The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I knew a girl named Nikki
I guess you could say she was a sex fiend
I met her in a hotel lobby
Masturbating with a magazine
She said, "How'd you like to waste some time?"
And I could not resist when I saw little Nikki grind
She took me to her castle
And I just couldn't believe my eyes
She had so many devices
Everything that money could buy
She said, "Sign your name on the dotted line"
The lights went out
And Nikki started to grind
Uh, Nikki
The castle started spinning
Or maybe it was my brain
I can't tell you what she did to me
But my body will never be the same
Oh, her lovin' will kick your behind
Oh, she'll show you no mercy
But she'll sho'nuff, sho'nuff show you how to grind
Darlin' Nikki, oh
Woke up the next morning
Nikki wasn't there
I looked all over and all I found
Was a phone number on the stairs
It said, "Thank you for a funky time
Call me up whenever you want to grind"
Oh, Nikki, oh, oh
Oh, come back Nikki, come back
Your dirty little prince
Wanna grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind
Noos gnimoc, gnimoc, noos gnimoc si droL eht tahT
Wonk I esuac' enif m'I ?Uoy era woh, olleH
I guess you could say she was a sex fiend
I met her in a hotel lobby
Masturbating with a magazine
She said, "How'd you like to waste some time?"
And I could not resist when I saw little Nikki grind
She took me to her castle
And I just couldn't believe my eyes
She had so many devices
Everything that money could buy
She said, "Sign your name on the dotted line"
The lights went out
And Nikki started to grind
Uh, Nikki
The castle started spinning
Or maybe it was my brain
I can't tell you what she did to me
But my body will never be the same
Oh, her lovin' will kick your behind
Oh, she'll show you no mercy
But she'll sho'nuff, sho'nuff show you how to grind
Darlin' Nikki, oh
Woke up the next morning
Nikki wasn't there
I looked all over and all I found
Was a phone number on the stairs
It said, "Thank you for a funky time
Call me up whenever you want to grind"
Oh, Nikki, oh, oh
Oh, come back Nikki, come back
Your dirty little prince
Wanna grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind
Noos gnimoc, gnimoc, noos gnimoc si droL eht tahT
Wonk I esuac' enif m'I ?Uoy era woh, olleH
Lyrics submitted by OldSkoolPrinceFan
Darling Nikki Lyrics as written by Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
I think that this song is an intentional jab at the Moral Majority. I don't feel that this song is about having sex with a hooker. In truth, I believe that Nikki is the Devil. Old Nick is one of Satan's nicknames. The singer signs on the dotted line to seal the contract on his soul. What he is selling it for is unknown - maybe just an amazing sexual experience? However, "my body will never be the same," makes me think that he sells his soul for some physical change or attribute, and that the sex is either a bonus to the actual transformation, or else a a metaphor for the change.
The use of the word "castle" indicates one of royalty (Satan being the leader of hell), and to tempt people, there is everything that money could buy.
His head is spinning, not knowing what he's in store for - this is a hallmark of the individual that undergoes a transformation.
Her love will kick your behind - she'll show no mercy --- could be attributes of Satan.
The backmasking at the end? Certainly a wink at religious zealots who claim that rock is evil, and that Satan hides messages in backwards lyrics. In this case, Prince laughs at them by telling them what they already believe - that The Lord is coming soon.
The word grind makes me think, though. Rather than being a euphemism for sex, I wonder if the word GRIND is using the definition "WORK" -- The Devil works His magic.
Interestingly enough, and this is probably just a few irrelevant coincidences, but in 1985, there was a Broadway play that bombed called GRIND. First coincidence, the director was Hal Prince. Second coincidence, it was about an African-American, nineteen-thirties burlesque house. Third, it featured a character that is a stripper, named Satin (satan?).
Fantastic interpretation.
Ahh, the song that made steam come out of Tipper Gore's ears and led her to form the PMRC Police. If it weren't for Karenna Gore's love of our diminutive purple sex-obsessed funk God, we wouldn't be seeing that stupid black & white censor label on CDs that all the parents ignore anyway.
She's not a hooker. There's absolutely nothing in the song to suggest that she's a hooker, unless yall are assuming that women who have kinky sex must all be hookers. Which is a falsehood.
@goodmorningmisterben <br /> <br /> Well why is she in a hotel lobby when she has her own place?<br /> "Sign your name on the dotted line."
this song is hot.
Anyone heard the FooFighters cover to this song. It's pretty good.
I like the FooFighter's version!
@qtlin16 Yes... and prefer it to the Original!. RIP Prince.
"I met her in a hotel lobby Masturbating with a magazine "
I think Prince is the one masturbating with the magazine, seeing as how the subject isn't clarified.
Haha. I've heard this song a million times, but I like your interpretation.
i'm strangely addicted to this song.
@plasticskies
Growing up , everyone kept singing this song to me ... and no , not cause im like this girl or did anything she did in the song .. my name is nikkie
I love this song. So does my mom, but I don't think there's really any deep meaning in this... >.>
i love the foo fighters cover ..