Will the real Henry Lee please stand up?

Wow. Now that the song, If It’s Love, by Train, is all over the airwaves I’m starting to get emails asking, “Did you know there’s a Henry Lee mentioned in that song?”

Really? Really. Here are the lyrics:

But I’m afraid when I hear stories
About a husband and wife
There’s no happy endings
No Henry Lee
But you are the greatest thing about me

Do I think that stanza is referencing a certain Chinese American Henry Lee pining away for his lost love? Um, probably not—but hey, you never know, right?

Someone mentioned the serial killer, Henry Lee Lucas. (I hope that’s not the case). And another emailer mentioned 80s rocker Henry Lee Summer. (I don’t know why, but my money is on this one). While someone else mentioned Sir Henry Lee (1533 – 1611), of Ditchley, who was Master of the Ordnance under Queen Elizabeth I of England, to which I promptly went zzzzzzzzzzzzz…

Whatdayouthink?

Comments

[Derek]

Sounds like your Henry to me, Jamie. Train is on Twitter, right? Maybe we can get an answer?

[Sara H]

Ah, just act like it's your Henry. Own it! haha

[Johanna Moran]

Lyrics Domain offers a "Henry Lee" ringtone for your cell and this ditty:

Get down, get down, little Henry Lee
And stay all night with me
You won't find a girl in this damn world
That will compare with me
And the wind did howl and the wind did blow
La la la la la
La la la la lee

[CJ :)]

My money is on your Henry Lee. What's the harm in asking via Twitter? And if your book did inspire a song, try to score free tickets. They are going to be in Spokane in September. ;)

[Jill]

Since Train has several 80's references on their latest album, Even in this song, Train mentions "Winger" - an 80's rock band. I am guessing that it's Henry Lee Summer. In the video, "Wish I Had a Girl (Who Walks Like That)," Henry Lee does indeed end up with the girl - a happy ending.

[C.S.]

The song is about the success of love-if it's really love. Henry Lee Summmer was sucessfull in love at the end of girl that walks like that. Winger-Debra Winger and Richard Greer officer and a gentleman. Henry Lee was married while he toured and raised 4 kids i think. Gotta be him.

[Jamie]

Wow. I thought the Winger reference was about the band with Kip Winger...who knew?

[Bill]

The Henry Lee ringtone mentioned above comes from a Nick Cave song, covered by Bob Dylan. That song is based on the folk ballad "Young Hunting," which offers more detail about the story. In all versions, a young man refuses to "lay down" with his former lover because he has found a girl he loves much more. Jilted, she kills him and dumps his body down a well. Willing to die for true love? Could be the reference.

(http://www.bad-seed.org/~cave/lyrics/traditional.lyrics.html#Young)

[NotAnAlien]

Henry Lee Summer - 'I Wish I Had A Girl'
***IT'S DEFINATELY THE VIDEO***:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXbfC_bJxfQ

Which Kip Winger songs are in B-flat major?
What are the key signatures on "Seventeen",
"Headed for a Heartbreak", and "Miles Away", respectively?

Here's an American "Idol singer" video featuring Pat Monahan:
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/video/download/00014246/

Congrats to Train. "If It's Love" is as catchy as the Beatles
at their best. Whatever made you write like that, do that again!
You're causing the human race great happiness.

[Queen Bee]

There are many references to 80s references/bands/singers in Train's latest songs. In "Soul Sister," Madonna and Mr. Mister. In "If it's Love," Winger, Poison and Henry Lee (Summer). It is possible that "Queen Bee" is a reference to the Grand Funk Railroad song by the same name from 81. Who knows the idol singer could be Billy Idol. I think I need to stop listening to this song. :-)

[Charlie]

Entertain this idea for a second...

What if not just the husband and wife reference but the entire song is a reference to the book 'Presumed Dead' by acclaimed SF crime journalist Henry K. Lee. The fact that the song is upbeat only makes it better to understand the storyline. freaky stuff.