The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Mean Mister Mustard sleeps in the park
Shaves in the dark trying to save paper
Sleeps in a hole in the road
Saving up to buy some clothes
Keeps a ten-bob note up his nose
Such a mean old man
Such a mean old man
His sister Pam works in a shop
She never stops, she's a go-getter
Takes him out to look at the queen
Only place that he's ever been
Always shouts out something obscene
Such a dirty old man
Dirty old man
Shaves in the dark trying to save paper
Sleeps in a hole in the road
Saving up to buy some clothes
Keeps a ten-bob note up his nose
Such a mean old man
Such a mean old man
His sister Pam works in a shop
She never stops, she's a go-getter
Takes him out to look at the queen
Only place that he's ever been
Always shouts out something obscene
Such a dirty old man
Dirty old man
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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.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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.
are polytheme pam and mean mr. mustard siblings?
"his sister pam..."
i agree drgonzothx, the second half of abbey road is phenomenal in that each song rolls right into the next.
"His sister Pam" was added in(I think John's original lyric had her name as Shirley or something) to fit with the medley concept. So yeah, Mr. Mustard and Polythene Pam are siblings
actually just heard it on the anthology and it's "shelly"
originally the last track, "her majesty" which is just a little tiny sound bit, was supposed to go between "Mr. Mustard" and "Polythene Pam". But I think the label decided to cut it for continuity so McCartney just tagged it on the end of Abbey Road. If you can program your CD player, you'll see how it fits between the two!
@tomauto Yes, they are related (although Pam is transgender, which accounts for John mentioning that 'she looks like a man')
"Keeps a ten bob note up his nose"=Cocaine
I love this song, and how this polythene pam and she came in thru the bathroom flow, I put the record on mean mr mustard and listen to the end of the album, best part of my day!!
i love this album... the songs are mosly so short. go beatles
I thought the 2nd half is just called the 'long medley". Probably started off with Because and ended with, well, "the end". This makes Abbey Road one of the greatest albums ever. It's the musical arrangement that makes it great.
The second half is called "The Sun King Medley".
this song is too cool. i def. agree with drgonzothx, the whole end of the album just never gets old for me, i listen to it whenever life is crazy. it keeps me sane, this album means so much to me. that is all. haha
"His sister Pam" was added in(I think John's original lyric had her name as Shirley or something) to fit with the medley concept. So yeah, Mr. Mustard and Polythene Pam are siblings.
I love the line "always shouts out something obscene." There are so many people like that, who just can't control themselves when they get caught up in a moment.
His sister Pam works in a shop, She never stops, she’s a go getter.
so rhythmic musical