| Peter Gabriel – Big Time Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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Wow, I am shocked everyone missed the biggest thing about this song. Didn't anybody notice the irony that a song about being "Big" and "great" uses no polysyllabic words? "The place that I come from is a small town. They think so small, they use small words. but not me." Except he describes his greatness almost completely in monosyllabic words. One of the most fervently ironic (and self-mocking) songs ever written. |
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| Tom Waits – Tom Traubert's Blues (Four Sheets to the Wind in Copenhagen) Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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You are twisting all the alcohol references into a love story. Matilde (besides being a real woman) is the ROAD for a HOBO. What could be more clear than that he is being "stabbed" by Bushmill's Whiskey??? |
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| Tom Waits – Tom Traubert's Blues (Four Sheets to the Wind in Copenhagen) Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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Waltzing Matilda is a hobo's bag. Yes the theme is that the streets are suicide, but not literally. buried the dagger means took a drink of Bushmill's whiskey. I guess you have to have been there to get this. Which you obviously have not been. |
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| Tom Waits – Tom Traubert's Blues (Four Sheets to the Wind in Copenhagen) Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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I came here for an interpretation of the lyrics and you can't even GET THEM RIGHT. Here is what I know for those who want real answers. The biographical background while interesting, is not that relevant. A drunk wants to hit the rails (so to speak) so he borrows money A waltzing Matilda is a hobo's bag on a stick (she follows wherever you may go) justifications and booze bottles (soldier's here) No one speaks English and everything's broken And my suspenders (STACES, not STACY'S) are soaking wet to go cabs and dogs, and stabbing as a dual reference, wanting to die and the "stab" when the booze (Old Bushmill's) hits your throat. Lost my St. Christopher (out of luck) now that I've kissed her Slot machines (one-armed bandit) drug dealers (maverick Chinamen) neon signs (cold-blooded signs) and loose women cannot help. No, I don't want your sympathy Hobos are not as innocent anymore Murder hunts and (ghosts that sell memories?) all want you. sailors, keys and invalids are not free. Matilda (street life) kills. And it's a battered old suitcase to a hotel someplace And a wound that will never heal No prima donna (he means he is a mess here), the perfume is on an old shirt that is stained with blood and whiskey And goodnight to the street sweepers The night watchman flame keepers And goodnight, Matilda, too That's about it. Staces or Braces are suspenders. What does Ghosts who sell memories mean? Antique store or book store people? Or maybe photography studio owners? |
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