‘Sentimental Lady’ is a song written by Bob Welch. It was originally recorded for Fleetwood Mac's 1972 album Bare Trees. A 1977 re-recording, the most well-known version of the song, was a solo hit for Welch when he recorded it for his first solo album, French Kiss, which was released in September 1977. The first single released from the album, ‘Sentimental Lady’ reached the top 10 in both the U.S. Pop and Adult Contemporary charts.
Bob Welch was a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for Fleetwood Mac from 1971 to 1974. After Welch replaced Peter Green in 1971, he had a major part in reshaping Fleetwood Mac’s sound to a sweeter, more pop-oriented approach. He wrote the song ‘Hypnotized,’ which appeared on the group’s 1973 album, ‘Mystery to Me,’ and was a key member of the band through five albums, including “Heroes Are Hard to Find” (1974).
‘Sentimental Lady’ was originally written by Welch at the former Gorham Hotel on 55th Street in New York City. The original 1972 version of the song as heard on Fleetwood Mac's Bare Trees album clocked in at 4 minutes 34 seconds, with background vocals by Christine McVie. It had two verses, with a reprise of the first following the instrumental bridge. The solo recording has a notable introduction with a multilayered guitar piece by Lindsey Buckingham. Welch told Songfacts.com: "The lyric was probably referencing my first wife Nancy." In the song, he personifies the love of his life as a "sentimental, gentle wind that is blowing through my life again."
Mick Fleetwood also played the drums for the song on Welch's 1977 album. The re-recording of it featured Christine McVie and Lindsey Buckingham as backing singers and producers (with Buckingham additionally doing the arrangement as well as serving on guitar), but unlike the original which had two verses, Welch's solo version only had one verse to cut it down to less than three minutes for the final radio cut. Cash Box described the song as being "a startling approach to balladry" with "smooth harmonies abound." Record World called it "a gentle, floating ballad" with "nice lyrics."
Label – Capitol
Songwriter – Bob Welch
Producers – Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]You are here and warm
But I could look away and you'd be gone
'Cause we live in a time
When meaning falls in splinters from our lives
And that's why I've traveled far
'Cause I come so together where you are
[Pre-Chorus]
And all of the things that I said that I wanted
Come rushin' by in my head when I'm with you
Fourteen joys and a will to be merry
All of the things that we say are very
[Chorus]
Sentimental gentle wind
Blowin' through my life again
Sentimental lady, gentle one
Sentimental gentle wind
Blowin' through my life again
Sentimental lady, gentle one
[Verse 2]
Now you are here today
But easily you might just go away
'Cause we live in a time
When paintings have no color, words don't rhyme
And that's why I've traveled far
'Cause I come so together where you are
[Pre-Chorus]
Yeah, and all of the things that I said that I wanted
Come rushin' by in my head when I'm with you
Fourteen joys and a will to be merry
All of the things that we say are very
[Chorus]
Sentimental gentle wind
Blowin' through my life again
Sentimental lady, gentle one
Sentimental gentle wind
Blowin' through my life again
Sentimental lady, gentle one
[Verse 3]
You are here and warm
But I could look away and you'd be gone
'Cause we live in a time
When meaning falls in splinters from our lives
And that's why I've traveled far
'Cause I come so together where you are
[Pre-Chorus]
Yes, and all of the things that I said that I wanted
Come rushin' by in my head when I'm with you
Fourteen joys and a will to be merry
All of the things that we say are very
[Chorus]
Sentimental gentle wind
Blowin' through my life again
Sentimental lady, gentle one
Sentimental gentle wind
Blowin' through my life again
Sentimental lady, gentle one
Sentimental gentle wind
Blowin' through my life again
Sentimental lady, gentle one
Sentimental gentle wind
Blowin' through my life again
Sentimental lady, gentle one