She shines like silver when the lights come on
And fills up the people when she sings her songs
When the night is over they never have enough
Of that diamond in the rough
She’s a diamond in the rough
Taking care of her family she works all day
Serving eggs and coffee at a dive by the bay
But she keeps her head on when things are getting tough
She’s a diamond in the rough
She’s a diamond in the rough
She always seems so gentle, never comes off mean
And her eyes they sparkle, like none I’ve ever seen
(Solo)
On the way home from the bus stop, she’s walking in the snow
And she notices a frozen man, no place to go
She wraps her coat around him, pulls down his cuff
Buys him some dinner, but he never gets enough
Of that diamond in the rough
She’s a diamond in the rough
She always seems so gentle, never comes off mean
And her eyes they sparkle, like none I’ve ever seen
She’s a diamond in the rough
She’s a diamond in the rough
She’s a diamond and I never get enough
Of that diamond in the rough
She’s a diamond in the rough
She’s a diamond in the rough
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Notes: She's A Diamond was recorded in my studio on Cedar St. in Idyllwild around 1990 with me playing a 12-string acoustic guitar in Open-D tuning and Bill Plummer accompanying me on stand-up bass. At that time Elaine Latimer added some high harmonies and I overdubbed a six-string acoustic. In 2008 I transferred the song from analog tape into my computer and added the rest of the harmonies, a tambourine, and remixed it.
The song was inspired by a couple of excellent lady singer/songwriters I have known who have worked as waitresses to support their craft. I think its beginnings date back to when I was in Hawaii in the mid 1970's and saw a lady named Ginger Johnson perform. I recall that she had a very powerful presence and a beautiful hippie gleam to her eyes.
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Acoustic Bass: Bill Plummer
Background Vocals: Elaine Latimer
Guitars, Tambourine, Vocals: Joey Latimer |