Clever Lovely Thing is a song about longing and intimacy outside of a normal relationship. The soundscape of underwater clicks and muted strings envelop the listener allowing the lyrics to communicate the warmth of a love bordering on obsession.
“First I thought about a creature that I love. I thought about what that love would look like from the standard of another creature who could not even begin to understand the intricacies and intelligence of that other. With nothing to offer, this declaration of love becomes a statement of desperation and a sense of nothing to lose.”
Penni Jo is an American singer-songwriter based in the Westerwald in Germany. Clever Lovely Thing is Penni Jo’s fifth self-produced single for 2022. Penni Jo was a candidate on The Voice of Germany in 2018 for Sat1 and a member of the jury on “All Together Now” also for Sat1. She was a touring actress and director for 27 years.
Music and Lyrics by Penni Jo. Performed, produced, mixed by Penni Jo. Mastered by Dr. Ritmo. Cover art by Julia Kadel.
Lyrics –
Hey bring your long legs over here
You’re the wildest thing
I’ve seen in forever
In a cloud you could disappear
So sleek, so clever
Do that trick with the bottle again
You’re fascinating
I just can’t stop watching you
So we meet at the bitter end
You’ve found me waiting
I can’t think of anything I’d rather do
Babe I’m your rock
I don’t need
Freedom to breathe
Cover me up
I will only
Be relieved
Clever lovely thing
Build your world on me
I saw the way he loved you
Because you were so colorful and agile
But now you need a hiding place
Cause your body made you fragile
I’ve rolled all the way down here
In the inky cold
Can I comfort your softer side?
And if you get swept away
Let me be so bold
Come back, come back,
I’ve no pride
Babe I’m your rock
I don’t need
Freedom to breathe
Cover me up
I will only
Be relieved
Clever lovely thing
Build your world on me
Be too smart for me
Confound me with your mystery
Solve the problems of the world
I will quietly agree
Surprise me with your life
Seal my mouth and crawl inside
Broken glass, bottle caps
I’m along for the ride
Scratch me up and grind me down
Find the sun, push me around
Spill your heart on my floor
I’m so happy to be found
When your children are born
When your limbs are wrecked and torn
Cover me face down
I’ll mourn, I’ll mourn
So clever, my clever lovely thing
So clever, clever lovely thing
Oh, my clever lovely thing
Build your world on me
Babe I’m your rock
I don’t need
Freedom to breathe
Cover me up
I will only
Be relieved
Clever lovely thing
Build your world on me