Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
The town I came from was quiet and small
We played in the meadows where the grass grew so tall
In summer the lilacs would grow everywhere
The laughter of children would float in the air
As I grew older I had to roam
Far from my family, far from my home
Into the city, where lives can be spent
Lost in the shadows of tar and cement.
And every night I'd sit alone and learn
What loneliness meant
Up in my rented room above the world
Of tar and cement.
Each day I'd wake up and look at the sky
Think of the meadows where I used to lie
Then I'd remember all of that's gone
You're in the city, you better push on
Get what you came for, before it's too late
Get what you came for, the meadows can wait.
And every night I'd sit alone and learn
What loneliness meant
Up in my rented room above the world
Of tar and cement.
Many years later, tired at last
I headed for home to look for my past
I looked for the meadows, there wasn't a trace
Six lanes of highway had taken their place
Where were the lilacs and all that they meant
Nothing but acres of tar and cement.
Yet I can see it there so clearly now
Where has it gone?
Yes I can see it there so clearly now
Where has it gone?
Where are the meadows? (tar and cement)
Where are the lilacs? (tar and cement)
And where is the tall grass? (tar and cement)
The laughter of children? (tar and cement)
Nothing but acres (tar and cement)
Acres and acres
We played in the meadows where the grass grew so tall
In summer the lilacs would grow everywhere
The laughter of children would float in the air
As I grew older I had to roam
Far from my family, far from my home
Into the city, where lives can be spent
Lost in the shadows of tar and cement.
And every night I'd sit alone and learn
What loneliness meant
Up in my rented room above the world
Of tar and cement.
Each day I'd wake up and look at the sky
Think of the meadows where I used to lie
Then I'd remember all of that's gone
You're in the city, you better push on
Get what you came for, before it's too late
Get what you came for, the meadows can wait.
And every night I'd sit alone and learn
What loneliness meant
Up in my rented room above the world
Of tar and cement.
Many years later, tired at last
I headed for home to look for my past
I looked for the meadows, there wasn't a trace
Six lanes of highway had taken their place
Where were the lilacs and all that they meant
Nothing but acres of tar and cement.
Yet I can see it there so clearly now
Where has it gone?
Yes I can see it there so clearly now
Where has it gone?
Where are the meadows? (tar and cement)
Where are the lilacs? (tar and cement)
And where is the tall grass? (tar and cement)
The laughter of children? (tar and cement)
Nothing but acres (tar and cement)
Acres and acres
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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”
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
This song was originally an Italian song titled "Il ragazzo della via Gluck" (or "The Boy From Gluck Street"), performed by Adriano Celentano (who was also one of the co-writers).
The original song was largely biographical in nature; Celentano was not only from Milan, but was born and grew up in the titular Gluck Street (Via Cristoforo Gluck).
In essence of the original song is that Celentano (presumably) announces he's leaving to seek his fame and fortune in the city. He says this with tears in his eyes but makes it clear his heart is still there and that he plans to return. He does return after eight years but to his dismay 'progress' has removed all the grass, as well as the meadows. The song is a nostalgic reflection on his childhood, and the impacts of post-war urbanization on Italy.
The Italian song made it's way to well known American songwriters Lee Pockriss and Paul Vance (who as a partnership wrote a number of hits including "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini" and "Catch A Falling Star") and they were asked to put English lyrics to the tune. Although not a direct translation, I think they did a great job of capturing the intent and spirit of the original song.
The lyrics (both English and Italian) still work and are relevant today because:
1) The story told is one that is familiar to many people and relatable; a lot of us were born outside of major urban centres and when we grow up a sizeable number move to the cities largely looking for better money and better opportunities.
2) People tend to remember things from their childhood with a certain sense of nostalgia.
2) They convey the sense of desolation, isolation and loneliness people can feel, particularly in a big city, particularly if you've grown up in a country town or a close knit community.
3) There is clearly an environmental warning here. In the short term, bit by bit, changes happen. For the people 'back home' the changes are more subtle. For someone who has been absent for eight years, the changes are enormous. The more existential thoughts here are on unbridled development and what price we attach to that (and can we get it back again).
Well, I hope that's helpful (and that someone other than me is listening to this song!).