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Cruel Summer Lyrics

It's been a cruel summer
The sun has been hit by the storms
My darling was bewitched by another
Her black magic tricks stole his heart

I saw her screaming as she twirled her hair
So long and black like the storms
She caught my darling's eye and as quickly as the lightning
I muttered a lonesome goodbye

It's been a cruel summer
The kind that makes grown men turn pale
My darling was bewitched by another
I could not compete with black head

I saw her standing as she twirled her hair
So long and black like the storms
She caught my darling's eye and as quickly as the lightning
I muttered a lonesome goodbye

She caught my darling's eye and as quickly as the lightning
I muttered a lonesome goodbye
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6 Meanings

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Cover art for Cruel Summer lyrics by Karen Elson

I know this was about the storms in Nashville but omg I just realised... is this song talking about Jack and Alison???? Like maybe Jack and Alison have a thing?? :( I couldn't think who else 'my darling' could be, and the long black hair thing.. I suppose it could just be that he's off to tour or something with her but I have a nasty feeling about this? Maybe part of it is just fiction. One can only hope.

this was my first reaction when i saw a video of her playing it. its got to be about alison. if its not , id be surprised. when jack and alison are on stage its like they are making love with their instruments! i hope its just a stage thing though. karens so lovely.

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wow, also just realized another reference besides long dark hair. their band name is "THE Dead weather" . 'the sun has been hit by storms' --> dead weather on tour?

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ooh you might be right!

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Cover art for Cruel Summer lyrics by Karen Elson

This is how rumors start. People who love drama and celebrities too much read into things that are just art. Karen has stated that her music has nothing to do with her personal life.

Cover art for Cruel Summer lyrics by Karen Elson

No this is pretty obviously about Alison.

Cover art for Cruel Summer lyrics by Karen Elson

It was just an interpretation, I think anyone with half a brain cell can see I didn't mean that was definitely what it's about, it was just a thought. I'm not trying to start any rumours. Who knows how a relationship works from the inside unless they're in it? I didn't necessarily mean involvement in a romantic way. And it may not be personal. If it was, Karen wouldn't say so publically. She has 2 kids, I'm sure she wouldn't someday want them to find out that she wrote this song about their dad's possible involvement with another woman. Geez.

Cover art for Cruel Summer lyrics by Karen Elson

It's a song about a past love that was smitten by another girl. Just because she is currently married to Jack White does not make it about him. Many people write songs about past loves.

On another note, it is fun when people like VortexOfLanguage add to the mythos of songs though.

Cover art for Cruel Summer lyrics by Karen Elson

Well, with their divorce, it certainly seems possible that it's about Jack

yeah, i don't think this song is about alison specificly, but maybe just losing jack over time. i feel bad for their kids. its not easy when your rockstar parents go through divorces. i think her song Garden tells it all.:(

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