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.
Julie Christie, the rumors are true
As the pages turn, my eyes are glued
To the movie star and his sordid life
Mr. X and his old-suffering wife
I spent so much time dreaming about Eleanor Bron
In my room with the curtains drawn
See her in the arms of Paul
Say it, I can say no more
As the music swells somehow stronger from adversity
Our hero finds his inner peace
So now I'm looking for a lucky charm
With a needle hanging out of its arm
As time goes by I know it's gonna happen
I know it's going away
Gonna take its toll, gonna take its toll
Gonna take my time
And I'm thinking about the way things are
And I'm thinking about the way things were
Thinking about Eleanor Bron
And I'm thinking about a lucky charm
And I'm thinking about the needle
Oh, I'm thinking about the needle
And I'm thinking about...
As the pages turn, my eyes are glued
To the movie star and his sordid life
Mr. X and his old-suffering wife
I spent so much time dreaming about Eleanor Bron
In my room with the curtains drawn
See her in the arms of Paul
Say it, I can say no more
As the music swells somehow stronger from adversity
Our hero finds his inner peace
So now I'm looking for a lucky charm
With a needle hanging out of its arm
As time goes by I know it's gonna happen
I know it's going away
Gonna take its toll, gonna take its toll
Gonna take my time
And I'm thinking about the way things are
And I'm thinking about the way things were
Thinking about Eleanor Bron
And I'm thinking about a lucky charm
And I'm thinking about the needle
Oh, I'm thinking about the needle
And I'm thinking about...
Lyrics submitted by caffienatidjazz
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
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Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Back on 2001 I was at a Yo La Tengo's concert which was followed by a questions-and-answers session where the band sat at the stage and talked to those of us who stayed. I was quick to ask Ira Kaplan what was the meaning behind this song. He wasn't very specific saying that it wasn't about a particular event or person, but rather about all the things which allure you in cinema, literature and the media in general when you're young.
I think Ira put a lot of moments of her childhood and adolescence into words and made a song with them.
*his childood and adolescence
the actor tom courtenay and the actress julie christie are both in the movie "dr. zhivago".
sort of the same sentiment as comfortably numb, staying home and shooting up all the time
I'm gonna take a wild stab, here...I think the song is mostly about "Billy Liar," which stars Tom Courtenay and Julie Christie. It's about being the kind of guy Tom Courtenay plays in the film: a dreamer and a fan, alone in your room, watching movies and reading magazines, imagining a glamorous, exciting world where you're a hero, but not really doing anything. When Billy finally gets a chance to break away from his boring job and his boring life in his boring town and head off to adventures in London with a gorgeous, exciting woman (Julie Christie), he's too timid to go for it. Gonna take it slow...it's all about regret, missed opportunities, and the accompanying self-loathing that you'll do anything to numb.
I'm not sure why the object of fandom here is "Help!," but it certainly fits with the whole U.K. early-'60s thing.
The line following "See her in the arms of Paul" should actually read "Saying, "I can say no more"". It's a reference to the movie "Help!".
Thanks for taking a wild stab, kaqi. That makes a fair amount of sense. I'm not sure wht to make of the drug references, but somehow they fit. When I first heard the song I was reminded of the movie "McCabe and Mrs. Miller", wherein Julie Christie plays an opium addict. but nothing else really fit. Note- Eleanor Bron was in the movie "Help." Yes, as oxymoronic as it sounds, the acoustic version does rock. I would almost sayit is better, but Yo La Tengo does those popy background vocals like no one else can.
This song is particular poignant for me, and sort of makes the hair on the back of my head stand up. My mother was a sort of local beauty and minor luminary in the 60's, before dying of a shot of heroin in 1969. I never knew her. "Looking for a lucky charm, with a needle hangin' out of its arm...." is a sort of devastating line to listen to.
Haunting, stark, beautiful.
Professional ponderings on the meaning of this song and who the narrator is: avclub.com/article/yo-la-tengos-tom-courtenay-pays-homage-60s-british-232340
And the acoustic version rocks too!