submissions

The Black Keys – You're the One Lyrics

12 years ago

Simple, poetic, intimate, sexy. The protagonist confides in his beloved a tender and primal memory; the moment his mother, the one who gave him life, professed her love. He is now free to choose who he invites into his life. On the opposite end of the corporeal story arc, he is choosing the one he hopes to die with. With so many people hedging their bets in love, trying to retain the upper hand, there is strength and beauty in declaring one's desire to go from boyfriend to man-for-life. This song is a moment in time; young love when people are not afraid to utter the word "forever." This song gets me every time. It a panty-dropper that works on the mind, body and soul.

submissions

10cc – I'm Not In Love Lyrics

13 years ago

The lyrics are cryptic enough to reward repeated listening, but I feel like the story is quite simple. How many school boys did you know who loved to string girls along for the sheer ego boost? Asking "why?" is like asking why dogs bark-- they just do. Sure, you see the same behavior in both genders, but since the protagonist in this story is a male let us focus on the "player" type. And I don't necessarily mean the smooth kind. There used to be plenty of Dungeons and Dragons players who had this routine down cold. Doesn't there always seems to be at least one guy in any cohort who makes a sport out of capturing a girl's (or multiple girls') interest only to a.) reject her and b.) repeat. The unfair bit is what typically seems to happen is when the girl figures out she is barking up the wrong tree, the guy's interest is renewed. Instead of letting go, he tries to hook her again, and the cycle continues-- just "because". In the parlance of modern day "pickup artists" the protagonist in our story is "throwing negs." "I have feelings for you-- but they're a silly phase". "If I call you, don't flatter yourself you've got me." "Come here, but you mean nothing to me and I don't wan't to acknowledge whatever our relationship is publicly" and on and on. Classic crazy-making behavior. And the veiled promise "you'll wait a long time for me"-- so she'll get him eventually? Why does this jagoff get to be in the driver's seat? When I hear the "big boys don't cry" portion I think about the guy trying to use tears to manipulate. Also present is the whole "I'm dangerous and damaged" theme, what with the stain on the wall and everything. I'll bet he's a wall-puncher too. It's a good think the music is so beautiful and compelling because this character comes across as quite assy. I've seen so many people get sucked into this kind of push/pull relationship where they didn't know whether they were coming or going with the person. So unappealing.

submissions

Roy Orbison – Running Scared Lyrics

14 years ago

I agree with the prior commentors-- only two comments so far?! Perhaps the most dramatic, near operatic performances of the entire rock era. My take on it though, is the narrator and his new girlfriend are not cheating, but rather he fears she harbors feelings for a former boyfriend. From the lyrics it sounds to me like the former boyfriend is the one who called it quits. ("What would I do If he CAME BACK and wanted you..." "afraid to lose if he CAME BACK which one would you choose...") But the lyrics are ripe for even further speculation. To add a layer of nuance, what if the former boyfriend had not dumped her and had come back from a forced absence, for example serving in the military, college, reform school, jail... whatever. After the long absence the narrator wonders whether his girlfriend's heart grew fonder for the other guy. I love that about about lyrics that, at their surface, are pure and simple like this. They are fertile ground for interpretation and imagination.

submissions

Rod Stewart – You Wear It Well Lyrics

15 years ago

"Sweetly reminiscent," one of my favorite tones. Any bitter feelings surrounding the breakup are gone and the character is simply admiring what great "grown-ups" he and his childhood sweetheart have turned out to be. Ideally he would like another chance with her ("hope after all these years it's the same address"). But if that doesn't work out he still takes comfort in the memory of who they were as a young couple (basement parties, all day rock & roll shows, etc.) and who they have each become. Letting his mind wander back in time and imagining a seeing her again is a nice respite from the work-a-day world ("my coffee's cold and I'm getting told I ought to get back to work...") The song is straightforward enough to not require interpretation, really, but it's such a perfect confection I had to comment.

submissions

The Jam – Thats Entertainment Lyrics	18 years ago
None of Weller's examples were meant to be taken as entertainment-- he is obviously being sarcastic. He is describing the dire conditions of lower class life and what a sorry state it is when police sirens, the smell of petrol, the sounds of a burglary in progress, etc. are your chief form of entertainment. And I believe the lyric is "and the kicking of balls", not "a kick in the balls".

submissions

Nick Drake – Pink Moon Lyrics

18 years ago

I wholeheartedly disagree with the notion that this song is about death. Drake's delivery is playful and the tune is relatively upbeat. At first blush I took this song to mean the moon, like cupid, will eventually nail everybody. Folklore tells us that the Pink Moon corresponds to the full moon in April. It heralds the beginning of spring. As in, "in spring a you man's fancy turns to thoughts of love." April Fools Day also comes to mind because love, at one point or another, makes fools of us all. As far as a possible definition of a "Pink Moon", I found the following from the Farmer's Almanac: "Full Pink Moon - April This name came from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names for this month's celestial body include the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and among coastal tribes the Full Fish Moon, because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn." I have always sensed a kidding, teasing tone in this song. You all need to lighten up on this one ;). If a song of Drake's was ever about death it would most certainly be I Was Made to Love Magic, not Pink Moon.

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