In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Telegram Sam Telegram Sam
You're my main man
Golden Nose Slim Golden Nose Slim
I know's where you've been
Purple Pie Pete Purple Pie Pete
Your lips are like lightning
Girls melt in the heat
Telegram Sam
You're my main man
Telegram Sam
You're my main man
Bobby's alright Bobby's alright
He's a natural born poet
He's just outta sight
Jungle faced Jake
Jungle faced Jake
I say make no mistake
About Jungle faced Jake
Automatic shoes
Automatic shoes
Give me three D vision
And the California blues
Me I funk but I don't care
I ain't no square with my corkscrew hair
Telegram Sam, Telegram Sam
I'm a howlin' wolf
You're my main man
Golden Nose Slim Golden Nose Slim
I know's where you've been
Purple Pie Pete Purple Pie Pete
Your lips are like lightning
Girls melt in the heat
Telegram Sam
You're my main man
Telegram Sam
You're my main man
Bobby's alright Bobby's alright
He's a natural born poet
He's just outta sight
Jungle faced Jake
Jungle faced Jake
I say make no mistake
About Jungle faced Jake
Automatic shoes
Automatic shoes
Give me three D vision
And the California blues
Me I funk but I don't care
I ain't no square with my corkscrew hair
Telegram Sam, Telegram Sam
I'm a howlin' wolf
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
"Telegram Sam" was written by Bolan about the music business accountant, Sam Alder, who sent Bolan, by telegram, news that "Get It On" had reached number one in the UK.
What a great song!!!!
drugs drugs drugs
This Marc's view of other people. Golden Nose Slim goes around doing cocaine, Purple Pie Pete spends his time with the ladies, Bobby (Dylan) is someone he loves but is just too far out of reach. Jungle Faced Jake is someone easily angered I guess? Telegram Sam, I believe was an actual telegram guy, someone he met at a hotel but that he thought was cool, and apparently he prefered that stranger he met once over all the other people he would hang with. As for Marc himself, he just rocks.
i saw a interview of marc's and he said it's just someone i knew in america called sam and we nick named him telegram sam. marc's music it's about hiden meanings he wants you 2 know what there about
I have yet to hear the T Rex version, but I adore the Bauhaus cover. The lyrics are good. I associate them with American politics.
It makes me think of Uncle Sam delivering the infamous telegrams informing the family of a solder that they has died in combat.
@HearMeWhisper Funny that someone would love this song, but not know the original. The Bauhaus cover is tougher, the T.Rex original is light on its feet,. Marc would use this template many times in his career.
Marc rocks, still rocks, will always rock. Marc Bolan wrote beautiful songs and T-Rex was a great band in their time. Their songs actually transcend time and sound great today (2008) -- listen to Bang A Gong (Get It On) and tell me they don't. Sweet Marc died too damn young -- R.I.P. Sweetness. You haven't been forgotten and gave the world something to smile about.
I'm a Howlin' Wolf is referance to Howlin' Wolf and how Marc ripped off part of his song You'll Be Mine in Jeepster.
i want transported back to the early seventies a rocking time withT.REX
"Bobby's all right..." is a tribute to Dylan. There's a recording of Bolan actually singing "Bobby Dylan's all right". Bolan and Bowie both liked to namecheck 60's icons like Dylan, Lennon and Jagger in song.