"From Here to Eternity" is a song by Steve Harley, released in 1976 as a part of his solo album "Love's a Prima Donna." The song portrays the ups and downs of a tumultuous relationship with a wild and unpredictable woman. The lyrics depict the narrator's lover, a strange and unpredictable woman who constantly teases and makes fun of him. She owns a flea-infested dog that has a habit of destroying the narrator's guitars as a way of seeking revenge. However, the dog's misbehavior is often helped by the narrator (called Stevie in the lyrics) putting a boot in its face. The song further describes the woman's physical appearance, mentioning her weight and her refusal to diet. The narrator expresses a desire to see her burst like a balloon by sticking her with a pin, which he contemplates doing one day. The woman's actions, such as leaping into the bath, are depicted as absurd and provide comic relief. Despite the woman's abusive behavior, the narrator admits he finds amusement in her antics and chooses to remain in the relationship. He describes her as a "barrel of fun" and claims he'll hang around with her from "here to eternity." The song also mentions incidents of physical abuse. The narrator describes being beaten by his lover like a slave, and she even plots his grave in the yard. However, he still admits to being infatuated with her and finds it necessary to make love to pacify her outbursts. He humorously mentions how claiming a migraine as an excuse wouldn't work, as she would just yell at him. In the end, the narrator's loyalty comes into question as he humorously describes the woman's treatment of him, comparing it to a dog dragged in from a bog. Despite the abuse and constant turmoil, he continues to find her entertaining and chooses to stick around. Overall, "From Here to Eternity" tells the story of a dysfunctional and abusive relationship, portraying the narrator's attraction to the wild and unpredictable nature of his lover, despite the negative consequences it brings.
