| Robyn Hitchcock – Flesh Number One (Beatle Dennis) Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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Verses 1 and 3 are almost identical; but they are different in a hugely important way. Verse 1 is the most "general" and also the most "selfish" - whether the house burning down is some generic tragedy, or a reference to the Talking Heads, it doesn't really matter; "we" are in luck, because it doesn't appear to affect us either way. Here, as in verse 3, we are reminded that worrying doesn't change anything, because nothing has any meaning. Verse 2 brings in some more specific concepts about the relationship of the art, artist, and receivers of the art; it, like many of Hitchcock's lyrics, is subtle but very pointed - the studio is being destroyed, but again, luck prevails and "we" aren't there, but somewhere else! Here, rather than observe the "worrying" about ourselves, we are reminded that everyone wishes so much upon themselves; self-fulfilling prophecies as well as "making our own beds", and not being careful what we wish for... then comes the very pointed final couplet: you are helpless to make him "come again". Double Entendre time, of course; both meanings seem to be equally weighted here: 1. He is his own governance, you can't make him return, if he does it's his own choice. 2. The sexual one. Verse 3 is excellent because it only differs in one word from Verse 1; but that word makes all the difference! A far cry from the Beatles' "Love is all you need" - in this case, it's merely that love is enough of a distraction from the tragedies of the world (or, from the Talking Heads, if you prefer) - but this too, doesn't mean anything at all. It is a very utilitarian point about love, although it doesn't mean anything, it serves a purpose, it gives us something to do. |
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