Raggedy Ann
Love's Design: Unraveling Al Jarreau's Raggedy Ann
Lyrics
Do you know that it was
Expressing awareness of a situation or fact.
By design
Suggesting that certain events or feelings were intentional.
How you told me, told me,
Recalling how information was communicated multiple times.
Told me
Emphasizing the repetition of being told something.
That you were free and
Stating that the person claimed to be free.
It was by design
Reiterating that the freedom was planned or deliberate.
How you wiggle, wiggle,
Describing a wiggling motion, possibly suggesting playfulness.
Start to wiggle
Highlighting the start of a wiggling action.
When you're just walking by me
Observing a reaction when the person walks by.
And it was by design
Reiterating that the observed behavior was intentional.
How you offered me just to walk
Describing an offer to accompany on a journey.
On down the road
Referring to a pathway or life journey.
I think that love,
Suggesting that love was carefully planned or orchestrated.
Love was by design
Repeating the idea that love was intentional.
Raggedy Ann
Introducing the character "Raggedy Ann."
And it was by design
Reaffirming that certain qualities were intentional.
Sunny fields and mansions just
Describing idyllic scenes behind the person's eyes.
Behind your eyes
Imagery of pleasant landscapes and luxurious residences.
Lady lace and velvet passion
Depicting elegance and intense emotion in the person's eyes.
Burning just behind your eyes
Highlighting passion or desire concealed behind the eyes.
It was by design how you
Stating that the conquest or influence was intentional.
Conquered me
Describing a conquering action in a relationship.
And on a fiery star we rose
Symbolic imagery of rising together on a fiery star.
I think that love, was your love,
Expressing the belief that love was intentionally designed.
By design
Associating the concept of love with the person's design.
Little Miss Raggedy Ann
Reintroducing the character "Raggedy Ann."
Would you, could you take me?
Pose a question about willingness or ability to be taken.
Let me fall by the wayside
Expressing a desire to be allowed to experience difficulties.
Take me in your arms
Asking to be embraced or comforted.
Girl, you got the way to
Complimenting the person's unique ability to evoke love.
Make me love you
Acknowledging the person's power to make the speaker love.
You got the way to make
Reiterating the impact the person has on the speaker's emotions.
Me care
Expressing a newfound level of caring influenced by the person.
Like I never cared before,
Describing an intense emotional response never felt before.
Got the way
Recognizing the person's unique influence on the speaker.
Take me, Ann, let me fall
Requesting Raggedy Ann to allow the speaker to fall in love.
Little Miss Raggedy Ann
Repeating the reference to "Raggedy Ann" and the desire to be a man.
I'll be your man, if I can
Expressing a willingness to be the person's romantic partner.
Oh, baby, I'm going to be
Conveying a commitment to be the person's man.
Your man
Affirming the speaker's intention to be Raggedy Ann's man.
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