Sister Golden Hair is just a great song. The melody gently eases into your brain while the relaxed tempo sets you up for the surprise, and next thing you know, “BAM” you’ve been knocked on your ass.
Surprisingly enough, this song was somewhat controversial when it was first released. From wikipedia
The song is about a man trying to get up the courage to take his girlfriend to the altar to marry, however he is plagued by self-doubts. He pleads for her understanding and re-affirms his love and affection for her, but he says he is not yet ready for the altar. She is only identified as “Sister Golden Hair.” He asks her to meet him half-way, which is taken to be a proposal that they live together.
The song, while immensely popular, was criticized in conservative circles as a plea for common law marriage and living in sin. This may also have been why the song was so popular with the younger generation
However, there’s a difference in opinion about the song’s meaning from SongFacts
Guitarist Gerry Beckley wrote this. When asked if it was written to anyone, Beckley said: “No, this is all poetic license. With ‘Sister Golden Hair,’ as far as my folks were concerned, I was writing a song about my sister, and I couldn’t quite fathom it; they must not have listened to the lyrics.” (thanks, Brett - Edmonton, Canada)
Another interpretation, from SongMeanings
Based on what I heard on the radio from a DJ.
Sister Golden Hair is a nun who has just a tiny whisp of her hair showing from underneath her hat (hence the golden hair is a -surprise-) and the character in the song is latching on to little things like this to nurse an unhealthy love affair for a nun…
Sounds good at least.
I don’t have chapter and verse on this, so make what you will out of the various interpretations.
Here’s a link to a tribute video
And of course, the lyrics:
Well I tried to make it Sunday, but I got so damn depressed
That I set my sights on Monday and I got myself undressed
I ain’t ready for the altar but I do agree there’s times
When a woman sure can be a friend of mine
Well, I keep on thinkin’ ’bout you, sister golden hair surprise
And I just can’t live without you; can’t you see it in my eyes?
I been one poor correspondent, and I been too, too hard to find
But it doesn’t mean you ain’t been on my mind
Will you meet me in the middle, will you meet me in the air?
Will you love me just a little, just enough to show you care?
Well I tried to fake it, I don’t mind sayin’, I just can’t make it
Well, I keep on thinkin’ ’bout you, sister golden hair surprise
And I just can’t live without you; can’t you see it in my eyes?
Now I been one poor correspondent, and I been too, too hard to find
But it doesn’t mean you ain’t been on my mind
Will you meet me in the middle, will you meet me in the air?
Will you love me just a little, just enough to show you care?
Well I tried to fake it, I don’t mind sayin’, I just can’t make it
Doo wop doo wop …
September 10th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Great song. Is it just me or did Gerry Beckley deliberately try to recreate George Harrison’s slide guitar tone in the song’s opening bars?
September 11th, 2008 at 5:53 am
It’s entirely possible. I can’t say for sure, but the comparison is definitely out there.