In 1999, the song received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2000, it was listed as number 81 on VH1's list of The 100 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time. In 2004, "Gloria" was ranked #208 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song was rated number 69 on Dave Marsh's list in the 1989 book "The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made".
Gloria
Them Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know she comes around
Just 'bout five feet-four
A-from her head to the ground
You know she comes around here
At just about midnight
She make me feel so good, Lord
She make me feel alright
And her name is G
L
O
R
I
G-L-O-R-I-A (Gloria)
G-L-O-R-I-A (Gloria)
I'm gonna shout it all night (Gloria)
I'm gonna shout it every day (Gloria)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
She comes around here
Just about midnight
She make me feel so good, Lord
I want to say she make me feel alright
Comes walkin' down my street
Woah, she comes up to my house
She knock upon my door
And then she comes to my room
And she make me feel alright
G-L-O-R-I-A (Gloria)
G-L-O-R-I-A (Gloria)
I'm gonna shout it all night (Gloria)
I'm gonna shout it every day (Gloria)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
So good (Gloria)
Alright
Feels so good (Gloria)
Alright, yeah
The lyrics to Them's song "Gloria" express the singer's adoration for a woman named Gloria who regularly visits him at midnight. He lovingly describes her as being around five feet four and making him feel so good. The repetition of her name spelled out, "G-L-O-R-I-A," evokes a sense of excitement and celebration. The lyrics are simple, yet effective in capturing the power and allure of infatuation.
Upon closer inspection, the song may be interpreted as being more than just a love song. It has been said to represent the youthful rebellion of the 60s, a time of social and political upheaval. The song's raw energy and simplicity struck a chord with young people who felt restless and eager for change. The repeated chanting of Gloria's name became a rallying cry for those disillusioned with the status quo. The simplicity of the lyrics meant that anyone could sing along, regardless of class, race, or educational background.
What is interesting about "Gloria" is that it has become somewhat of a timeless classic. Its influence is evident in later songs such as "All Right Now" by Free, and "Hello Mary Lou," by Neil Diamond. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Jimi Hendrix, Patti Smith, and The Doors. It has also made appearances in films such as "The Outsiders" and "The Departed."
Line by Line Meaning
Like to tell you 'bout my baby
I want to talk about my girlfriend
You know she comes around
She visits me often
Just 'bout five feet-four
She's around 5'4'' in height
A-from her head to the ground
Her height is measured from her head to feet
You know she comes around here
She visits me at my place
At just about midnight
Usually, she comes around midnight
She make me feel so good, Lord
She makes me feel happy and satisfied
She make me feel alright
She makes me feel good
And her name is G L O R I A
Her name is Gloria spelled out letter by letter
G-L-O-R-I-A (Gloria)
Her name is Gloria
I'm gonna shout it all night (Gloria)
I'll keep shouting her name all night
I'm gonna shout it every day (Gloria)
I'll keep shouting her name every day
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
Comes walkin' down my street
She walks down my street
Woah, she comes up to my house
She comes up to my place
She knock upon my door
She knocks on my door
And then she comes to my room
She enters my room
And she make me feel alright
She makes me feel good
So good (Gloria)
She makes me feel really good
Alright
Expressing satisfaction and approval
Feels so good (Gloria)
She makes me feel really good
Alright, yeah
Expressing satisfaction and approval
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Royalty Network, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Van Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@koyotekola6916
I met Van Morrison and Them when they were on tour in 1964. Gloria was brand new, and they were getting very popular. I met them at the Ector County courthouse lawn, where I was a young kid spraying it for weeds. The lawn was lush and green - the pride of Odessa, Tx. They drove up in a Rolls Royce, which looked very strange to me, having only seen Chevy's and Ford's at the time.
They got out and walked to the sidewalk. I immediately saw them as hippies. I said "Oh my gosh, if the police see them, they're going to get arrested!"
Then one of them pulled out a camera and started to walk across the lawn. I immediately walked over there with my sprayer and told him to get off the lawn or he would be arrested! He complied and moved to the sidewalk. Then I asked them "You guys aren't from around here, are you?" One of them said "No, we're from Great Britain." I asked them what they were dong in town, and he said "We're going to play at a concert at the Ector County coliseum. Do you know where that is?" I couldn't believe it! Gloria was getting mucho air time on the radio, and I asked "Are you Them?" They said "Yes, are you going?" I told them I didn't have the money to attend concerts, and one of them signaled to the other to go to the car and get something. When he returned, he handed me 3 tickets and asked me if I would attend. I emphatically said "Yes I will!" He said they'd be looking for me, and they left.
So two of my friends and I attended the concert. We couldn't believe live music sounded so great! Then it was time for intermission. The lead signer jumped off the stage and came directly to me. He said he had seen me in the crowd and asked me if I was enjoying the concert. I emphatically said "You guys sound much better than the record on the radio!"
And that, folks, was when I met Van Morrison. Gloria was just getting play time and rapidly increasing in popularity.
@4MoreRoom
Thanks for sharing. That's a great story.
@fantastic59
Thanks for that great story!
@karenwoo9068
I love your story! And this is my favorite version of Gloria!
@user-pj2xe3fq2s
great story memories
@johnbennett3714
Back in the day when he wasn’t so crusty lolol. He’s still the Man though.
@Supreme___408
“What do ya wanna do?”
“Nothin legal man.. let’s get outta here”
@blangernstein4000
This song is over 50 years old and still kicks ass!!!!!
@TranthiDau
September 2020, it still kicks ass👍👍👍
@g.e.d.8053
THIS IS THE WORST CRAP I'VE HEARD IN MY LIFE. GOOD FOR FOLKS ON DRUGS. GIVE ME A HEADACHE. NO TUNE AND UGLY !