The term "meter-maid", largely unknown in the UK before the song's release, is American slang for a female traffic warden. According to some sources, "Lovely Rita" originates from when a female traffic warden named Meta Davies issued a parking ticket to McCartney outside Abbey Road Studios. Instead of becoming angry, he accepted it with good grace and expressed his feelings in song. When asked why he had called her "Rita", McCartney replied, "Well, she looked like a Rita to me".
Lovely Rita
The Beatles Lyrics
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(Lovely Rita, meter maid)
Lovely Rita, meter maid
Nothing can come between us
When it gets dark I tow your heart away
Standing by a parking meter
Filling in a ticket in her little white book
In a cap she looked much older
And the bag across her shoulder
Made her look a little like a military man
Lovely Rita, meter maid
May I inquire discreetly
When are you free to take some tea with me?
Rita
Took her out and tried to win her
Had a laugh and over dinner
Told her I would really like to see her again
Got the bill and Rita paid it
Took her home, I nearly made it
Sitting on the sofa with a sister or two
Oh, lovely Rita, meter maid
Where would I be without you
Give us a wink and make me think of you
(Lovely Rita, meter maid)
(Lovely Rita, meter maid)
(Lovely Rita, meter maid)
(Lovely Rita, meter maid)
The Beatles' song "Lovely Rita" depicts a meter maid named Rita, whom the singer encounters while standing by a parking meter. Despite her profession and appearance, the singer becomes instantly infatuated with her and tries to win her over. They go on a date where they share a laugh and a meal, and Rita even pays the bill. The singer almost succeeds in going home with her but ends up on her sofa with her sisters.
The song is a charming love story, but it also reveals societal norms around dating in the 1960s. The singer's interest in Rita is based solely on her appearance and their chance encounter. He seeks her out and pays her way on their date, but she ultimately ends up paying the bill herself. The singer also seems to have little regard for Rita's occupation as a meter maid, using it as a way to characterize her outfit and appearance.
Despite the questionable dynamics of the relationship, the song is carried by its infectious melody and playful lyrics. It stands as a prime example of The Beatles' genius for creating catchy pop songs that capture the spirit of their era.
Line by Line Meaning
Lovely Rita, meter maid
Expressing admiration for the beautiful and charming Rita, who works as a meter maid
Nothing can come between us
There is a special connection between the singer and Rita that cannot be broken
When it gets dark I tow your heart away
The singer's feelings for Rita are so intense that they consume her heart, especially at night
Standing by a parking meter
The singer is describing the moment they first saw Rita, while she was working and filling in a ticket
When I caught a glimpse of Rita
This line refers to the moment the singer first laid eyes on Rita, implying that it was love at first sight
Filling in a ticket in her little white book
Describing Rita's job as a meter maid and the book she uses to record information
In a cap she looked much older
Although Rita is still beautiful to the singer, the cap she wears on the job makes her appear older
And the bag across her shoulder
Describing the bag Rita carries while working
Made her look a little like a military man
Drawing a comparison between Rita's appearance and that of a soldier, highlighting her authoritative role as a meter maid
May I inquire discreetly
The singer is politely asking Rita if she would like to have tea, showing his interest in her
When are you free to take some tea with me?
An invitation from the singer to Rita to have tea together
Took her out and tried to win her
Describing the singer's attempt to win Rita's heart
Had a laugh and over dinner
The singer and Rita had a good time and laughed while having dinner
Told her I would really like to see her again
The singer expressed his desire to see Rita again and potentially pursue a relationship
Got the bill and Rita paid it
Highlighting the fact that Rita paid for dinner, perhaps showing her independence and equality
Took her home, I nearly made it
The singer almost made it to Rita's home, implying that something else happened instead
Sitting on the sofa with a sister or two
The singer is now sitting on a sofa with Rita's siblings, perhaps suggesting that the relationship didn't progress in the way he wanted
Where would I be without you
The singer is expressing how important Rita is to him and how he couldn't imagine life without her
Give us a wink and make me think of you
The singer is asking Rita to give him a sign of her interest and to make him think of her even more
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
A fabulous Beatles song.