TATTOO
Van Halen Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tattoo, tattoo

I got Elvis on my elbow
When I flex, Elvis talks
I got hula girls on the back of my leg
And she hulas when I walk

Screaching cherry red
Screamin' electric green
Purple mountain's majesty
Really talk to me Talk to me, babe

Swap meet Sally, tramp stamp Kat
Mousewife to momshell in the time it took to get that new tattoo
Tattoo, tattoo

(Tattoo, tattoo) Show me your dragon magic
(Tattoo, tattoo) So autobiographic

Best believe that needle won't hurt you
Best to see these true colors, than to follow one of your false virtues

Here's a secret to make you think
Why is the crazy stuff we never say, poetry in ink?
Speaking dayglow red
Explode-o pink, purple mountain's majesty
Show me you, I'll show you me

Swap meet Sally
Tramp stamp Kat
Mousewife to momshell in the time it took to get that new tattoo
Tattoo, tattoo

(Tattoo, tattoo) Sexy dragon magic
(Tattoo, tattoo) So very autobiographic
(Tattoo, tattoo) Got a hold on me
(Tattoo, tattoo) Put a spell on me

Uncle Danny, had a coal tattoo
He fought for the unions
Some of us still do
On my shoulder is the number
Of the chapter he was in
That number is forever
Like the struggle here to win

(Everybody!) Swap meet Sally
Tramp stamp Kat
Mousewife to momshell in the time it takes to get that new tattoo
Tattoo, tattoo

(Tattoo, tattoo) Sexy dragon magic
(Tattoo, tattoo) So very autobiographic
(Tattoo, tattoo) Got a hold on me
(Tattoo, tattoo) Put a spell on me
(Tattoo, tattoo) I'm in love with you




(Tattoo, tattoo) Show me me, show me you
(Tattoo, tattoo) Look at me, look at you (tattoo, tattoo)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Van Halen's song Tattoo are rife with imagery and symbolism, weaving together a narrative about the power of tattoos to tell stories, capture important moments in our lives, and express our unique identities. The song begins with the singer describing the ink on his body: a portrait of Elvis on his elbow that seems to come to life when he flexes, and hula girls on the back of his leg that dance when he walks. These vivid descriptions conjure up images of movement and rhythm, suggesting that tattoos can help us express parts of ourselves that might otherwise be hidden or suppressed.


The lyrics then shift to a more reflective tone, with the singer contemplating why tattoos hold such power over us, and why the stories we tell through ink can be so profound. The line "Why is the crazy stuff we never say, poetry in ink?" highlights the idea that tattoos can be a form of self-expression that goes beyond words or even actions. Through tattoos, we can communicate our most personal and meaningful experiences, beliefs, and emotions, and share them with the world in a way that is both permanent and timeless.


Line by Line Meaning

Tattoo, tattoo
The main theme of the song is 'tattoos.'


I got Elvis on my elbow
The singer has Elvis Presley tattooed on his elbow.


When I flex, Elvis talks
The tattoo of Elvis seems to become animated as the singer flexes his arm.


I got hula girls on the back of my leg
There are tattooed hula girls on the back of the singer's leg.


And she hulas when I walk
The hula girls seem to come alive and dance when the singer walks around.


Screaching cherry red
The color red is described as screeching.


Screamin' electric green
The color green is described as screaming


Purple mountain's majesty
A reference to the line in the patriotic song 'America the Beautiful.'


Really talk to me Talk to me, babe
The colors of the tattoo seem to speak to the singer in some way.


Swap meet Sally, tramp stamp Kat
The singer references two women who probably have interesting tattoos of their own.


Mousewife to momshell in the time it took to get that new tattoo
A reference to someone transforming from a conservative, conservative wife to a more interesting 'bombshell' type of woman, all in the time it takes to get a new tattoo.


Show me your dragon magic
The singer asks to see someone else's 'dragon magic' tattoo.


So autobiographic
The tattoos people get are often personal and tell a story about their individual lives.


Best believe that needle won't hurt you
Getting a tattoo might not be as painful as you would expect.


Best to see these true colors, than to follow one of your false virtues
It's better to embrace your true self (as represented by your tattoos) than to pretend to be someone you're not by following societal norms.


Here's a secret to make you think
The singer has a secret to share.


Why is the crazy stuff we never say, poetry in ink?
The things we might be too afraid to say out loud can be expressed through our tattoos.


Speaking dayglow red
The color red is described as 'speaking' once again.


Explode-o pink
The color pink is described as 'exploding.'


Show me you, I'll show you me
The singer wants to see someone else's tattoo as a way of establishing a connection.


Uncle Danny, had a coal tattoo
The singer references his uncle, who had a tattoo representing his time fighting for the unions.


He fought for the unions Some of us still do
The singer acknowledges that the fight for workers' rights is still ongoing.


On my shoulder is the number Of the chapter he was in
The singer also has a tattoo to honor Uncle Danny's legacy, featuring the number of the union chapter he belonged to.


That number is forever Like the struggle here to win
The cause that Uncle Danny fought for, and the tattoo representing it, will never fade or lose their meaning, just like the ongoing struggle for workers' rights.


(Everybody!) Swap meet Sally Tramp stamp Kat Mousewife to momshell in the time it takes to get that new tattoo
A final repetition of the theme of interesting tattoos on interesting people.


Tattoo, tattoo
Repeating the main theme of the song one last time.


Sexy dragon magic
Another reference to the cool tattoos people can have.


So very autobiographic
Another nod to how tattoos are usually personal and tell a story.


Got a hold on me
The singer feels deeply connected to tattoos, almost as though they have some sort of spell over him.


Put a spell on me
Another reference to the powerful impact tattoos seem to have on the singer.


I'm in love with you
It's unclear whether this line is directed at someone or some specific tattoo(s).


Show me me, show me you
The singer wants to use tattoos as a way of establishing authenticity with other people.


Look at me, look at you (tattoo, tattoo)
Final repetition of the theme of using tattoos to connect with others on a deeper level.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Wolfgang Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Edward Van Halen, David Lee Roth

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

John W

I can't believe this song (Tattoo) hasn't received more airplay, great song from one of the best bands ever.

Dary Matera

They wrote the original version in 1977 and never included it on their many mega selling albums until the retro one in 2012, so that's revealing.

Scott Cox

I thought the same thing.I love it

chris largent

I was so happy when this album was released just in time for my birthday in 2012 . If this was released in 85 it would have been a massive hit .

Colette Lavoie

I met David in 1983 .he was with some woman walking .this song was fantastic.they were an amazing band and Eddie was one of the best guitarists 🎸 rip Eddie 🙏 🕊 I've got a tattoo of van Halen on my arm a few months before he passed away.

BigBass13 13

I gotta say, I was so freakin happy when this came out. Missed Mike but Wolfie proved how much of a musical prodigy tgst he is in his own right. His mammoth album is an absolute banger.
A more clever song then given cred for.

THE GADFLY GANG

I was in a bad place and had just moved to LA to get away. In a gym there, 2012, and I hear this guitar and then this voice on the late night gym TV jukebox.. And the world was good again, even for 5 minutes

Wildcard Arts & Entertainment

​Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin VLADDY

Wildcard Arts & Entertainment

THE GADFLY GANG Keep it rock!!

Dablonz

Change My Mind: This the best song by rockers in the post prime ever

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