I want to tell you 'bout Texas radio and the big beat
Comes out of the Virginia swamps
Cool and slow with plenty of precision
With a back beat narrow and hard to master

Some call it heavenly in its brilliance
Others, mean and rueful of the Western dream
I love the friends I have gathered together on this thin raft
We have constructed pyramids in honor of our escaping
This is the land where the Pharaoh died

The Negroes in the forest brightly feathered
They are saying, "forget the night
Live with us in forests of azure
Out here on the perimeter there are no stars
Out here we is stoned, immaculate"

Listen to this, and I'll tell you 'bout the heartache
I'll tell you 'bout the heartache and the loss of God
I'll tell you 'bout the hopeless night
The meager food for souls forgot
I'll tell you 'bout the maiden with wrought iron soul

I'll tell you this
No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn

I'll tell you 'bout Texas radio and the Big Beat
Soft, driven, slow and mad, like some new language

Now, listen to this, and I'll tell you 'bout the Texas
I'll tell you 'bout the Texas radio
I'll tell you 'bout the hopeless night
Wandering the Western dream
Tell you 'bout the maiden with wrought iron soul


Lyrics submitted by kevin, edited by jejones3141, sirrom

The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat) Lyrics as written by Robby Krieger John Densmore

Lyrics © Doors Music Company

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The Wasp (Texas Radio and the Big Beat) song meanings
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  • +4
    General Comment

    (The lyrics above are incorrect, but onto the song...)

    "Now listen to this, I'll tell you 'bout the heartache. I'll tell you 'bout the heartache and the loss of God. I'll tell you 'bout the hopeless night The meager food for souls forgot I'll tell you 'bout the maiden with wrought iron soul."

    In my humble opinion, these are some of the best and most meaningful lines written in the English language, not to even mention ones written by Jim Morrison. I'm hard pressed to think of a more apt expression of loneliness in a life that at times seems to go on forever. I have been there, and Jim captures the feeling perfectly.

    Extremely underrated as a poem, and you just can't stop the music of the song. Killer backbeat, Robby crunching out an unbeatable riff, and Manzarek at his finest. No one, really, steals the show. This was the Doors functioning as a band and also expertly as individual members. Hands down, one of their best.

    ShepherdofBeingon June 29, 2008   Link

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