Her cotton-picking days would mark
a childhood passing by
when life for her was Rough and stark
and love in short supply.
She yearned the Open Arms of kin
but that was not to be.
Abuse at home caused pain within,
her mother forced to flee.
A tomboy in her teenage years,
so clearly no-one's fool
and, spirited in social spheres,
she'd Break (most) Ev'ry Rule.
For meeting Ike, she'd not take 'no'
with steadfast rule of thumb -
to join his band, sing blues and show
a Change is Gonna Come!
With steely craft, he'd patent her
and groom her famous name.
On Silent Wings, she'd fly, concur -
as Tina she became.
Two People, wedded, rose to fame
and one much further still,
but, in that game, her song would claim
an ugly, bitter pill.
For, though this Fool in Love had found
fulfilment ever near,
Ike's vicious rage would oft abound,
infusing her with fear.
Through glitter years, her fans would spot
the majesty she lit.
Her anthem mocked in What's Love Got
(or not) to Do with It!
For, in the end, his sense took flight
with drugs and fame to blame.
She'd end this mean, abusive fight
that wrought domestic Shame.
So, all alone, this songster went,
though straitened, she survived.
And with her Private Dancer meant
that Tina had arrived.
With mini skirt and massive hair
and legs insured with gold;
those younger Girls would flaunt that flair
to fit the Tina mould.
Then passion bloomed with Erwin Bach
beyond her Wildest Dreams.
With chemistry, there lit a spark
of lasting love, it seems.
For nigh on forty years he'd be
her rock through age and fear.
Though still beset by ghosts,* she'd see
that Paradise is Here.
From dirt-poor roots, she made the leap
and touched the cloudless sky.
Her funky sound* went River Deep
(and soared to) Mountain High.
And, even though life bore its toll,
she fought off all the rest.
This icon, Queen of Rock and Roll,
would Simply (be) The Best!
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