Story Behind The Song
Having a daughter bring home the painful experiences from the playground, realizing that the women's movement hadn't reached the adolecent, and it needed to.
Song Description
Growing up and looking back at the heartache and cruelty of childlhood girlfriends, knowing the cycle of hurt should end with ourselves. Looking for forgiveness, and giving it as well, while teaching compassion to children.
| Song Length |
4:04 |
Genre |
Folk - Contemporary, Folk - General |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Sociable, Tranquil |
Subject |
Change, Philosophy |
| Similar Artists |
Rickie Lee Jones, Paul Simon |
Language |
English |
| Era |
1990 - 1999 |
| |
Lyrics
WHATEVER WE DID c. 1991 Sally Fingerett
I lie here homesick, though I lie at home,
awake with thoughts of sweet friends,
Women, grown and gone
Back when we were younger, we clung in a clique
And ran like schools of minnows.
Whatever we did, whatever we did, pretty girls dancing in the gym
Whatever we did, whatever we did,
we were spinning on the southside
Whatever we did, whatever we did,
braced against Chicago?s dirty wind
Whatever we did, whatever we did,
we were visions from the southside
That?s my neighborhood.
We could be cruel, we could be kind,
we?d be judgmental just to pass the time
Nobodies mama had an only child,
we?d lay the law through a lipstick smile
Loyal and faithful, two-faced and then,
We vowed to remember, I try to forgive?
Whatever we did, whatever we did, I?m looking back, I?m looking in
Whatever we did, whatever we did, we had secrets on the southside
Whatever we did, whatever we did, might cut you off,
might let you live
Whatever we did, whatever we did, I landed on the outside
That?s my neighborhood.
Hometown visits gonna drive you wild
Streets are frosted shiny blue
I tend to thing we turned out alright,
but I wonder what they?ve been through?I heard?
Some would do away with men,
some would leave home again and again.
Some would chase a dream or two,
find a lover and that?s all they do
But you keep a line along the way,
it all comes back to you again some day
Who stayed married, who?s got kids, there we go again?
I wonder how they?ve truly been.
Some would spend their nights at war,
some get hurt and go back for more
Some would find a cross to bear,
carry that burden everywhere
Me I struggle for peace of mind,
live by example, I try to be kind
I will raise a compassionate child,
lessons from the Southside,
That?s my neighborhood.