I think its pretty straight forward... Being at a party with someone you are in a "shaky" relationship with... "I wheeled around because I didn't hear what you had said" -wheeled around is not referring to being in a wheelchair It is an older expression that means wandering around- She probably said "I'll be over there" or "I'm going to go get a drink" he wanders (wheeled)around the party... and is probably overserved or continues to get overserved... before or because of he saw her "dancing around in lemoore's bed... with elahu" At this point he's pissed and drunk she helps him to...

I think its pretty straight forward... Being at a party with someone you are in a "shaky" relationship with... "I wheeled around because I didn't hear what you had said" -wheeled around is not referring to being in a wheelchair It is an older expression that means wandering around- She probably said "I'll be over there" or "I'm going to go get a drink" he wanders (wheeled)around the party... and is probably overserved or continues to get overserved... before or because of he saw her "dancing around in lemoore's bed... with elahu" At this point he's pissed and drunk she helps him to his car... The next morning "as the market stands unfolded" People who were there getting coffee or whatever they have seen him or been at that same party... "I shuffled by alert but numb to all the glances and the glares" he doesn't care that people saw him drunk and needing a ride home... He's more frustrated and upset about the fact he saw his girlfriend being flirtatious and or cheating on him... (maybe because he does drink too much) And that's why he says "it's now I knew that you knew that I'd soon end up and up"

The last part could refer to either the girlfriend or alcohol itself: you tricked me like the others and now I don't belong the simple smiles and good times seem all wrong... I think this last line speaks for itself from either perspective...

It's a "you and me against the world" song. And a song about bucking responsibility (for good & bad).

It's a "you and me against the world" song. And a song about bucking responsibility (for good & bad).

Trudy and Dave are married with a young baby. This is the point when your young, rebel life ends and you have to become an adult. Dave fantasizes a lot about being that "mysterious" man with a pistol and a cigarette, but instead drives the family down to the 'strip mall laundromat' for chores; he probably doesn't look that sexy with his "three-day beard." Trudy notably washes their bell-bottom jeans, harkening back to a recent-but-distant era of their non-conformism. That's life in your 30s, folks! Discussion about Dave's parents makes it clear this is a cyclical part of life.

Dave struggles with feeling some resentment at his family for the change in his life (& perhaps other disappointments), but is mature enough to realize it's not their fault: "it wasn't them at all, just life that was mean."

Dave is constantly tempted by the desire to return to that life ("follow that shot") and eventually decides to go for it, at least on that day. In my view, the violence and danger are a bit more metaphorical here. Their bell-bottom jeans imply more of a hippie than gangster vibe. And the crime at the end is to shoot an ATM only for laundry money. So, I read this as a general decision to do something 'out there' rather than literally about shooting an ATM (which wouldn't work with a $20 pistol anyway).

The song feels mostly positive about the choice, but it's a short-term outcome. The song tells us "that they drove away clean" and, notice, that they use the money to wash their laundry -- the act is refreshing, perhaps clearing the 'dirty laundry' of their relationship or life. Still, I think the song understands this sort of rebellion isn't a permanent solution and that's the danger. The song does call them "crazy" and Dave's mom makes an appearance noting that if he follows that desire to lash out it will be "to his grave." So, the happy ending is tainted by the knowledge that the temptation to evade responsibility might be too much in the long run.

This is one of my favorite Counting Crows songs. It has a powerful effect on me when I listen to it that is hard to describe. Its interesting that someone thought it was about a prostitute who was trying to escape and was stuggling to begin a normal life, and that makes sense the more I think about it. However I've always thought that is was about a women who had a very rough childhood where she was abused or neglected by her parents and no one really cared about her. She has become an outcast and this has followed...

This is one of my favorite Counting Crows songs. It has a powerful effect on me when I listen to it that is hard to describe. Its interesting that someone thought it was about a prostitute who was trying to escape and was stuggling to begin a normal life, and that makes sense the more I think about it. However I've always thought that is was about a women who had a very rough childhood where she was abused or neglected by her parents and no one really cared about her. She has become an outcast and this has followed her into adulthood, and she's so afraid of being alone and facing her past that she gambles excessively and tries hard to please people who just want to use her, as she thinks that they are her friends. She probably lives in a dirty, run-down house or apartment that is littered with fast food wrappers, TV dinner trys, and soda cans and takes an anti-depressant every night to take to edge off, but contemplates overdosing and committing suicide. I really feel sorry for anyone who lives this life in reality.