
She says she's looking forward
Ramona is optimistic about the future
To living forever
Ramona might believe in a form of immortality, whether it's literal or figurative
At all, at all, at all, at all, at all
Emphasizing complete release from the physical realm
Writer(s): Paul Dempsey Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing (Australia) Pty Lim
Contributed by Kaylee G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stevecummings5186
Had " Ramona " on a 45. Wore that sucker out. Would play it 20 times in a row and never tire of it. Fantastic beat. Stampeders ROCK!!!!
@scottlapointe1505
That's awesome!
@epike660
Seen them in concert few years ago my opinion one of the best band Canada has produced never got recognition they deserved
@CaminoCarpet
Bought the best of double album, Killer ! One song after the next was recognizable
@scottlapointe1505
Amazing band
@bcwoodsman876
I have not heard this song in too many years to admit to lol. Love it!
@geraldbizot5770
My home town band Calgary :)
@bobwirth9256
Wow talk about going back in time . Great song from the past cheers .
@krabbykenny7933
Now I've got the urge to go and see Ramona and get it all tonight
@briangray7273
I seen the Stampeders twice. Once as a young kid, they played the Western Fair in London. Then a second time many year later at Hamilton's Wingfest. I must say I enjoyed them more the second time.