“Lady,” performed by Kenny Rogers and written by Lionel Richie, is a timeless romantic ballad that was released in 1980. The song is a heartfelt declaration of love and devotion, capturing the deep emotional connection between the singer and his beloved. It became one of Rogers’ biggest hits, topping the charts and showcasing his ability to cross over from country to pop music.
The lyrics express profound admiration and commitment, portraying the woman as the singer’s muse and the center of his world.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“Lady” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Lady
I’m your knight in shining armor
And I love you
You have made me what I am and I am yours
My love
There’s so many ways I want to say
I love you
Let me hold you in my arms forever more
In this opening verse, the singer addresses his beloved as “Lady,” a term of endearment that elevates her status. He portrays himself as her “knight in shining armor,” suggesting he is her protector and devoted lover. The singer acknowledges that her love has transformed him, making him who he is today.
He expresses a desire to continually affirm his love for her in many ways and wishes to hold her in his arms forever, emphasizing the depth and permanence of his feelings.
[Chorus]
You have gone
And made me such a fool
I’m so lost in your love
And oh
We belong together
Won’t you believe in my song
In the chorus, the singer admits that his love for her has made him vulnerable, describing himself as a “fool” who is deeply lost in her love. Despite this vulnerability, he believes they are meant to be together and pleads with her to trust in the sincerity of his song and his feelings.
[Verse 2]
Lady
For so many years I thought
I’d never find you
You have come into my life and made me whole
Forever
Let me wake to see you each
And every morning
Let me hear you whisper softly in my ear
In the second verse, the singer reflects on the long period he spent searching for his true love, believing he would never find her. Her arrival in his life has completed him, making him feel whole.
He expresses a desire for their love to last forever, yearning to wake up next to her every morning and to hear her whisper sweet nothings in his ear, symbolizing intimacy and closeness.
[Chorus]
In my eyes
I see no one else but you
There’s no other love like our love
And yes
Oh yes, I’ll always want you near me
I’ve waited for you for so long
The chorus reiterates the exclusivity of his love for her, stating that he sees no one else but her. He emphasizes the uniqueness of their love and his unwavering desire to have her close to him. The long wait for her love makes it even more precious to him.
[Verse 3]
Lady
Your love’s the only love I need
And beside me
Is where I want you to be
‘Cause my love
There’s something I want you to know
You’re the love of my life
You’re my lady
In the final verse, the singer declares that her love is the only love he needs. He expresses a strong desire for her to always be by his side. He wants her to know that she is the love of his life, reaffirming her importance and his deep affection by calling her “my lady.”
Deeper Meaning Behind “Lady”
“Lady” is a romantic and tender song that celebrates the transformative power of love and the joy of finding one’s soulmate. It conveys a man’s profound love and devotion to his partner, highlighting the deep emotional bond they share and his desire for a lifelong commitment.
Initially, Lionel Richie had a song titled “Baby,” which he pitched to Kenny Rogers. However, during a conversation, Rogers spoke about his admiration for his then-wife, Marianne Gordon, referring to her as a “real lady” with class and style. This inspired Richie to change the song’s title to “Lady” to better capture the essence of Rogers’ sentiments and the respect he had for his wife.
The use of “lady” aligns with the singer’s portrayal of himself as a “knight in shining armor,” suggesting a chivalrous and protective form of love.
In the lyrics, the singer expresses a desire to continually affirm his love in various ways and wishes to hold her forever, showing a deep and enduring commitment.
In short, the song’s message is about the lasting strength of love and the beauty of expressing it.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.