I stopped the thought before its drip became insistent,
I rubbed it out and loved the spot where it were missing,
She's widely known the only maquereau that pays her taxes,
I got to box her for the money, said it might end up
Reeling and stumbling,
I've got to bump around awhile.

You don't use words like that.
St. Louise is listening.
You didn't use words like that.
St. Louise is listening.

You rang the Eskimo to meet you at the station.
Oh, he's like milk to you, half Swedish and half Asian.
And your aphasia strikes out a bargain with the barter yard.
I got to box you for the money, said it might end up
Reeling and stumbling, I've got to bump around awhile.

You don't use words like that.
St. Louise is listening.
You didn't use words like that.
St. Louise is listening.

Let me get up on it, let me up on it,
let me, let me, let me get up on it,
Let me get up on it.

Let me get up on it, let me up on it,
let me, let me, let me get up on it,
Let me get up on it.

I could be your baby doll,
I could be your doll, baby
I can be the thing you want,
I could do it all for you,
I could be your baby doll.
I could be your baby doll,
I could be your doll, baby
I could do it all for you.

You don't use words like that.
St. Louise is listening.
Uh huh, uh huh
You didn't use words like that.
St. Louise is listening.

Let me get up on it, let me up on it,
Let me get up on it, let me up on it,
Let me get up on it, let me up on it,
let me, let me,
Let me get up on it, let me up on it,
Let me get up on it, let me up on it,
let me, let me,
Let me get up on it, let me up on it.

Let me get up on it, let me up on it,
let me, let me.
Let me get up on it, let me up on it,
let me, let me.


Lyrics submitted by bizzichild

St. Louise Is Listening Lyrics as written by Michael Doughty Mark Degliantoni

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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St. Louise Is Listening song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    Its about Louise Brooks , a famous silent film star of the 1920's . Mike Doughty says she is his patron saint , and has a tattoo of her on his right arm . There are alot of references to her life in the song , but they are somewhat hard to recognize unless you are familar with her history .

    jaimeon August 15, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    maquereau = brothel-keeper, pimp yardie = member of jamaican organized crime

    jay314on September 09, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Was at a Mike Doughty show where someone asked what this song was about and he replied "One word-drugs."

    STon December 16, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I can't get enough of this song. It's got a great beat, and his voice is awesome! This even though I have no idea what the lyrics mean.

    FYI, maquereau means mackerel in French. Also, aphasia is a brain disorder that affects speech to varying degrees.

    toadtwson July 12, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Some time ago, a friend of mine and I (not knowing about the Louise Brooks connection) were speculating on what the song was about. I think the conclusion we eventually reached was that it was about a man who hired a prostitute but felt guilty about it later due to his Catholic upbringing.

    wisnijon June 29, 2006   Link

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