| The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – A Jackknife to a Swan Lyrics | 17 years ago |
|
If wikipedia is right, then our protagonist may well indeed have died. The allusion to the swans doesn't necessarily mean that the swans are in any way directly involved in the same... how to say... storyline, for lack of a better word, as Walter. Instead, there seems to be a comparison going on between the statues and the protagonist. o1. Both were disregarded. I don't know much about Boston, but I am familiar with how something can easily be taken for granted or looked over if it's left in the scenery. Sure, any visitor can stop and admire a statue the first or second time passing. But a citizen of Boston might not glance on it nearly so often, disregarding it as a constant. As he worked steadily for thirty years in the same job and never stirred up much fuss in the world, Walter might have been disregarded, as well, as a constant. o2. Both held /some/ importance to /somebody/. As in, their sudden departure was or would be missed. The swan statues, even though possibly passed over, were sorely missed by the Boston folk. Similarly, the family, slumbering as the events in the song take place, would miss Walter just as horridly, if not more so. o3. Both left their respected places abruptly and inexplicably. The cryptic verse leading up to Walter's leap left for some clarification to be desired, certainly. No one can be sure exactly who was following him or exactly what went wrong. Of course, no one knows what happened to the swan statues, either. Finally, there comes the matter of how they left. As tempguy so aptly pointed out, "jackknife" has the connotation of abruptness and violence, as was the manner of Walter's (assumed) death. But theft can be just as violent and sudden, couldn't it? And couldn't the statues have been destroyed, as well? How this affects the meaning of the song, that's entirely up to you. If you agree with me, fine. If you don't, fine. This is just what's right for me, and I felt like speaking out about one of my favorite Bosstones song. |
|
| The Killers – My List Lyrics | 19 years ago |
|
This is the first song that ever made me cry. Alright, so let's say this guy is in love with this girl, okay? Well, the girl doesn't know or realize it, and the guy is too scared to say anything about it. Jump forward, and the girl is about to die, for some reason. The guy finally realizes that it's now or never to admit his love for her. Don't give the ghost up -- don't die Just clench your fist -- cling to life a bit longer You should have known by now -- you should've realized by now You were on my list -- that I loved you. |
|
| The Killers – This River Is Wild Lyrics | 19 years ago |
|
This song is about sin (in comparison to a river,) at least to me. The singer is listening to this authority figure, who's telling him he needs to turn his life around, because it's going all wrong. ("I heard a story from a man in red... son I think you’d better go ahead.") Also, about the "man in red" part... it sounds like the advise offerer is being compared to a fireman. ("You better run for the hills before they burn.") But, the singer also wants to help his friend, too, as they're going on the same path he is. ("I just want to show you what I know and catch you when the current lets you go. ") So the singer is trying to decide if he should help himself at all. ("Or should I just get along with myself? I never did get along with everybody else. ") He's also saying that, even though he's trying hard, it's difficult for him to give up his habit of sin, and destruction, as it's so easy to destroy (watch the clouds fall) than not. ("I’ve been trying hard to do what’s right. But you know I could stay here all night and watch the clouds fall from the sky. Well this river is wild..") He's ashamed of getting help, but he knows he needs to stop his way of life. ("Sometimes I’m nervous when I talk, shake a little. Sometimes I hate the line I walk.") So, he starts talking about another person who has problems, too. Or, maybe he's just talking about himself... ("Now Adam’s taking bombs and he’s stuck on his mom because that bitch keeps trying to make him pray. He’s with the hippy in the park combing over the dark just trying to get some of the little girl play.") Suddenly, the singer realizes that he's not so alone on how he lives his life, and he can see that many people are in the same predictament he is. ("Now the cars are everywhere, lacing dust at the fairgrounds. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many headlights.") And now, he wants to back to his old life. ("But there’s something pulling me.") He pays tribute to the people who make life a little more bearable to people like him, even if they're only in your life for a small amount of time. ("The circus and their crew, well they’re just passing through, just making sure that merry still goes ‘round.") He remarks that from how much he's improved, going back to his sinful habits would really be a hard fall. ("But it’s a long, long, long way down.") Sorry, that's my first time ever really analyzing lyrics, so it's probably not very good... n_n;. |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.