She has a daughter, Lucy Wainwright Roche, by the singer Loudon Wainwright III (hence Lucy's half-siblings are Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright, also acclaimed singer-songwriters).
Born Yesterday
Suzzy Roche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
don't know nothin'
eyes open wide
seem to be on a funny farm
guess i'll go on the nanana
you got to roll roll roll roll
you got to roll roll roll roll roll
it's scrapin' slow
up to the top
i don't really like this
it don't seem right
it's on the top now
zooming down down down
looking around
won't nobody stop this thing
you got to roll...
some of the creatures laughing
with their hands up in the air
others over the edge getting sick
one or two sitting quiet
and mad
like they want their
money back
they wanna get off
but you can't do that...no
you can't do that
you got to roll...
in my cherry apple cheeks
and my cotton candy
mouth
and a stupid fuzzy hat
and a voice with which to shout
i got to roll. . .
till the cows come home
The lyrics in Suzzy Roche's song "Born Yesterday" depict a person who feels like they were just born yesterday and does not know anything about the world. The imagery in the lyrics conveys a sense of being lost or confused, as the person finds themselves on a "funny farm." Despite this feeling, they continue to "roll" on the "nanana," suggesting that they are trying to move forward even though they are unsure of where they are going.
The lyrics also describe a rollercoaster ride that the person is on, which starts off slow and gradually speeds up until it becomes terrifying. Some of the creatures on the ride are laughing and enjoying themselves, while others are getting sick and want to get off. However, the person on the ride cannot get off, as they are propelled onward against their will.
Overall, the song seems to be about the fear and uncertainty that can come with being a newcomer to the world, whether that be a literal newborn or someone who is experiencing a major change or transition in their life. The rollercoaster ride can be interpreted as a metaphor for this experience, as it is both thrilling and terrifying, and ultimately out of the person's control.
Line by Line Meaning
i was born yesterday
I am inexperienced and naive.
don't know nothin'
I lack knowledge and understanding.
eyes open wide
I am observant and curious.
seem to be on a funny farm
I feel like I am in a strange and unusual place.
guess i'll go on the nanana
I will continue on this journey, regardless of what is to come.
you got to roll roll roll roll
One must keep moving forward and persevering through difficult situations.
you got to roll roll roll roll roll
This idea is so important that it must be repeated.
on the nanana
Continuing on the journey, despite not knowing what lies ahead.
it's scrapin' slow
The journey is difficult and slow going.
up to the top
Reaching a high point in the journey's progression.
i don't really like this
The current situation is unpleasant or undesirable.
it don't seem right
Something is amiss or not quite as it should be.
it's on the top now
The journey has progressed to a peak or pinnacle.
zooming down down down
Rapidly descending or losing control of the situation.
looking around
Observing the situation and surroundings.
won't nobody stop this thing
No one can prevent the journey from progressing forward, whether it is wanted or not.
some of the creatures laughing
Others are finding humor in the situation.
with their hands up in the air
They are expressing their excitement or joy in what is happening.
others over the edge getting sick
Some are becoming physically or emotionally unwell.
one or two sitting quiet and mad
A few individuals are angry or upset, but not expressing it loudly.
like they want their money back
They feel like they were taken advantage of or misled about this journey and want compensation.
they wanna get off
They want to stop the journey and get out of the situation, but cannot.
but you can't do that...no
It is impossible to stop or reverse the journey once it has begun.
in my cherry apple cheeks
The artist's cheeks are red or rosy in color.
and my cotton candy mouth
The singer's mouth is sweet or pleasant, like cotton candy.
and a stupid fuzzy hat
The singer is wearing a silly or foolish hat.
and a voice with which to shout
The singer has the ability to speak loudly or passionately if needed.
i got to roll...
The artist must keep moving forward no matter what.
till the cows come home
Continuing on the journey for as long as it takes to reach the end, however long that may be.
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.