submissions

Catatonia – Don’t Need The Sunshine Lyrics	22 years ago
Aside from the obvious drug metaphor, it's about someone aching to help a person for whom she cares deeply. That sentiment can be applied to many situations beyond the scope of the addiction idea. "And I don't mind your lies so keep on talking..." That's just a beautiful line. Anyone who means that has to be devoted.

submissions

Pulp – Monday Morning Lyrics	22 years ago
This is a wonderful evocation of the feeling of anti-climax that comes with growing up and/or escaping from something you've been longing to get away from. It pinpoints the desperation that can come from being aimless and living a life without direction. It's the classic question: does my life have meaning?

submissions

Barenaked Ladies – Jane Lyrics	23 years ago
Lovely catchy song. I hate to sound ignorant - but I'm so good at it ;) Who are Juliana and Evan? I've always wondered what that referred to...

submissions

Barenaked Ladies – Baby Seat Lyrics	23 years ago
Ooooh, thank you for pointing that out about the Dylan reference... I love when there's a link between favourites of mine :-) The stand-out line for me here is "If you think growing up is tough then you're just not grown up enough." A classy put-down if ever there was one!

submissions

Barenaked Ladies – Alcohol Lyrics

23 years ago

Well, I agree that the song's sarcastic but I don't think it's entirely anti-alcohol. There's nothing wrong with drinking in moderation. The song warns that it's easy to go too far and mess up on too much alcohol, but also makes the point that getting tipsy on occasion is damn good fun: it's all about finding "the fine line between self control and self abuse". I think the person in the song *is* developing a drinking problem but he is conscious of it and will probably seek help before he descends too far.

submissions

Bob Dylan – Like a Rolling Stone Lyrics

23 years ago

I think the riches to rags aspect is a metaphor for love. She thought she had a perfect life, perfect husband, and scorned Bob's advances. Then the guy betrayed her and her world was shattered, so now Bob's having a great time gloating. Whatever the case, I'm in complete agreement about what a classic song it is. Totally vindicating if someone who's hurt you gets theirs. Altogether now, "How does it feeeeeel..."

submissions

Bob Dylan – Tangled Up in Blue Lyrics	23 years ago
Fabulous. I love the non-linear narrative, all the moments he plucks out of their history. The verse about the poems sends a shiver down my spine. Out of curiosity, is there a meaning behind the Montague Street reference? Is that a known place or something?

submissions

Bob Dylan – Mr. Tambourine Man Lyrics

23 years ago

Well, I don't know that I'd go so far as to say the song can make me a better person ;) Certainly I'm always sceptical about speculation that songs are "about" drugs. The writing of it may have been influenced by drugs, yes, but that's not quite the same thing. The images that came to him when under the influence - if indeed he was when writing the song - probably came from memories and ideas that were in his head anyway. Many of the lines that people interpret as drug-related (magic swirling ship; take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind) can just as easily be taken as a plea to a friend or mentor to distract him from his worries. I get the sense he's talking to someone he respects - perhaps a fellow-musician whom he admires?

submissions

Bob Dylan – Not Dark Yet Lyrics	23 years ago
It has a definite depression vibe, as in clinical as opposed to mere angst. I get the sense he's crying for help: it isn't dark *yet* so maybe he can be saved. Some of the lines ("I ain't looking for nothing in anyone's eyes"; "I just don't see why I should even care") sound like things people say when they're secretly hoping to be given a reason to feel otherwise.

submissions

Chris De Burgh – The Lady in Red Lyrics

23 years ago

Seriously, could there be a much cornier song? I love it anyway :-) Very much a school disco kind of song, the kind that will almost always soften up a woman even if she knows the man who's playing it for them doesn't mean a word! Such an ego trip for a gal - not only does this guy realise he's madly in love with her, but every other man in the room's hitting on her too. It's a lovely fantasy, and always makes me desperate to run out and buy a red dress!

submissions

Rod Stewart – I Don't Want To Talk About It Lyrics	23 years ago
A beautiful mixture of strength and vulnerability. He's defiant and doesn't want to talk about how badly he's hurt but at the same time can't help making a plea that things might be different.

submissions

Rod Stewart – Maggie May Lyrics	23 years ago
"You stole my heart but I love you anyway" - sums it up really, doesn't it? The lyrics do a cracking job of portraying a young man's pain and anger at his treatment, but it's obvious he's still looking for a way to stay with her. I think the song is him trying to get her to ask him to forgive her.

submissions

Space – Charlie M Lyrics	23 years ago
Personally I'm quite happy with his accent since I can actually, y'know, make out what he's saying whereas I usually can't with rap :) Love the bit about Mickey Mouse's hang-ups.

submissions

Bob Dylan – Positively 4th Street Lyrics	23 years ago
Heh heh, this song cheers me up no end when I'm in a foul mood. The bitterness is so heartfelt, yet he's got a sense of humour about the whole thing. You get the feeling he's *really* enjoying having the upper hand with this person for once.

submissions

Bob Dylan – You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go Lyrics	23 years ago
Sigh. I adore this song. I'm not sure why - Dylan's done much 'deeper' stuff - but it's so vivid and romantic without being vomit-inducing, probably because it's not a relationship that's going to last forever. The titular refrain, and "It's never looked this close before" - i.e. it's a near miss, but not in a sad sense. It's pleasurable and meaningful but not a lifetime thing.

* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.