Their live performances, generally at smaller venues, showcase their use of three-part harmony and southern rock feel, and are admired for being intense, energetic, and soulful. The Avetts have been picking up steam opening for Dave Matthews Band and playing SXSW and Newport Folk Festival.
Pretty Girl From Locust
The Avett Brothers Lyrics
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or haven't, or can't, or will not again
Winter didn't die, she was murdered
and you are the culprit, I am the same
It's only right, it's only right
For you to fall in love with me
Give me a life, give me a life
Thirty days alone with the savior
an angel, a devil, rapture and smoke
And I'm careful, just not to say that I miss you
Cause sometimes, I guess I still miss myself
It's only right, it's only right
For you to fall, in love with me
Give me a life, give me a life
Give me tonight, it's only right
The Avett Brothers' song "Pretty Girl From Locust" is a hauntingly beautiful ballad about lost love and the struggle to move on. The lyrics are filled with longing and regret as the singer reflects on the past and contemplates his future.
In the first verse, the singer is careful not to dismiss his feelings or pretend that he doesn't care about the person he lost. He acknowledges that winter, which could represent love, hope or happiness, was not something that ended naturally or peacefully, but was instead "murdered". Here, the culprit is none other than the singer himself. This line suggests that something the singer did, or failed to do, was responsible for the end of the relationship.
In the second verse, the singer confesses to missing his former love but feels constrained from telling her because he acknowledges that he still misses himself. Here, he is hinting at the idea that he might not have been in the right place emotionally, or that he allowed the relationship to define him too much.
Throughout the song, the repetition of the line "it's only right" suggests a plea for the universe to correct an imbalance in his life or love, as well as his own self-worth.
Overall, the lyrics of "Pretty Girl From Locust" are a poignant reminder of how we can lose someone we love and how missing them can consume us. At the same time, the song is also about the courage to start anew, to take a leap into the unknown and hope that the future will be brighter than the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Careful, not to say that I don't care
I am cautious with my words, not to imply that I am indifferent towards you.
or haven't, or can't, or will not again
I have loved you before and can love you again, but I am uncertain of my emotions presently.
Winter didn't die, she was murdered
Winter, which symbolizes our love, didn't end naturally but was destroyed by our actions.
and you are the culprit, I am the same
We are both responsible for the destruction of our relationship.
It's only right, it's only right
It is proper and fitting.
For you to fall in love with me
It is acceptable for you to develop romantic feelings for me.
Give me a life, give me a life
Provide me with a sense of purpose and direction.
Give me tonight, it's only right
Spend this evening with me, as it feels appropriate.
Thirty days alone with the savior
I spent thirty days alone with myself.
an angel, a devil, rapture and smoke
I confronted my inner demons and angels, experienced highs and lows of emotion.
And I'm careful, just not to say that I miss you
I choose my words carefully, not to confess that I long for your presence.
Cause sometimes, I guess I still miss myself
I sometimes long to reconnect with who I used to be and the life I had before our relationship.
Contributed by Vivian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.