Rainbow Sleeves
Tom Waits & Rickie Lee Jones Lyrics
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To places that you'd never been
On wings made of wishes
That you whispered to yourself
Back when every night the moon and you
Would sweep away to places
That you knew
Where you would never get the blues
Well now, whiskey gives you wings
To carry
Each one of your dreams
And the moon does not belong to you
But I believe
That your heart keeps young dreams
Well, I've been told
To keep from ever growing old
And a heart that has been broken
Will be stronger when it mends
Don't let the blues stop you singing
Darling, you've only got a broken wing
Hey, you just hang on to my rainbow
Hang on to my rainbow
Hang on to my rainbow sleeves
The song Rainbow Sleeves by Tom Waits and Rickie Lee Jones is a beautiful and touching ode to the power of dreams, hope, and human resilience. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and metaphors that convey the longing for a better life and the strength to overcome setbacks.
The opening lines of the song talk about the singer's past when they used to escape reality by dreaming of places they had never been to. These dreams were like wings made of wishes that carried them far away from their troubles. The imagery of the moon and the singer sweeping away to places that they knew where they would never get the blues is evocative of a simpler time when life was full of possibilities.
However, now the singer has turned to whiskey to escape reality, but their heart still holds onto young dreams. The lyrics suggest that having a broken heart can make one stronger as they mend. The refrain, "Don't let the blues stop you singing, darling, you've only got a broken wing, hey, you just hang on to my rainbow sleeves" is a powerful message of encouragement, reminding the listener that even though life can be tough, holding onto hope and relying on the support of others can help one overcome any obstacle.
Line by Line Meaning
You used to dream yourself away each night
In the past, you used to escape reality by imagining yourself in places you've never been
To places that you'd never been
These imaginary places were foreign to you
On wings made of wishes
You flew on wings powered solely by your desires
That you whispered to yourself
You kept your dreams a secret
Back when every night the moon and you
During this time in the past, you and the moon were close companions
Would sweep away to places
You both traveled to these imaginary locations
That you knew
Because you dreamed them up yourself
Where you would never get the blues
These places were free of any sadness or despair
Well now, whiskey gives you wings
As an adult, you use alcohol to escape reality
To carry each one of your dreams
These dreams are still present, but they are not as innocent as they once were
And the moon does not belong to you
You have lost your innocence and childlike wonder
But I believe that your heart keeps young dreams
Despite your loss of innocence, your heart still holds youthful aspirations
Well, I've been told to keep from ever growing old
Someone has advised you to hold onto your youthful spirit
And a heart that has been broken will be stronger when it mends
Your experiences have hardened you, but you will emerge stronger and wiser
Don't let the blues stop you singing
Despite any sadness or hardship, keep expressing yourself
Darling, you've only got a broken wing
Even though you are not perfect or whole, you should still hold onto hope and keep going
Hey, you just hang on to my rainbow
I will be a source of positivity and hope for you
Hang on to my rainbow
Hold onto the light and color in your life
Hang on to my rainbow sleeves
Find comfort in my own optimism and bright spirit
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, JALMA MUSIC
Written by: Tom Waits
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lambetd
This song turns deep sadness into deep beauty, like only Tom can. I think Rickie Lee totally connects with it and it also really suits her musical style. The collaboration is so perfect that it makes it tough to imagine anyone ever covering this song again -- it's like -- done. Thank God for Tom Waits. Thank God For Rickie Lee Jones.
@sharynbailey4235
Agreed. Rickie's deep connection to the song is precisely what pierces my heart and has me in tears nearly every time I hear it.
@grantodaniel7053
Thank you - you put my very thoughts into words, beautifully. A combination of artists that would never have occurred to me, and yet were made for one another. Crikey, where are the tissues... 😊
All the best from Oz. 👍👍🇦🇺
@trex1563
As the years go by, every now and again, a song stands apart and above everything else. This is one of those songs.
@niki1962
This song got and helped me stay clean and sober. Beautiful.
@kearl3490
Sometimes I think she is the patron saint of addicts; Oh how she gets it.
The beauty, the blues, the desire never filled, the soul ache that makes her music touch me like it's the first time I've heard it.
@ProfessorChomsky
One of the greatest songs I have ever had the pleasure of listening to, utterly, utterly magnificent, pure, beautiful poetry xx
@JoeLupariello
One of my favorite recordings EVER. so beautiful. breaks my heart.
@mark1952able
Two rough cut GEMS...........
@brendafraser9711
Group Home 1982 Through tears....this song made us feel like we had something to look forward to.