Fascinating lady, snowflake in the sun
You make me feel so bourgeois
Oh, you've captured everyone
I hear you've been a dancer
At some famous Paris show
And million dollar lovers
Neatly saw you to your door

Nineteen fifty seven,
Sweetheart of the year
Secret of your beauty,
Was your moon tan and your fear
And now you run this city
You're still honey to the flies
Attract the in crowd dandies
Faraway-look in their eyes

You're the bright, nocturnal Vanilla Queen
Your mask is sterile dignity
Tell me why, nocturnal Vanilla Queen
You haunt me, even in my dreams
It couldn't be avoided
We were bound to meet
I knew you would drag me down
And toss me off my feet
Sweet moments of desire
Sweet moments of relief
You blew down my fences
You're natural make-believe

You're the bright, nocturnal Vanilla Queen
Your mask is sterile dignity
Tell me why, nocturnal Vanilla Queen
You haunt me, even in my dreams


Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings

Vanilla Queen Lyrics as written by George Kooymans Barry Hay

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Vanilla Queen song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    I always thought it was some sort of tribute to Marilyn Monroe

    DrBob806on June 09, 2019   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    Pretty Straightforward. The song's narrator meets a glamorous older woman and becomes infatuated with her.

    Somehow I always pictured some supernatural Vampire Queen when I listen to this song.

    Anarquistadoron May 05, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    From SongFacts:

    songfacts.com/facts/golden-earring/vanilla-queen

    ""Vanilla Queen" was inspired by a woman of about 40 whom lead vocalist Barry Hay saw on the club circuit. Hay was born in 1948; all the other band members were of the same or about the same age, and 40 seems positively ancient to a 20-something rock musician at the height of his powers! In a certain parlance, "vanilla" refers to the way people dress, in particular dressing down rather than up, i.e. everyday clothes."

    "Hay scribbled a couple of lines and was told by lead guitarist George Kooymans that the nascent song sounded like it was about Marilyn Monroe. It develops when the narrator meets the Vanilla Queen in a dream sequence, which is supplemented by samples of Monroe's voice from the musical There's No Business Like Show Business."

    xGmanon June 03, 2022   Link

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