The meaning to this song is quite evident from the lyrics. There may be an allegorical meaning, talking about the music industry instead of a PI but that may be a stretch. This track is a real favorite of mine because of the really cool musical vibe it has. The ethereal atmosphere of this song sucks the listener into the story. Mark does have a way of creating an interesting story in many of his songs. This is another great song to test the Hi-Fi with. Listen for the breaking glass towards the end. To me it sounds like a wine glass shattering. I never heard/noticed this on my original vinyl copy but shows up nicely on CD. Crank this one up too!

This song brings back such powerful memories for me. Growing up in essentially an all black neighborhood in the 60’s, all my first crushes were on girls whose skin color was much different from my own. Back then, the pressure applied from peers, family and others towards a mixed race couple usually was too much to maintain the relationship and this idea is captured almost perfectly in the song lyrics. This song brings a mist to my eyes every time I hear and when it comes on, I just have to stop what I am doing and listen. Thanks Everclear! We have come a long way since 60’s but there is still a long, long way to go.

This song is an example of what I like to call a hidden treasure that can be buried in albums. These hidden treasures are what differentiate the ordinary from the extra-ordinary record. This is a favorite of mine from the Grave Dancers Union record too. I am not sure what is intended by the lyrics but I have interpreted it as the singer telling us of his strange decisions and the consequences which result. Again as previously noted, it could just be amusing nonsense.

What, no comments on this amazing song? I still hear this song popping out of my AM radio in 1965 and indelibly etching itself into my very core. This is as close to a perfect song as you can get from an the beginning of the era where the singer-songwriter was king; when there was actually a point of view in a song that could reach people’s ears. I am not sure what Paul is trying to say here but it has always had the meaning to me that he is warning the listener that silence/conformity is a dangerous path. This song and thus the message is timeless.

I can’t believe no one has commented on this gorgeous song. I am not sure what, if anything the lyrics mean for this song but it is such a sonic feast for the ears, who really cares. Because of what I like to call the “Cosmic Orgasm” instrumental interlude, I have always interpreted this as music to get busy to. The “Dear 23” album is a real favorite of mine and this is a really good song to test your sound system. Crank it up

This is a spectacularly sad song for all those who have loved and/or longed for another that does not feel the same. The “Sentimental Hygiene” album is just full of sad and biting (nasty good) commentary from Warren Zevon and is one that I played nonstop for a long time. What a fine songwriter he was and will be missed.

Waah-Waah-Waah….. Crank this one up folks. I have no idea what John is singing about in this song but for many songs, what is the point. Since I got my first AM radio in 1965, there have been so many songs that I have loved but only later in life learned what was going on in them. Then there are still songs that I am still clueless about. John Easdale is great at writing songs that really don’t require interpretation or left to your imagination (Maybe that is why I like his songs so much). In a sense, these are the songs that can become timeless. I am not sure that this song up to that kind of standard but it still is one that when it comes on, I have to turn it up.

Ah, the classic Star Trek reference in this song is most amusing of all such references that I have heard on record. This refers to perhaps the absolutely worst episode filmed for that original series. The singer has switched on the tube to this episode and the setup is that Spock’s brain has been removed from his head but still alive and used to power an alien computer. Dr. McCoy attempts to put his brain back in his head after he has been given the knowledge to do the operation. However the knowledge given him is only temporarily and while in the middle of the operation, he begins to lose the understanding of the process. He mumbles something like in the song “Seemed so simple at the time”. Hilarious! I like this song simply because of the above reference but it still is an interesting relationship song. I am not sure how the Star Trek reference fits with the rest of the song except that perhaps the protagonist is thinking that putting his relationship back together is like putting Spock’s brain back.

I have always viewed this song as a response from Ray Davies to music industry pressure to create another hit song. (So many artists pander to their fans and that is really evident with today’s music) My hat is off to Ray and the gang for their creative vision. Ray is an excellent song writer who seems to always do just what he wants.

Since no one has commented on this terrific song, I will chime in. I instantly became a fan of Concrete Blonde after hearing this song. I interpret this song as a diatribe against senseless violence, especially gun violence. The mention of Dr. King and John Lennon’s deaths still evokes too many sad memories. This song is performed with an urgency and venom that sucks you in from beginning to end.