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/
Bad lovers face to face in the morning
Shy apologies and polite regrets
Slow dances that left no warning of
Outraged glances and indiscreet yawning
Good manners and bad breath get you nowhere
Even presidents have newspaper lovers
Ministers go crawling under covers
She's no angel
He's no saint
They're all covered up with white washed grease paint
And you say
The teacher never told you anything but white lies
But you never see the lies
And you believe
Oh you know you have been captured
You feel so civilized
And you look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
The salty lips of the socialite sisters
With their continental fingers that have
Never seen working blisters
Oh I know they've got their problems
I wish I was one of them
They say daddy's coming home soon
With his sergeant stripes and his empire mug and spoon
No more fast buck
And when are they gonna learn their lesson
But when are they gonna stop all of these victory processions
And you say
The teacher never told you anything but white lies
But you never see the lies
And you believe
But you know you have been captured
You feel so civilized
And you look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
Look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
Look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
Look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
Look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
Look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
Shy apologies and polite regrets
Slow dances that left no warning of
Outraged glances and indiscreet yawning
Good manners and bad breath get you nowhere
Even presidents have newspaper lovers
Ministers go crawling under covers
She's no angel
He's no saint
They're all covered up with white washed grease paint
And you say
The teacher never told you anything but white lies
But you never see the lies
And you believe
Oh you know you have been captured
You feel so civilized
And you look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
The salty lips of the socialite sisters
With their continental fingers that have
Never seen working blisters
Oh I know they've got their problems
I wish I was one of them
They say daddy's coming home soon
With his sergeant stripes and his empire mug and spoon
No more fast buck
And when are they gonna learn their lesson
But when are they gonna stop all of these victory processions
And you say
The teacher never told you anything but white lies
But you never see the lies
And you believe
But you know you have been captured
You feel so civilized
And you look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
Look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
Look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
Look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
Look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
Look so pretty in your new lace sleeves
Lyrics submitted by planetearth
New Lace Sleeves Lyrics as written by Elvis Costello
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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One of my favorite Elvis songs, replete with typical EC double entendre: he wants to be one of the socialite sisters / he wants to be one of their problems; the 'white lies' the teacher tells are benevolent fibs / the 'white lies' are the lies that dominate history books written by white folks.
Check out "The Right Specticle" DVD. Great video of this song. This is one of my favorites. You hit this very well. He can't stand the "socialite sisters" but he lusts for them (or wants to be in their money circle) anyway.
I think that "I want to be one of them" refers to wanting to be one of the problems afflicting the socialite sisters.
Does he want to be a socialite sister or does he want to be a problem for the socialite sisters?
Amazing how he can string a few words together and create a full character in someone’s mind. I am often truly astounded and sometimes even feel breathless when I hear these songs.
The layers that you can pick through are the equal of great novels. There is so much going on.
I wonder if EC ever reads these comments with a rye chuckle at our fumbling guesses as to what is going on in his mind.
Elvis, if you’re reading this, thank you for the music. It’s been a constant companion for me since I was a teenager and has given me so much.
I would have made it through without your tunes but it wouldn’t have been as interesting.