| The Replacements – Bastards Of Young Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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I've read various takes on this & other Replacements lyrics... a bit. Yeah... I've spent some time addicted to the Mats. Nevermind that. ;) For the most part I think that the Mats' more debatable lyrics are easily more decipherable than guessed. And, though it may be reprehensible to turn the volume down whilst listening, ya (or, I) kinda have to. On this wonderful little ditty, here's my take on some of it. Hear me out... Paul understands grammar, common verbiage, slang, and certainly how to use common and uncommon contractions. Just as with other great lyricists, his references are easily understandable, likely because he conveyed himself properly, without taking it for granted, and without being lazy about it. The combination of "there'll ain't", for instance. "Ain't" and "there'll" are both commonly used words. But, "There'll ain't" used together? No... they don't work together, and ya can't force them to fake it. "There'll" (there will) "ain't" (is not) "no beer tonight" / "There will is not no beer tonight" is what that means together, and which doesn't mean anything. Unfortunately, "there'll ain't" is a common lyric people have stuck to on the second verse of this song. "Elvis in the ground. No waitin' on beer tonight." This song, most would agree, celebrates the generation for whom it is written (ie: "We are the sons of no one", "...take it, it's yours"). With that, Paul would seem to, with respect, acknowledge that Elvis is dead. And, that Elvis' association is to a past generation. (Key words: past generation.) That being said, the generation that "Bastards of Young" refers to is undeniably different than the generation that is related with Elvis. However, "Bastards of Young" are just as relevant as the past generation, even though we bastards may not know or feel relevant. "That past generation has gone... time to celebrate our own generation! A round of drinks for we bastards of young! No waiting on beer tonight!" "Unwillingness'd claim us. Ya got no war to name ours." Basically, it's Paul's reiteration of the "bastards" theme, with a dab of paradox to confirm it. "Unwillingness'd (unwillingness would) claim us"... the simple apathy of unwillingness would claim us, if it could. Which, still, means we're bastards... because unwillingness is apathetic by its own nature. And, lastly, as with wars that were/are easily attributed to other generations, there is no particular war that can be attributed to the bastards of young generation... the generation Paul's referring to by simply using the lyric "ours". Gawd, I love these songs! |
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| Mother Hips – Jess OXOX Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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Aha! Thanks for the corrections. Much appreciated, and posted. |
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