Cherokee Louise

I'm beginning to think Cherokee Louise murdered her foster dad - and that this is the inciting incident for the song. This helps us understand the police investigation, the distrustful neighbors- and especially the singer's desperation to find her best friend.

I've gotta correct myself on this puppy... In the second to last verse, I stated that "Archie and Silver Screen" were substituted in later versions. Nix that. I was confused... "Comics and magazines" was actually used in later versions and "Archie and Silver Screen" are the original lyrics.

What a heart-breaking song. Listen to the orchestral version of this song. The arrangement is beautiful and her voice will just melt you. Brilliant song-writing. What a sad song about child abuse and sexual abuse.

I get that this song is about sexual/child abuse, but is it possible that someone could run me through the meaning of all the lyrics. It seems pretty tough to me and I really wanna know what she means by it all.

This song is probably an account of someone Joni knew growing up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Broadway Bridge is a real bridge in this city. This is probably a literal remembrance of someone she knew who was suffering sexual abuse.

Yes, it is about one of Joni's childhood friends. I have a live version of this song where she introduces the story behind it, and says that "Cherokee Louise" in real life was a Crie Indian named Mary, so the song is really about "Crie Mary." Interesting.

I heard this song for the first time just last week. I was surprised to hear the references to the Broadway Bridge. I grew up in Saskatoon - and we used to play under that bridge all the time. It was dirty - there was garbage and graffiti and lots of dust. There are these big arches made out of concrete that you can walk up and down on - until you get out over the water... then it's blocked off. It is a very good place for kids to hide and explore... but rather dangerous now that I think about it - now that I am an adult.