Debutante
Wild Strawberries Lyrics


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Casey brought his own confetti
I loved him in the fall
He thought we had it made
I left him at the picture show
I loved him after all
Oh mister junior
I always miss the curtain call
If it's trust that you need
I can do the deed
Pick up your boots and stay
If it's love that you want
It's my favourite haunt
Three steps forward
Dance the debutante
Jacob used to call me Temple
For that was all he saw
He left his only cane
Seventeen hats from Italy
Are hanging on my wall
Oh mister junior
I guess that they're above it all
Some of them smile in sympathy
And some don't smile at all
Some kill the time with change
Yesterday his name was Threnody
Today his name is Fame




Oh mister junior
I reserve the right to rearrange

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Wild Strawberries's song Debutante tell the story of a woman who has been with different men, but none seem to fit her needs. The first verse introduces us to Casey, who brought his own confetti and was loved by the singer in the fall. He thought they had it made, but she left him at the picture show. However, she ended up loving him after all. The line "Oh mister junior, I always miss the curtain call" suggests that the singer tends to miss out on opportunities or relationships because of timing.


The second verse introduces another man named Jacob, who used to call her Temple because that was all he saw. He left his only cane, and now seventeen hats from Italy hang on the singer's wall. The lines "Oh mister junior, I guess that they're above it all" and "some of them smile in sympathy, and some don't smile at all" suggest that the women around her judge her for her relationships or lifestyle. Some of them are sympathetic, while others are judgmental.


The chorus of the song offers the singer's help to whoever needs it. If someone needs trust, she can do the deed. If someone wants love, it's her favorite haunt. She can dance the debutante, which could mean she's an expert in social situations or the debutante could represent a new relationship, something she's well versed in.


Overall, Debutante's lyrics are filled with symbolism, and the singer's relationships are a representation of her trying to find her place in society. She's offering her help and companionship, but she's also aware that people judge her. The song's message is that even though life may seem like a revolving door of relationships, there's always another opportunity around the corner, and you reserve the right to rearrange your life to suit your needs.


Line by Line Meaning

Casey brought his own confetti
Casey brought his own celebration, as he was enthusiastic and hopeful


I loved him in the fall
I loved him during the autumn of our relationship, when everything felt new and fresh


He thought we had it made
He believed that our relationship was doing well and that we were in a good place


I left him at the picture show
I left him at the movies, where we were supposed to be enjoying each other's company


I loved him after all
Despite what happened at the picture show, I still loved him in the end


Oh mister junior
A term of endearment, possibly directed towards a younger man


I always miss the curtain call
I consistently miss the moment of greatest excitement or opportunity


If it's trust that you need
If you require someone to confide in or rely on


I can do the deed
I can be the one to provide trust and stability for you


Pick up your boots and stay
Stay with me and make yourself comfortable


If it's love that you want
If you are searching for a deep emotional connection


It's my favourite haunt
I enjoy being in love and it is a familiar and comforting feeling for me


Three steps forward
Moving ahead, making progress


Dance the debutante
Embrace a new beginning, like a debutante's first ball


Jacob used to call me Temple
My previous partner Jacob had a nickname for me, as that was all he really knew of me


For that was all he saw
Jacob never made an effort to get to know the real me beyond my temple-like exterior


He left his only cane
Jacob left behind his only support and strength in our relationship


Seventeen hats from Italy
I have acquired many possessions from around the world


Are hanging on my wall
They are displayed proudly within my home


Oh mister junior
A term of endearment, possibly directed towards a younger man


I guess that they're above it all
I assume that some people feel that they're too good for my possessions


Some of them smile in sympathy
Some people pity me and my possessions


And some don't smile at all
Others are indifferent to my possessions and don't express any particular emotion about them


Some kill the time with change
Some people distract themselves with change or variety


Yesterday his name was Threnody
In the past, he was sorrowful or saddened, as indicated by his name Threnody


Today his name is Fame
Now, he is more concerned with recognition and success than with sadness


Oh mister junior
A term of endearment, possibly directed towards a younger man


I reserve the right to rearrange
I maintain the power to change my life and move forward in new directions




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: KEN HARRISON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Wild Strawberries

Yes! Sorry it's taken us a while to get our Youtube house in order...we hope to keep uploading new material from our monthly song release cycles.

Alex Fortuna

Roberta and Ken, is this really your channel?

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