Who Do You Love
The Woolies Lyrics


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Walk 47 miles of barbed wire,
I use a cobra-snake for a necktie,
I got a brand new house on the roadside,
Made from rattlesnake hide,
I got a brand new chimney made on top,
Made out of a human skull,
Now come on take a walk with me, Arlene,
And tell me, who do you love?

Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

Tombstone hand and a graveyard mine,
Just 22 and I don't mind dying.

Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

I rode around the town, use a rattlesnake whip,
Take it easy Arlene, don't give me no lip,

Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

Night was dark, but the sky was blue,
Down the alley, the ice-wagon flew,
Heard a bump, and somebody screamed,
You should have heard just what I seen.

Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

Arlene took me by my hand,
And she said ooowee Bo, you know I understand.

Who do you love?
Who do you love?




Who do you love?
Who do you love?

Overall Meaning

The Woolies' song "Who Do You Love" is a classic blues-rock tune with a gritty, menacing tone. The song's protagonist is a dangerous and mysterious man, sporting a cobra-snake for a necktie and a house made from rattlesnake hide. He's not afraid to ride around town with a rattlesnake whip, and he's certainly not afraid to die at just 22 years old. Throughout the song, he asks Arlene, "Who do you love?" as if to remind her that he's the one she should be with, instead of anyone else.


The song's lyrics paint a picture of a rough and lawless world, where danger lurks around every corner. The singer is unapologetic about his ruthlessness, claiming that he's not afraid to die and that he'll do whatever it takes to protect what's his. The song's intense energy and uncompromising attitude make it a classic of the blues-rock genre, inspiring countless artists in the decades since its release.


Line by Line Meaning

Walk 47 miles of barbed wire,
I am willing to go through extreme hardship to ensure that no one else has access to what I want.


I use a cobra-snake for a necktie,
I am willing to use dangerous or unconventional methods to achieve my goals.


I got a brand new house on the roadside,
I have recently gained material possession, which I show off to gain status.


Made from rattlesnake hide,
My possessions are made from the skins of dangerous animals, reinforcing my dominant image.


I got a brand new chimney made on top,
My house has an additional feature that signifies my superiority.


Made out of a human skull,
This feature is so extreme that it is made out of a macabre item.


Now come on take a walk with me, Arlene,
I want Arlene to see and appreciate my possessions and status.


And tell me, who do you love?
I am confident in my status and possessions and want Arlene to choose me over others.


Tombstone hand and a graveyard mine,
I work in a risky or deadly profession.


Just 22 and I don't mind dying.
I am young and fearless, willing to do what it takes to succeed.


I rode around the town, use a rattlesnake whip,
I am not afraid to use violent methods to assert dominance in public spaces.


Take it easy Arlene, don't give me no lip,
I expect Arlene's docile compliance.


Night was dark, but the sky was blue,
The surroundings may be dangerous, but I feel confident and unafraid.


Down the alley, the ice-wagon flew,
There was danger lurking right around the corner.


Heard a bump, and somebody screamed,
There was a violent altercation.


You should have heard just what I seen.
I witnessed violent and explicit acts.


Arlene took me by my hand,
Despite the danger, Arlene still wants to be close to me.


And she said ooowee Bo, you know I understand.
Arlene is supportive of me, and understands my extreme methods and values.




Contributed by Grace A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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