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.
Cherokee Louise is hiding in this tunnel
In the Broadway bridge
We're crawling on our knees
We've got flashlights and batteries
We've got cold cuts from the fridge
Last year, about this time
We used to climb up in the branches
Just to sway there in some breeze
Now the cops on the street
They want Cherokee Louise
People like to talk
Tongues are waggin' over fences
Waggin' over phones
Cherokee Louise
All their doors are locked
God, she can't even come to our house
But I know where she'll go
Cherokee Louise
To the place where you can stand
And press your hands like it was bubble bath
In dust piled high as me
Down under the street
My friend
Poor Cherokee Louise
Ever since we turned thirteen
It's like a minefield
Walking to the door
Going out you get the third degree
And comin' in you get the third world war
Tuesday after school
We put our pennies on the rails
And when the train went by
Cherokee Louise
We were jumpin' round like fools
Goin', "look no heads or tails"
Goin', "look my lucky prize"
Cherokee Louise
She runs home to her foster dad
He opens up a zipper
And he yanks her to her knees
Oh, please be here, please
My friend
Poor Cherokee Louise
Cherokee Louise is hiding in this tunnel
In the Broadway bridge
Cherokee Louise
We're crawling on our knees
I've got Archie and Silver Screen
I know where she is
Cherokee Louise
The place where you can stand
And press your hands like it was bubble bath
In dust piled high as me
Down under the street
My friend
Poor Cherokee Louise
Oh, Cherokee Louise
Cherokee Louise
(Cherokee Louise)
Cherokee Louise
Cherokee Louise
(Cherokee Louise)
Cherokee Louise
Cherokee Louise
(Cherokee Louise)
Cherokee Louise
Cherokee Louise
(Cherokee Louise)
Cherokee Louise
In the Broadway bridge
We're crawling on our knees
We've got flashlights and batteries
We've got cold cuts from the fridge
Last year, about this time
We used to climb up in the branches
Just to sway there in some breeze
Now the cops on the street
They want Cherokee Louise
People like to talk
Tongues are waggin' over fences
Waggin' over phones
Cherokee Louise
All their doors are locked
God, she can't even come to our house
But I know where she'll go
Cherokee Louise
To the place where you can stand
And press your hands like it was bubble bath
In dust piled high as me
Down under the street
My friend
Poor Cherokee Louise
Ever since we turned thirteen
It's like a minefield
Walking to the door
Going out you get the third degree
And comin' in you get the third world war
Tuesday after school
We put our pennies on the rails
And when the train went by
Cherokee Louise
We were jumpin' round like fools
Goin', "look no heads or tails"
Goin', "look my lucky prize"
Cherokee Louise
She runs home to her foster dad
He opens up a zipper
And he yanks her to her knees
Oh, please be here, please
My friend
Poor Cherokee Louise
Cherokee Louise is hiding in this tunnel
In the Broadway bridge
Cherokee Louise
We're crawling on our knees
I've got Archie and Silver Screen
I know where she is
Cherokee Louise
The place where you can stand
And press your hands like it was bubble bath
In dust piled high as me
Down under the street
My friend
Poor Cherokee Louise
Oh, Cherokee Louise
Cherokee Louise
(Cherokee Louise)
Cherokee Louise
Cherokee Louise
(Cherokee Louise)
Cherokee Louise
Cherokee Louise
(Cherokee Louise)
Cherokee Louise
Cherokee Louise
(Cherokee Louise)
Cherokee Louise
Lyrics submitted by threearmedman
Cherokee Louise Lyrics as written by Joni Mitchell
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.