And you’re my baby
You’re just another girl.

Peter Yorn’s “Just Another” is about a casual relationship that Yorn is no longer into. It is hard to tell. The lyrics aren’t exactly tight, nor do they lend themselves to interpretation. I think Yorn is of the school of thought that if it sounds like a complete sentence and kind of conveys what I am going for, then perfect. Whereas, others might want to proofread their lyrics and try to convey their emotions through words as if they were poetry. To each his own, I guess.

The melody and simple instrumentation of “Just Another” are what makes this a great song. Also the line “you’re just another girl” is one of those anthem-y type lines that help to bring home a song. (Kind of like Just Like a Woman…except not near that level). The guitar is simple, but very effective. Finger-picking on an acoustic guitar usually sounds really good. Yorn has a couple guitars going at once during the song. The light strings are expected. What is not expected in the harmonica solo. It creates a dissonance of sorts that helps create the unique vibe of “Just Another”.

Just Another Lyrics

You and I we’re two of a kind
I hate to say it but you’ll never relate
What makes you tick
It makes me smile.
You said that I should get away from it all
And bury my head in the sand if I want to
I think you
Should thank me now.

You were lying wide awake in the garden
Trying to get over your stardom
And I could never see you depart us
And you’re my baby
You’re just another girl
Just another girl

I never mind the way I had to see ya
My working on a day show never explains
Why I see you
And I feel your pain.
I love to wear my work inside of my head
I can’t complain but you should never react
The way you did
I feel your time.

You were lying wide awake in the garden
Trying to get over your stardom
And I could never see you depart us
And you’re my baby
And you were lying wide awake in the garden
Trying to get over your stardom
And I could never see you depart us
And you’re my baby,
You’re just another girl
You’re just another girl
You’re just another girl

Songwriters: Peter J Yorn

Get out, get out of my life
And let me sleep at night.

“You Keep Me Hangin On” is another Motown classic from the Supremes. They really were a machine in the late 60s. This is a song about getting free from a relationship that might not be that healthy. The Supremes ask to “set me free, cause you keep hanging on”. It sounds like a compelling reason to not come around to me! It is a great breakup song that a lot of women and men can get enjoyment from. If is in that tradition of women empowerment songs that came out of Motown (e.g. Respect).

Diana Ross and her vocals sound accessible and the rest of The Supremes sound great singing backup. The harmonies sound nice. The band also delivers a tight sound driven by the drums and bass. There is that muted electric guitar sound that is so prevalent in Motown sound and would also be featured in disco 10 years later.

You Keep Me Hanging On Lyrics

The love bug done bit me
Didn’t mean for him to get me
Woo, get up in the morning
And I’m filled with desire
No, no, I can’t stop the fire
Love is real live wire
Oh, it’s a burning sensation
Far beyond imagination

Love is like an itching in my heart, tearing it all apart
Just an itching in my heart
And, baby, I can’t scratch it

Keeps me sighing, oh
Keeps me yearning
No mama can’t help me
No daddy can’t help me
I’ve been bitten by the love bug
And I need some information
To help me out of this situation
Now, when you’re ill you take a pill
When you’re thirsty, drink your fill
What you gonna do, oh yeah
When love gets a hold, a hold on you
Love is like an itching in my heart
And, baby, I can’t scratch it

Love is a nagging irritation
Causing my heart complication
Love is a growing infection
And I don’t know the correction
Got me rocking and a-reeling
And I can’t shake the feeling

Love is like an itching in my heart, tearing it all apart
Just an itching in my heart
Baby, I can’t scratch it

Keeps me sighing, oo
Keeps me yearning
Keeps me burning
Keeps me tossing
Keeps me turning
Keeps me yearning
I’ve been bitten by the love bug
And I need some information
To help me out of this situation
Love is a nagging irritation
Causing my heart complication
I’ve been bitten by the love bug

Songwriters: Jr. / Brian Holland / Edward Holland / Edward / Jr. Holland / Lamont Dozier / Lamont Herbert Dozi

Sometimes I think you want me to touch you/
How can I when you build a great wall around you.

“China” is about how we build up barriers between ourselves and our loved ones. Tori Amos uses figurative language to describe the distance between her and her lover: even though she’s right next to him and can feel him breathing it feels like he’s in China while she’s in New York.

Amos also uses “China”–as in, expensive porcelain dinnerware. Usually our China is set aside, and never used except in special occasions. Amos asks her lover to pour a glass of wine in the expensive China. In other words, “put some effort into this relationship” you who builds a great wall around yourself. She also notes how it is interesting that her China seems to hide its cracks so well–just like her relationship looks good on the outside but is flailing. It is a good extended metaphor.

Amos is extremely prolific, has a beautiful voice and is the best piano player in rocknroll. The only one comparable is Nina Simone, though Nina isn’t really rock. Amos is also the best cover artist in rocknroll too. Just as Jimi Hendrix took All Along the Watchtower from Dylan and made it something better, Amos has done the same with many songs on this list. I feel there are two songs in the top 100 that she may have produced the definitive version of. Many will feel this is sacrilegious!

China is an original that shows she is truly one of the best songwriters too. It is melodic and poignant and well written. Her voice conveys the emotion of the song, and this is one of the aspects that truly elevates a song. She sounds tired, exacerbated but hopeful; and she communicates that all through the tone of her voice.

China Lyrics

China all the way to New York
I can feel the distance getting close
You’re right next to me
But I need an airplane
I can feel the distance as you breathe

Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build a great wall around you
In your eyes I saw a future together
You just look away in the distance

China decorates our table
Funny how the cracks don’t seem to show
Pour the wine dear
You say we’ll take a holiday
But we never can agree on where to go

Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build a great wall around you
In your eyes I saw a future together
You just look away in the distance

China all the way to New York
Maybe you got lost in Mexico
You’re right next to me
I think that you can hear me
Funny how the distance learns to grow

Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build a great wall around you
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance
I can feel the distance getting close

Songwriters: Tori Ellen Amos