I love this song. It is classic Stevie! However, what is this about? Is she referring to a love she had at 17? There seems to be a lot more going on here with the lyrics. I mean, what with the dove and going again - maybe tomorrow, and the music being hauntingly familiar. Great lyrics, don't get me wrong, but somewhat vague about what exactly they refer to. Thoughts?

Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song, sounds like she's singing
Ooo, ooo, ooo

Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song, sounds like she's singing
Ooo, baby, ooo
Said "Ooo"

And the days go by like a strand in the wind
In the web that is my own I begin again
Said to my friend baby
Nothin' else mattered

He was no more than a baby then
Well, he seemed broken hearted, something within him
But the moment that I first laid eyes on him all alone
On the edge of seventeen

Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song, sounds like she's singing
I said "Ooo, baby, ooo"
Said "Ooo"

Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song, sounds like she's singing
I said "Ooo, baby, ooo"
Said "Ooo"

Well, I went today
Maybe I will go again tomorrow
Yea yea, well, the music there
Well, it was hauntingly familiar

Well, I see you doing what I try to do for me
With the words from a poet
And a voice from a choir
And a melody, nothing else mattered

Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song, sounds like she's singing
I said "Ooo, baby, ooo"
Said "Ooo"

Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song, sounds like she's singing
I said "Ooo, baby, ooo"
Said "Ooo"

The clouds, never expect it
When it rains
But the sea changes color
But the sea does not change

And so with the slow graceful
Flow of age, I went forth with an
Age old desire to please
On the edge of seventeen, ooa

Ooa

Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song, sounds like she's singing
I said "Ooo, baby, ooo"
Said "Ooo"

Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song, sounds like she's singing
I said "Ooo, baby, ooo"
Said "Ooo"

Well, then suddenly
There was no one left standing in the hall, yeah yeah
In a flood of tears
That no one really ever heard fall at all

Well, I went searchin' for an answer
Up the stairs and down the hall
And not to find an answer
Just to hear the call
Of a nightbird singing "Come away"

Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song, sounds like she's singing
Ooo, baby, ooo
Said "Ooo"

Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song, sounds like she's singing
I said "Ooo, baby, ooo"
Said "Ooo"

Well, I hear you in the morning and
I hear you at nightfall, sometimes to be near you
Is to be unable to hear you, my love
I'm a few years older than you, my love

Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song, sounds like she's singing
Ooo, baby, ooo
Said "Ooo"

Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song, sounds like she's singing
Ooo, baby, ooo
Said "Ooo"

She wrote it when she heard about John Lennons' death and also at the same time one of her beloved uncles had died as well in hospital, so basically its a song about death and trying to find comfort and solace during that difficult time!!