She may be the face I can't forget
The trace of pleasure or regret
Maybe my treasure or the price I have to pay
She may be the song that summer sings
Maybe the children autumn brings
Maybe a hundred different things
Within the measure of a day

She may be the beauty or the beast
Maybe the famine or the feast
May turn each day into a Heaven or a Hell
She may be the mirror of my dreams
A smile reflected in a stream
She may not be what she may seem
Inside her shell

She, who always seems so happy in a crowd
Whose eyes can be so private and so proud
No one's allowed to see them when they cry
She maybe the love that cannot hope to last
May come to leap from shadows in the past
That I remember 'till the day I die

She maybe the reason I survive
The why and wherefore kind of life
The one I care for through the rough and ready years

Me, I'll take the laughter and your tears
And make them all my souvenirs
And when she goes I've got to be
The meaning of my life is
She, she
Oh, she



Lyrics submitted by BassGrl127, edited by Dorsetbear

Track duration: 03:06

"She" as written by Edward Joel Kowalczyk, Chad David Taylor, Patrick Dahlheimer, Chad Alan Gracey

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, EMI Music Publishing, T.R.O. INC., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

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She song meanings
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16 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:I think this song is about someone who has fallen in love with a woman who is somewhat mysterious and has a bit of a front - "inside her shell" "No-one's allowed to see them when they cry" and he is intrigued by her.

    The first few verses are him weighing up the pros and cons - she could be bad for him, leave him emotionally scarred, but she could also be the best thing in his life - There is no way for him to be sure and the front she has on makes it difficult for him to work her out. He realises there are emotional risks for him to become involved with her despite how special he thinks she is.

    The last verse I think shows his decision - He's decided that she could be the one , "The reason I survive" and the love of his life, and that she's worth the risk. He loves her despite the fact she has a front and he is willing to be there for her "laughter and tears" and make them his "souvenirs" (I.e. treasure every moment, even if it isn't happy) Very beautiful optimistic song and one I think many people could relate to.
    Flag CHMon July 29, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Technically speaking neither Charles Aznavour nor Elvis Costello wrote the lyrics, Herbert Kretzmer did. And the same for the song "Yesterday, when I was young" which Peralph mentioned, also written by Herbert Kretzmer, who is most famous for his work in writing the lyrics for the musical production Les Miserables.
    Flag angrypepperon June 11, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:every girl wants someone 2 sing this 2 her.. :)

    soooo sweet :)

    so unsure :)

    so in love :)


    love it.
    Flag Nevershotfirston April 23, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is self-explanatory... i just wish someone had written it for me haha
    Flag justlikeheaven05on December 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Yes, they are very good lyrics. The last stanza really lays you down softly for the ending.
    Flag Orange Morendoon June 16, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:beautiful, beautiful lyrics.how i'd love for someone to dedicate it to me.
    Flag imnotaloneon April 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This is the kind of song that takes your attention straight away, from the moment the piano starts.
    I first heard it on Notting Hill and loved it immediately. I think it fits really well in this film.
    The lyrics are nice as well. He says that she may be all the good things in life or all the bad, but that he loves her anyway.
    Flag Anne Marieon February 25, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:'she' is absolutely gorgeous! Far better than the more popular 'i want you' if you ask me.
    Flag blondton October 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Yes Indeed, Charles Aznavour was the original artist. One of the top 10 french singers that is for sure. THe thing is, he wanted to express his songs to a wider audience, so he translated some of his greatest hits into english with mixed results ("Hier encore" became "Yesterday, when I was young", La boheme was made in english). Not only did it'S french audience boohed him, but he had no success at all. So I think if I recall correctly that this was his only original english composition that really had any success whatsoever.

    And I like the Elvis Costello interpretation much better. It cannot touch Aznavour's usual french lyrics from his famous songs, but Aznavour clearly showed here that he could write beautiful english rhymes. In his original interpretation, Azvavour is very cold, he seems not at ease with the recording, it was really missed. He is not a great english singer, period.

    However, Elvis Costello made it good. I like his style. Sure it's not going to be a beautiful melody, but his unique style made the song a hit, and I like his. Anyway, Aznavour also recorded She, so you can listen to his version and compare if you feel like it.
    Flag Peralphon January 10, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:We are all aware that this is a Charles Aznavour song, yes?
    Flag chaordicon April 08, 2004   Link

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