Hey Little Rich Girl
The Specials Lyrics
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You wore it to the disco, but everyone was in jeans
But you were a rich girl, and only having fun
Your low cut dresses, brought stares from everyone
Hey, little rich girl where did you go wrong?
You left for London, when you were nineteen
A man in the bright lights took all that you own
Now he's taken your freedom for a fate unknown
But you were a rich girl, hardly having fun
Your worn out dresses, brought stares from everyone
Hey, little rich girl where did you go wrong?
Hey, little rich girl you've been away for so long
And now little rich girl, my words are in this song
Hey, little rich girl my love for you is gone
And now little rich girl, I know where you went wrong
At your dad's office party all the movies were blue
Caused him so much heart ache, because the screen star was you
You left for London, when you were nineteen
Had to pull off your nice clothes, but you were living on dreams
You were a rich girl, and only having fun
But your worn out dresses, brought stares from everyone
Hey, little rich girl where did you go wrong?
Hey, little rich girl where did you go wrong?
Hey, little rich girl where did you go wrong?
The Specials' "Hey Little Rich Girl" tells the story of a privileged girl who, despite being given everything she could ask for, has lost her way. The song begins with a reference to a fur coat that her mother purchased for her when she was fifteen. She wears it to the disco, but she is the only one dressed up, and everyone else is in jeans. The lyrics suggest that this is where her troubles may have begun, as she was not prepared to fit in with normal people.
The chorus of the song, "Hey, little rich girl where did you go wrong?" suggests that the singer is both intrigued and saddened by the girl's situation. The girl moves to London at nineteen but finds herself struggling. In her newfound independence, she has to sell her clothes to survive, and eventually, she is taken advantage of by a man who leaves her with nothing. Her life spirals out of control as she was living on dreams that helped her cope with harsh reality.
The song takes an unexpected turn when it is revealed that the girl's father has seen her in blue movies, causing him heartache. The song implies that her dream of becoming a famous actress may have led her down a path she didn't expect, further causing internal conflicts for her father. The lyrics suggest that the girl's problems stem from her failure to understand the value of her privileged life.
Line by Line Meaning
Mum bought you a fur coat when you were fifteen
Your mother bought you an expensive fur coat when you were only 15 years old.
You wore it to the disco, but everyone was in jeans
You wore the fur coat to a disco, but everyone else was dressed casually in jeans.
But you were a rich girl, and only having fun
You were a wealthy girl who was just enjoying herself and having a good time.
Your low cut dresses, brought stares from everyone
Your revealing dresses attracted the attention of everyone who saw you.
Hey, little rich girl where did you go wrong?
Why did things go bad for you, rich girl?
You left for London, when you were nineteen
You moved to London at the age of nineteen.
Had to pull off your nice clothes, just living on dreams
You had to abandon your fancy clothes and start living on your dreams.
A man in the bright lights took all that you own
A man who was a part of the entertainment industry took away everything that you had.
Now he's taken your freedom for a fate unknown
That man has stolen your freedom and you don't know what will happen to you.
Your worn out dresses, brought stares from everyone
Your tattered and worn dresses attracted the attention of everyone who saw you.
Hey, little rich girl where did you go wrong?
Why did things go bad for you, rich girl?
Hey, little rich girl you've been away for so long
You have been away from everyone for so long, rich girl.
And now little rich girl, my words are in this song
My words about you are in this song, rich girl.
Hey, little rich girl my love for you is gone
My love for you, rich girl, has disappeared.
And now little rich girl, I know where you went wrong
Now, rich girl, I know where you made your mistakes.
At your dad's office party all the movies were blue
At a party for your father's company, the movies that were screened were inappropriate.
Caused him so much heart ache, because the screen star was you
This caused your father a lot of pain because the film's star was you.
Hey, little rich girl where did you go wrong?
Why did things go bad for you, rich girl?
Hey, little rich girl where did you go wrong?
Why did things go bad for you, rich girl?
Hey, little rich girl where did you go wrong?
Why did things go bad for you, rich girl?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROD BYERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thespecials
More music from The Specials: https://TheSpecials.lnk.to/Listen
@victorquintana2095
Rest in peace Terry! We love you and will miss you!
@saxophone.4513
RIP Terry. Loved this when Amy sang it live with them.
@williamfitzgerald1382
RIP Terry Hall. One of their best numbers.
@douglassmith4609
R.I.P. TERRY HALL
@victorquintana2095
Legend
@linuxandretrogamingfan3882
This song is supremely under appreciated. One of the best songs ever made in my opinion and definitely my favorite specials track. Too Much Too Young, also, is a reviled but indubitable classic.
@mrssheets710
I can't belive I found this song only yesterday. Just amazing!
@gabrielecw03
The Amy Winehouse version i greater, check out it
@AntonyStrus
I love this album, and it's breaking my heart that Terry Hall has passed. RIP. X