About the song
Nanci Griffith’s song “Love at the Five and Dime” is a poignant and beautifully crafted piece of country-folk music that has resonated with listeners since its release in 1986. This song, a highlight from her album The Last of the True Believers, showcases Griffith’s exceptional storytelling ability and her deep connection to the themes of love and nostalgia.
“Love at the Five and Dime” paints a vivid picture of a young couple whose love story unfolds against the backdrop of a small-town setting. The song’s narrative centers on two characters who meet and fall in love at a local five-and-dime store, a common gathering place in many American towns. The song’s lyrics reflect the simplicity and purity of their romance, capturing the essence of young love and the passage of time.
Nanci Griffith’s performance is both heartfelt and evocative, with her clear, expressive voice bringing the story to life. The gentle melody and folk-inspired arrangement perfectly complement the song’s reflective tone. Griffith’s ability to weave a compelling narrative into her music makes “Love at the Five and Dime” a memorable and touching experience.
For those who appreciate the blend of country and folk music, this song offers a beautiful example of how personal stories can be conveyed through song. Nanci Griffith’s “Love at the Five and Dime” remains a beloved classic, offering listeners a heartfelt look at love and life in a small-town setting. Whether you are revisiting this song or discovering it for the first time, it provides a nostalgic and emotionally resonant experience that highlights Griffith’s talent as a storyteller and musician.
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Lyrics
Rita was sixteen years, hazel eyes and chestnut hair
She made the Woolworth counter shine
And Eddie was a sweet romancer, and a darn good dancer
And they’d waltz the aisles of the five and dime
And they’d sing
Dance a little closer to me, dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonight
Dance a little closer to me, ’cause it’s closing time
And love’s on sale tonight at this five and dime
Eddie played the steel guitar
And his mama cried ’cause he played in the bars
And kept young Rita out late at night
So they married up in Abilene, lost a child in Tennessee
Still that love survived
‘Cause they’d sing
Dance a little closer to me, dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonight
Dance a little closer to me, ’cause it’s closing time
And love’s on sale tonight at this five and dime
One of the boys in Eddie’s band took a shine to Rita’s hands
So Eddie ran off with the bass man’s wife
Oh, but he was back by June, singin’ a different tune
And sportin’ miss Rita back by his side
And he sang
Dance a little closer to me, dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonight
Dance a little closer to me, ’cause it’s closing time
And love’s on sale tonight at this five and dime
Eddie traveled with the barroom bands
‘Til arthritis took his hands
Now he sells insurance on the side
Rita’s got a house to keep
Dimestore novels and a love so sweet
They dance to the radio late at night
And they sing
Dance a little closer to me, dance a little closer now
Dance a little closer tonight
Dance a little closer to me, ’cause it’s closing time
And love’s on sale tonight at this five and dime
‘Cause Rita was sixteen years, with hazel eyes and chestnut hair
She really made the Woolworth counter shine
Eddie was a sweet romancer, and a darn good dancer
And they’d waltz the aisles of the five and dime
And they’d waltz the aisles of the five and dime
And they’d waltz the aisles of the five and dime