Are you confused by the term “cinnamon girl”? Perhaps this sentence has caught your attention in a song or conversation. You’re in the ideal place, so don’t worry. The definition, history, and current use of this phrase will all be covered in this article.
Since ancient times, people have utilised cinnamon in both food and healing. Its flavour, which is warm and sweet, is frequently connected to cosiness and comfort. One common phrase for a woman who possesses these attributes is “cinnamon girl.” She has a delicate, feminine manner and is kind, charming, and compassionate. Neil Young’s 1969 release of the same name served as the song’s main source of popularity. That being said, its meaning has changed over time and can change based on the circumstance.
What is a Cinnamon Girl?
If you enjoy both Neil Young and Lana Del Rey, you’ve undoubtedly heard his hit song “Cinnamon Girl.” Is a cinnamon girl, though? Although the phrase has come to be associated with a particular kind of women, where did it originate?
Although the term’s origins are not entirely apparent, there are a few ideas. According to others, the phrase describes a woman whose complexion is cinnamon or tanned. Some interpret it as referring to a spicy-sweet woman, like to the spice cinnamon.
The term’s actual meaning has never been disclosed by Neil Young, although it is obvious that many people have found resonance with it over time. When “Cinnamon Girl” was originally released on Young’s 1969 album “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere,” it immediately won over listeners.
In between shows, Young is shown in the song fantasising about a girl he loves and waiting for her. The lyrics, which are straightforward but effective, perfectly convey the sense of want and longing that many people may identify with.
Even if its exact meaning is still up for discussion, the word “cinnamon girl” has grown to be adored in popular culture. Over the years, a lot of artists have covered the song, and Neil Young fans and lovers of classic rock in general still love it.
Characteristics of a Cinnamon Girl
Even if its exact meaning is still up for discussion, the word “cinnamon girl” has grown to be adored in popular culture. Over the years, a lot of artists have covered the song, and Neil Young fans and lovers of classic rock in general still love it.
Kindness is one of the things that makes a cinnamon girl unique. She truly cares about other people’s well-being and is always willing to lend a helping hand. She offers a secure environment for people to express their feelings and ideas and is also an excellent listener.
A cinnamon girl’s susceptibility is another quality. She is honest about how she feels and doesn’t hesitate to express it. She doesn’t try to hide behind a mask; instead, she is not scared to be herself. She is therefore approachable and simple to chat to.
A cinnamon girl is also a person who exudes subtle seduction. Even though she doesn’t flaunt her physique or dress provocatively, there is something seductive about her. It can be her smile, her self-assurance, or her manner of carrying herself.
Furthermore, a cinnamon girl is frequently called a “city girl.” This is due to the fact that she thrives in a fast-paced setting and takes pleasure in the commotion of city life. Although she is self-sufficient and independent, she recognises the value of ties and relationships.
Cinnamon Girl in Music
Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl” is among the most well-known songs that contain the term “cinnamon girl.” The song, which was included on the 1970 album “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere,” has Young’s trademark distorted guitar sound and hallucinogenic lyrics. According to certain accounts, Young had a crush on Jean, the girl on whom the song is supposedly based. Some claim that the reference to the “cinnamon girl” is a nod to the cosy and comfortable scent of the spice.
Type O Negative’s Cinnamon Girl
The song “Cinnamon Girl” by Type O Negative is a cover of a Neil Young tune. As a part of the album “October Rust,” the gothic metal group released their rendition in 1997. The song has a slower tempo and eerie, deep vocals by Peter Steele. The song sounds darker and more depressing performed by the band than it did in the original.
Smashing Pumpkins’ Cinnamon Girl
“Cinnamon Girl” by Smashing Pumpkins is an original song rather than a cover of Neil Young’s song. The song, which was included on the 1994 album “Siamese Dream,” has dreamy vocals and Billy Corgan’s distinctive guitar tone. Although the lyrics are vague and up for interpretation, it appears that they are about a seductive yet mysterious girl.
Cinnamon Girl in Literature
Neil Young’s song “Cinnamon Girl” is one well-known literary allusion to a cinnamon girl. Young has referred to the cinnamon girl in his song as a “city girl on peeling pavement coming at me through Phil Ochs’ eyes playing finger cymbals,” though he has never said who she is. Folk singer and political activist Phil Ochs lived in the 1960s; it’s possible that Young’s song’s “cinnamon girl” refers to a woman who held similar political beliefs.
Young had a thing for Jean Ray in the 1960s; she could have served as another source of inspiration for the character of the cinnamon girl in his song. “Cinnamon Girl” is about Jean, according to Brian Ray, Jean’s younger brother and a musician who has performed with Paul McCartney. But Young has never acknowledged this himself.
Other literary works have also employed the word “cinnamon girl.” J.D. Salinger’s protagonist Holden Caulfield refers to a girl he meets in “The Catcher in the Rye” as a “cinnamon girl” because of her fragrant, spicy, and sweet aroma. One of the characters, Ponyboy, in S.E. Hinton’s book “The Outsiders,” refers to Cherry, his crush, as a “cinnamon-colored girl” because of her red hair.
A girl who is sweet, kind, and sensitive is referred to as a “cinnamon girl” in literature. She might have experienced hurt from previous boyfriends and be afraid of being wounded again. In spite of this, she is kind and sympathetic, and she frequently makes people around her feel defensive.
Cinnamon Girl in Popular Culture
The song “Cinnamon Girl” by Neil Young has one of the most well-known allusions to a cinnamon girl. The 1969 song has been interpreted in a variety of ways, but it’s generally accepted that Young composed it about the girl he was at the time infatuated with. Actress Carrie Snodgress, who was Young’s girlfriend at the time, is thought to have been the girl, though he has never acknowledged her identity. Since then, several musicians, including Lana Del Rey, have covered the song, which has become a classic.
Speaking of Lana Del Rey, her 2019 album “Norman Fucking Rockwell!” features a song titled “Cinnamon Girl.” The song is about a girl who is sensitive, feminine, and afraid of being harmed by expressing her actual sentiments, hence its meaning is different from Neil Young’s song. The song, according to Del Rey, is about “a girl who is just like me if I wasn’t an artist,” as she put it in an interview with BBC Radio 1.
Literature has frequently made reference to cinnamon girls. Author Linda Ashcroft writes in her book “Wild Child: Life with Jim Morrison” about how Morrison and his partner Pamela Courson used to call each other “sugar” and “cinnamon.” Morrison would say, “I’m cinnamon, you’re sugar,” to which Courson would respond, “No, you’re sugar, I’m cinnamon,” according to Ashcroft. The couple’s favourite breakfast dish served as the inspiration for their nicknames for one another.
In his songs, Paul McCartney has even made mention of cinnamon chicks. McCartney speaks of a female who is both hot and sweet, like cinnamon, in his song “Cinnamon Girl.” Brian Ray plays guitar in the 2001 edition of the song.
Symbolism and Interpretation of Cinnamon Girl
In his song of the same name, Neil Young coined the phrase “Cinnamon Girl.” He claimed in the liner notes of his Decade compilation that he composed the song for a city girl who was playing finger cymbals while peeling pavement and was approaching him through Phil Ochs’s eyes. Numerous listeners have deduced that the song is about a romantic connection, with the cinnamon girl standing in for a partner whom Young is unable to fully comprehend or relate to.
The song “Cinnamon Girl” by Type O Negative also makes reference to the word. The cinnamon girl in this song is a metaphor for a lady who loves her abusive boyfriend despite his maltreatment. The song is a statement on the abuse cycle and how challenging it may be to escape.
The phrase “cinnamon girl” is used by Lana Del Rey to define the high she has after kissing her lover. Cinnamon has a pleasant flavour that Del Rey likens to the sensation she experiences in the company of her partner.
The phrase has also been used in various settings, such as Anna’s moniker from the television series “The O.C.” Because she loved cinnamon-flavored gum, Anna was known as the cinnamon girl.
FAQ:
Who originally did Cinnamon Girl?
Neil Young, a Canadian singer-songwriter, has a song titled “Cinnamon Girl.” It was made available in 1969 on his album Everyone Knows This Is Nowhere, which also happened to be his debut album including Crazy Horse as a backup band.
Who has covered Cinnamon Girl?
Numerous musicians, such as Type O Negative, Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, and Sonic Youth, have covered “Cinnamon Girl.” Over 50 different musicians have recorded versions of “Cinnamon Girl” (u0022), according to SecondHandSongs, a website that tracks song covers.
