| Traffic – Feelin' Alright Lyrics | 20 years ago |
|
I believe that even in the Traffic version, the word is "die" and not "sign". Dave Mason also says "die" on the version of this song that appears on his solo album, "Headkeeper". Since Mason is the writer of this song, I have to believe that "die" is the word. I don't think that the song is about breaking up, but it does seem to be about relationship problems. Things are difficult between them, and the singer isn't "feelin' alright" about what's going on between them. In the second verse, he said that he "can't waste my time" and wants to move on "before I die", but then, in this final verse, he says for her not to "get too lost in what I say." In that verse, he "can't get up yet" and he's "here to stay", which to me, implies that he has decided not to leave her, and that he's staying put while he tries to decide if he has the strength and courage to leave her, in spite of "all your lies". |
|
| Traffic – The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys Lyrics | 20 years ago |
|
Well, I agree that the first verse is about the music industry, but to me, the second and third verses go beyond this. The second one seems to be about someone who is about to die ... or perhaps even who is about to be executed. In that moment, the hard reality of death cannot be escaped, and the wish for another chance is fruitless. The inescapability of death and the futility of wanting to turn back the clock is the unavoidable, hard reality that is being called "the low spark of high-heeled boys." In the third verse, it is turned around, because the singer says 'the sound that "I'm" hearing', not the thing that "you're" hearing, as is stated in the other two verses. In this case, the singer is putting the question to the audience: if he gives himself totally to us and becomes completely loving and vulnerable before us, would we do the same? He presumes we would not, and that we'd take advantage of him and walk all over him. In this case, we would be the manifestation of "the low spark of high-heeled boys". In other words, he's showing us a mirror in this verse. To me, therefore, "the low spark of high-heeled boys" is a metaphor for the forces that lay us low in life: selfishness, exploitation, hunger for wealth and power, and ultimately, death ... to name but a few. In spite of our ideals, we all have to stop being "children playing with toys" and to face these forces. And, as the final verse points out, we ourselves, even as victims of these ills, also are agents who bring them into the world. |
|
| Traffic – Berkshire Poppies Lyrics | 20 years ago |
| P.S. -- I meant to also write "... where the poppies 'grow' so pretty" in the refrain. I believe that "grow" is the word that is used in the lyrics, not "are". | |
| Traffic – Berkshire Poppies Lyrics | 20 years ago |
|
I think that the meaning itself is fairly clear: it talks about escaping from the dangers, stress, and hustle of the city into the temporary bliss of "Berkshire", which as far as I can tell, represents a peaceful trip on drugs, especially because of the poppies reference. However, I think that there are some errors in the lyrics as written. I believe that the refrain actually goes like this: Day in the city Oh what a pity I could be in Berkshire where the poppies are so pretty I could be in Berkshire where the poppies are so pretty Let's spend an hour there I wonder'f anyone would care I have another issue with the lyrics. Is the "apple flan" thing really correct? I know that it sounds almost like those are the words being sung, but it doesn't make a lot of sense that way. And did they even have such a thing as apple flan in the cafes of England in 1967, when this song was released? Furthermore, "cafe" doesn't really fit in the final line of that stanza, because it's pronounced with only one syllable in the song. To me, it sounds more like "Sat/Set in the 'cap' on the corner". Does anyone have any ideas about the "apple flan" part and the line that follows? |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.