| Johnny Flynn – Leftovers Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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The primary theme is the protagonist is desperately seeking sex, with food as metaphor. The fish and sardine references are familiar euphemisms for...well let me put it this way: a blind guy walks by the fish cart and says, "afternoon ladies." As squander pointed out, the album has numerous references to vagabonds in a celebratory tone, particularly The Box, and this song continues those devices. We have images to suggest perhaps he's an actual vagabond, or can be taken as his horniness has made him as desperate as a beggar. I believe the writer is deliberately not committing to a particular interpretation, and rather hints that the protagonist may well be an actual beggar as well as begging for a shagging. "And these hungry voices make a lot of noise inside my head" could simply be he's so horny he can't think of anything else, or could be the trials of the emotionally disturbed. "been hanging round the underground" where panhandlers often are found, or it could be metaphorical for on the prowl. Are the crumbs scraps to eat, or interactions with potential girls. "The rubbish dump and the bins at closing time" he could be dumpster diving for his dinner, or simply willing to bang any broad no matter how trashy. This second interpretation is born out by the next line of walking a mile for a smile (vertical I assume) from a fish (the old sardine) without its brine (knickers removed?). This couplet is repeated again near the end showing its importance to the theme. Along comes Mary May, a girl who likes the spring, and leaves her crusts of toasts. Again the double interpretation: she's more well to do, not so hungry, she even leaves her crusts, and she's getting some, as we learn after the 1st chorus that she's been seeing a man named Jim. Leftovers…a rebound relationship? Sloppy seconds? Essentially, I don’t need a meal, I just want to get laid/fed. She’s got a guy, he don’t care, “glasses for the blind” are used as a courtesy to the sighted to hide the eyes. He thinks he’s got her. “Kind to kind…Locked the door, dropped the latch” Ok, I must go now. |
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