The song "Lucinda" by Joe Cocker tells the story of a brief encounter between the narrator and a girl named Lucinda. They meet on a summer evening at the beach, where Lucinda is lying down in her graduation gown. The narrator is intrigued by her and lies down beside her. However, their moment is interrupted by the beach-cleaning man who warns them to run away from a big white truck that is approaching. The lyrics suggest that Lucinda and the narrator decide not to heed the warning and stay on the beach. Unfortunately, the truck ends up burying Lucinda under the sand, presumably causing harm to her. The song then mourns the loss of Lucinda and questions why she had to go in such a tragic way. The line, "They sent her to high school, they sent her to low school, she just wouldn't go further" suggests that Lucinda may have been a stubborn or rebellious person who refused to conform to societal expectations. The song implies that her unwillingness to conform may have led to her untimely demise. Overall, "Lucinda" is a melancholic and mysterious song that tells a story of a tragic event on a California beach. Joe Cocker's emotive vocals and the somber tone of the music create a sense of sadness and reflection.
