Strawberry Letter 23

Brothers Johnson

Hello my love, I heard a kiss from you
Red magic satin playing near, too
All through the morning rain I gaze, the sun doesn't shine
Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind

In the garden, I see
West purple shower bells and tea
Orange birds and river cousins
Dressed in green

Pretty music, I hear
So happy and loud
Blue flowers echo
From a cherry cloud

Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue
Playgrounds will laugh
If you try to ask
"Is it cool?" (is it cool)

If you arrive and don't see me
I'm going to be with my baby
I am free, flying in her arms
Over the sea

Stained window, yellow candy screen
See speakers of kite
With velvet roses diggin'
Freedom flight

A present from you
Strawberry letter twenty-two
The music plays
I sit in for a few

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

A present from you
Strawberry letter 22
The music plays
I sit in for a few

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh


Lyrics submitted by Nelly

Strawberry Letter 23 Lyrics as written by Shuggie Otis

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore, Unison Rights S.L., Songtrust Ave, Hipgnosis Songs Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Strawberry Letter 23 song meanings
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29 Comments

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  • +6
    General Comment

    This song is meant to be poetry. It's about young love, which we can almost all relate to. The lyrics are pure genius.

    This young man has received a love letter scented of strawberry. There are rose petals inside.

    It's raining outside, but he doesn't really care, he is imagining the perfect day. He is euphoric because of the letter: the present from his love. He is in his own world. He is flying high like a kite.

    He appreciates the beauty within nature: the beautiful clouds, the colors, the colorful birds and the frogs (orange birds and river cousins dressed in green).

    Finally the clouds break and he thinks about going out to be with his friends. Will they laugh at him for being in love? He is not "cool," but he doesn't care because he's in love. His friends will just laugh at him.

    In the end, he decides to just stay home listening to the music and looking out his stained window. His window is discolored and there's candy stuck to it. Yet, he is free in his mind and he can soar to any height he wants to go. He is free to be happy.

    Now he will hope for the next strawberry letter.

    You can't really interpret the lyrics just for the words. The lyrics are meant to evoke a feeling or mood. I just see a person who is feeling peace and happiness. He is in love.

    anchoragerockson January 30, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Written by guitar prodigy Shuggie Otis (real name: Johnny Otis Jr.) at the age of 17. Otis wrote this for his girlfriend, who liked to send him letters written on strawberry scented paper. The song describes the feelings evoked by "Strawberry Letter 22," the title indicating the hopes of another letter.

    hoosyadaddyon March 30, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I've always loved this song. Wouldn't it be neat to have a guy be so in love with you he'd write you a song that was both romantic and cool? But Suggie Otis had to be on drugs when he wrote it--it's just too phantasmagorical to explain any other way. Suggie's version is much sparer than The Brothers Johnson's, but IMO the brothers got the arrangement just right. Tevin Campbell's cover was never that big, which just goes to show you can't improve on perfection.

    law4on September 07, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I'm 21, and i never knew the lyrics until tonight. i like the way the lyrics are in this song. it doesn't follow a complete pattern its random. great lyrics really underated song

    yoshihillon April 11, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    ps please don't mention akon right here. thanks.

    gnatalieon June 18, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song always makes me feel happy. I think somebody dropped acid and came up with the lyrics. Great song that some people just can't appreciate. One of my favorites!!!

    gumby8on August 27, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I've always loved this song and the poetic lyrics. I love that it's inspired by strawberry scented love letters. How sweet. Great song to listen to while you're driving.

    cynthiaannerosson February 07, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    oh dude, i've been searching for this song for ages, ever since i heard it on a special k commercial! such a beautiful song, and the story behind it is really sweet.

    Adoraon December 27, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I've heard this song being called Strawberry Letter 23. Anybody know anything about it? 22 makes more sense, but you never know. Great song though

    Autobahnon December 08, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    on my Jackie Brown Soundtrack its called Strawberry Letter 23, I dunno...all I know is it is one sweet song....one of the best on that soundtrack

    aicguy22on June 19, 2006   Link

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