linda thompson, “paint and powder beauty”
from: fashionably late, 2002
Ms. Thompson has appeared in these pages upon more than one occasion. When I previously searched for this piece it was unavailable. But lo and behold it appeared and we are the luckier. It is lush and pendulous. A deep portrait that takes aim at the vagaries of physical beauty, its traditional trappings and fleeting whispiness. Robert Kirby, a classical music arranger who appeared on many records produced by the legendary record maven Joe Boyd was brought in for this composition. The results are stunning as these elegant instrumentalists support and ploy, undulate and question, casting an impressionistic aura. Linda’s voice captures a quiet desperation as only she can.
“Leaning in the doorway she looks like an angel .
Sending him love with a crimson smile.
You’re drowning in kisses and feeding on danger. Not forever its just for a while.
She’ll take you and hold you as long as you want to.
She seems like a woman, you’re all man.
She pulls at your sleeve as you tiptoe to meet her.
Your heart won’t see her again.
Cause she’s only a paint and powder beauty.
She’s only the queen of the masquerade ball
She’s only a paint and powder beauty
When the spell is broken she’s nothing at all.
The night is once thru and the dawn is just breaking.
With the new eyes of morning her beauty’s changed.
Her powder is cracked and her dull eyes are aching. Her lines show how much she has aged.
Her shoulders are fallen, her body is broken she’s only mascara, lipstick, rouge.
With all her devices she managed to trick you.
No devices, she’s nothing to you
But a paint and powder beauty
She’s only the queen of the masquerade ball
She’s only a paint and powder beauty
When the spell is broken she’s nothing
at all
She’s nothing at all.
”
