Lady-O

Judee Sill

She wrote so poetically and hopefully about spiritual longing, that I can’t help but think about her life — which would make a great movie. The kind of movie I’d love to direct — the kind Hollywood refuses to finance. But no doubt there were probably a dozen spec scripts that tried to tell her story over the years — ultimately reams of paper destined for recycling bins. If her music never really sold, why would there be enough interest in her life story? A documentary called SOLDIER OF THE HEART: THE JUDEE SILL STORY was made in 2021 but it remains undistributed.

Judee spent most of her life in SoCal and grew up in a troubled home. As a minor she met an older man and they robbed convenient stores. He was arrested and she landed in reform school where she played the church organ.

After a Junior College stint, she joined a jazz group and started doing LSD. Soon she turned to sex work, check forgeries and other scams to pay for her growing heroin addiction — all of it eventually landing her in jail. When she got out, she committed herself to writing songs and composing music.

This is another profound song from her incredible debut. I love the melody and hopefulness — this prayer for Lady-O, whoever she is. I love those beautiful strings at 1:18 that tee up a perfect chorus. And somehow Henry Lewy hits the reverb just enough so it feels otherworldly yet still human.

Judee was recording her third record in ‘79 when she died of a drug overdose at just 35. 💔

While you sit and seek,
A crescent moon is laying at your feet
With hope that's made of sand,
You don't think you can,
But you have held it all in your hand,
Lady-O

I've been trying hard to keep from needing you
But from the start,
My heart just rolled and flowed
I've seen where it goes
And still somehow my love for you grows,
Lady-O

So on my heels I'll grow wings
Gonna ride silver strings
But I'll see you in my holiest dreams,
Lady-O

I've been trying hard to keep from needing you
But from the star,
My heart just rolled and flowed
I've seen where it goes
And still somehow my love for you grows,
Lady-O

So on my heels, I'll grow wings
Gonna ride silver strings
But I'll see you in my holiest dreams,
Lady-O