Long Tall Woman

Song Meaning

The narrator's got a "long tall woman" who's a constant source of mental anguish. He’s so bothered, he’d rather be anywhere else, even a place as far-flung as California, than have his mind "worried out." This sets up a clear tension between his current domestic situation and a desire for escape. This domestic turmoil escalates with news from home. A letter arrives, with his woman begging him to return, mentioning their "little baby child" who has already left. The implication is that the child's departure is somehow tied to the woman's plea, adding a layer of parental responsibility and perhaps guilt to the narrator's already stressed state. The lyrics then pivot to a harsh assessment of "relation," stating it "don't mean you no good" unless you're properly situated like your neighbors. This feels like a bitter, almost cynical observation, possibly reflecting the narrator's own strained family ties or a general distrust of societal expectations and familial obligations when they don't align with personal well-being. Ultimately, the narrator circles back to California, describing it as a place where "everybody's slick." This isn't just about liking the state; it suggests a perceived ease and perhaps a superficiality that contrasts sharply with the deep-seated worries and obligations he feels back home. The desire for California represents a yearning for a simpler, less complicated existence, free from the mental burden his "long tall woman" imposes.