submissions
| David Bowie – The Man Who Sold the World Lyrics
| 4 months ago
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in order to sell the world you gotta own it Unless you a con man . Its certainly about a young man searching for his later identity as Bowie says that himself . Ultimately its about control as opposed to madness Ultimate control is very close to madness Bowie knew that because of his brother. The sphere of the mind is round .Good song . |
submissions
| Elvis Costello – Clown Strike Lyrics
| 1 year ago
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why does elvis change the perspective all the time ? I mean for instance / who is getting some pride ? What is this about ? A love affair between a circus girl and a circus clown ? And an analogy of a relationship of uncommunicated demands ? |
submissions
| Ultravox – Hymn Lyrics
| 1 year ago
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I would agree that the song and video explores the difference between whats promised and whats delivered ( as stated above ) but its confusing that whats promised is the bad diabolical stuff in the first verse and the good stuff (maybe ) in the second verse . If thats true the chorus means two entirely different things seen as a responsive call , if you see my point . After the first verse its a " maybe personal "wish (prayer) against diabolical forces prevailing , after the second verse its a maybe personal prayer or yearning for the arrival of a golden time ( without defiance ) . There could be many interpretations / contexts that this could relate to , also maybe a historical narrative . All in all , very clever but not sure I agree |
submissions
| Tears for Fears – Pale Shelter Lyrics
| 1 year ago
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the song is obviously about a subjective sense of rejection and the object is open to some interpretation I would really like to know the connotations on the word 'pale' in this context ( Im not english ) but I understand it as superficial / just (or rather not ) sufficient which makes me think of a parent - child/teen relation . But the theme about ' completely in command' suggest problems of navigating in a relationship , a feeling of ones affections simply not being met .Young people with child 'trauma' obviously seek shelter in love but people without trauma dont 'get it' Im pretty sure the double meanings are intentional and biographically inspired , probably linked to Janov . Clever stuff |
submissions
| David Bowie – John, I'm Only Dancing Lyrics
| 1 year ago
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John = everone whoever cared = could be anybody like drummer John = fourth wall = ( could be Lennon reference , that would be clever but oblique)
The menage au troi here is Annie, Joe and the narrator Annie represent girls Joe guys ( possibly gay guys)
Dancing means sex , loveor the act of seduction (oh lordy). its about being bisexual . Its not (necessarily or importantly ) a sitcom / a specific situation , its pure symbolism . Its about Bowie being part of gay community and also standing out (t)here as different , ie hes bi and wherever he 'goes' has to explain himself ( but im only dancing ) |
submissions
| Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart Lyrics
| 1 year ago
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A Responsw to 'Love will keep us together ' and obviously an elaborate ,graphic one A precise and razorsharp depiction and reflection on a relationship crisis / estrangement .. Very biographical Curtis lays it bare without spilling it out No mean feat |
submissions
| The Rolling Stones – Paint It Black Lyrics
| 1 year ago
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Its about loss of love / grievance. She could be dead she could be not Its not important It could be an abstract object of love - like love of western society lost but thats on the beholder . Theres no turning back anyway , unless the sun sets twice or something dreamlike . Theres no real hope so signs of life are provocative : Paint It Black |
submissions
| Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over Lyrics
| 2 years ago
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I agree this works as a relationship song but really isnt The song is about hardship and hope and the context is up for grabs
There us a line i am struggling with , which I think is transcripted wrong even on Neil Finns site I DONT GET IT and it does not sound like hes singing it
I am referring to the line ' Barely clearing the roof '
Theres no f in his pronounciation and he may say 'Barely' , but he sure isnt saying a british 'clearing'
It sounds moe like 'Theyre declaring the room ' ( or the rue ) which would actually make some sense , the future shadows taling his space. It would imply a full stop onto the next line though
Help me please on this one Its driving me nuts |
submissions
| David Bowie – Ricochet Lyrics
| 3 years ago
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This song is about the way the world works. As it says ‘Its NOT the end if the world. ‘ pPragmatic hard work and. industry that throught its daily practical hell unravels peoples lifes and Dreams. And how you must crush your ideals to do so (Turn the holy picture) Ricochet. Its like the antithesis to the title track of the album. The dark underside to the romance of Lets Dance . Its an important track. |
submissions
| New Order – Touched By The Hand Of God Lyrics
| 3 years ago
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@[LittleBigMan:40424] The word sexual is then a bit odd. I guess a platonic love can come so deep that lines blur in retrospect. A bit far fetched. But the rest sure fits \r\nHm I guess you can call a touch sexual. In that sense its really clever |
submissions
| New Order – Touched By The Hand Of God Lyrics
| 3 years ago
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@[LittleBigMan:40423] The word sexual is then a bit odd. I guess a platonic love can come so deep that lines blur in retrospect. A bit far fetched. Butthe rest sure fits |
submissions
| Elvis Costello – Welcome To The Working Week Lyrics
| 4 years ago
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This is the opener of my aim is true. An album that has Costello present an artistic personae of an angry young man and part of this anger is directed at the perceived questionable choices of people he obviously cares about. He cares about a girl friend in this song but dont care for the way she goes about her business. Certainly he attacks his girl friend in the lyrics for being shallow and naughty. It does not present himself as particularly generous in his views. Maybe he does not feel she puts work in the relationship.
On the surface its not about work other than an analogy for their common "business" . Its not about work other than a discipline from him for her pastime excesses her lack of protestant work ethic. He is disciplining her morally and not taking her outreached hand. Maybe because she’s sexually attractive but he just want his friendship.Shes selling her body but not giving her soul. Maybe because shes just very different to him. Maybe both simultaneously. She is "the unbearable lightnessvof being". He is the poor hard worker.She is the dubious angel he is the pure hearted devil. Its a mirage of their relationship and hes "not satisfied" (as he sings on "Blame it on cain" about the blame games we play)
The opening line does not have to be taking literally. It just means she is showing off to his despair.
This dichotomy in relations of the album personae (Costello himself as “fiction” - the angry genius nerd) runs as a thread throughout the album. “Sometimes I wish I could stop you from talking when I hear the silly things you say “ he sings on Alison being cruel and kind . Even the title of the album MY AIM IS TRUE points to sincerety and aggression at the same time and on Watching the detectives you dont know what hes shooting at! The girl or the world. Himself or others ? Does he love the world or does he hate it ?
In this way its a concept album. About the angry young mans relationship with the world. On this song WTTWW the relation to the girl IS therefore a view on the "working week" as a concept.
Work is not a pristine or homemaking thing. You basically sell your body or your soul or you hurt others for your benefits "you kill to survive". This is what the angry young man is rreally angry about. and on top of it "she doesnt even get it ! Irony is rich and so is EC. But as I said he is not particularly likeable and the genius of this album is - Hes not even trying! Its the undercore values of a society of peace ,love and understanding that saves Costello from just being a jerk and that was the fine line of his image in the early days of his career - before he hit his own bliss and mellowed down with age. |
submissions
| Elvis Costello – Welcome To The Working Week Lyrics
| 4 years ago
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This is the opener of my aim is true. An album that has Costello present an artistic personae of an angry young man and part of this anger is directed at the perceived questonable choices of people he obviously cares about. He cares about a girl friend in this song but dont care for the way she goes about her business. The opening line does not have to be taking literally. It just means shes showing off to his despair. Certainly he attacks his girl friend in the lyrics for being shallow and naughty. It does not present himself as particularly generous in his views. Maybe he does not feel she puts work in the relationship. Its not about work other than an analogy for her pastime excesses. Hes disciplining her morally and not taking her outreached hand. Maybe because she’s sexually attractive but just want his friendship. Maybe because shes just very different to him. Maybe both simultaneously. Shes the unbearable lightness of being. He is the poor hard worker. Its a mirage of their relationship and hes This is the opener of my aim is true. An album that has Costello present an artistic personae of an angry young man and part of this anger is directed at the perceived questonable choices of people he obviously cares about. He cares about a girl friend in this song but dont care for the way she goes about her business. Certainly he attacks his girl friend in the lyrics for being shallow and naughty. It does not present himself as particularly generous in his views. Maybe he does nit feel she puts work in the relationship. Its not about work other than an analogy for her Hes disciplining her morally and nit taking her outreached hand. Maybe because she’s sexually attractive but just want his friendship. Maybe because shes just very different to him. Maybe both simultaneously. Shes the unbearable lightness if being. He is the poor hard worker. Its a mirage of their relationship and hes not satisfied.
This dichotomy in relations of the personae runs as a thread throughout the album. Sometimes I wish I could stop you from talking when I hear the silly things you say he sings on Alison. Even the title of the album points to sincerety and aggression at the same time |
submissions
| Elvis Costello – Welcome To The Working Week Lyrics
| 4 years ago
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This is the opener of my aim is true. An album that has Costello present an artistic personae of an angry young man and part of this anger is directed at the perceived questonable choices of people he obviously cares about. He cares about a girl friend in this song but dont care for the way she goes about her business. Certainly he attacks his girl friend in the lyrics for being shallow and naughty. It does not present himself as particularly generous in his views. Maybe he does nit feel she puts work in the relationship. Its not about work other than an analogy for her Hes disciplining her morally and nit taking her outreached hand. Maybe because she’s sexually attractive but just want his friendship. Maybe because shes just very different to him. Maybe both simultaneously. Shes the unbearable lightness if being. He is the poor hard worker. Its a mirage of their relationship and hes not satisfied.
This dichotomy in relations of the personae runs as a thread throughout the album. Sometimes I wish I could stop you from talking when I hear the silly things you say he sings on Alison. Even the title of the album points to sincerety and aggression at the same time |
submissions
| Elvis Costello – Welcome To The Working Week Lyrics
| 4 years ago
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This is the opener of my aim is true. An album that has Costello present an artistic personae of an angry young man and part of this anger is directed at the perceived questonable choices of people he obviously cares about. He cares about a girl friend in this song but dont care for the way she goes about her business. Certainly he attacks his girl friend in the lyrics for being shallow and naughty. It does not present himself as particularly generous in his views. Maybe he does nit feel she puts work in the relationship. Its not about work other than an analogy for her Hes disciplining her morally and nit taking her outreached hand. Maybe because she’s sexually attractive but just want his friendship. Maybe because shes just very different to him. Maybe both simultaneously. Shes the unbearable lightness if being. He is the poor hard worker. Its a mirage of their relationship and hes not satisfied.
This dichotomy in relations of the personae runs as a thread throughout the album. Sometimes I wish I could stop you from talking when I hear the silly things you say he sings on Alison. Even the title of the album points to sincerety and aggression at the same time |
submissions
| Elvis Costello – Welcome To The Working Week Lyrics
| 4 years ago
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This is the opener of my aim is true. An album that has Costello present an artistic personae of an angry young man and part of this anger is directed at the perceived questonable choices of people he obviously cares about. He cares about a girl friend in this song but dont care for the way she goes about her business. Certainly he attacks his girl friend in the lyrics for being shallow and naughty. It does not present himself as particularly generous in his views. Maybe he does nit feel she puts work in the relationship. Its not about work other than an analogy for her Hes disciplining her morally and nit taking her outreached hand. Maybe because she’s sexually attractive but just want his friendship. Maybe because shes just very different to him. Maybe both simultaneously. Shes the unbearable lightness if being. He is the poor hard worker. Its a mirage of their relationship and hes not satisfied.
This dichotomy in relations of the personae runs as a thread throughout the album. Sometimes I wish I could stop you from talking when I hear the silly things you say he sings on Alison. Even the title of the album points to sincerety and aggression at the same time |
submissions
| Elvis Costello – Welcome To The Working Week Lyrics
| 4 years ago
|
This is the opener of my aim is true. An album that has Costello present an artistic personae of an angry young man and part of this anger is directed at the perceived questonable choices of people he obviously cares about. He cares about a girl friend in this song but dont care for the way she goes about her business. Certainly he attacks his girl friend in the lyrics for being shallow and naughty. It does not present himself as particularly generous in his views. Maybe he does nit feel she puts work in the relationship. Its not about work other than an analogy for her Hes disciplining her morally and nit taking her outreached hand. Maybe because she’s sexually attractive but just want his friendship. Maybe because shes just very different to him. Maybe both simultaneously. Shes the unbearable lightness if being. He is the poor hard worker. Its a mirage of their relationship and hes not satisfied.
This dichotomy in relations of the personae runs as a thread throughout the album. Sometimes I wish I could stop you from talking when I hear the silly things you say he sings on Alison. Even the title of the album points to sincerety and aggression at the same time |
submissions
| The Beatles – Rocky Raccoon Lyrics
| 6 years ago
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This song is lyricwise not meant to be taken to seriously, it is a mock about in form. Thats not tosay its trite or nonsensical. Its quite clever below the surface of its straightdorwardness. Its obviously a song motif about romantic defeat, hitting rock bottom, but it not actually killing you. And Ithink its correct that its mccarttney trying to be americana , as a joke, as a dylan reference , all that. Its obviously not about religion. Gideons bible is a symbol of loneliness , a brillian one. Rocky has nowt all, an empty hotel room, no girl and just the bible for (comic) relief. Or ironic. As for the girl having three names its just a blatant satire over americana. A good joke. Its kind of a tribute to america with a bit of teasing, and yet the chorus is so british beatlesesque , he doesnt quite pull it off, which adds to the charm of the song |
submissions
| Leonard Cohen – First We Take Manhattan Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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@[thetrogg:3571] (myself) i read (below)that the monkey could be the body , and in that case the you of thesong could be god - which makes for another) interesting take on the song. |
submissions
| Leonard Cohen – First We Take Manhattan Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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"the world put me on standby
for being subversive
time to get even" (the first three lines
is definetely the mindset of an extremist being introduced. The issue here is the 1. background for being an extremist 2. the means of weaponry so to speak and 3. the target for getting even and finally 4. the "you, we and them " in the song.
These four themes are not easy to decipher - and thats on purpose! The song is meant to be "flexible" to different thematic Universes" , depending on your interpretation of the 4 points.
Now the background (1) could be the holocaust (I dont like your fashion business mister referring to nazi treatment of jews) = (I dont like what happened to my sister) / It could be the artist soul living in confined and conformed societal strains (remember me I brought your groceries in) or ( the monkey and the plywood violin as a sarcastic remark to a gift meant well but mocking him as an entertainer) / it could be the embittered lover (Its fathers day and everybodys wounded) . The interesting thing is that it could be all these thing jumbled together. Because thats what extremist and confused minds do - they jumble everything together.
As for point 2 the same thing goes: the weapons could be real, they could be musical instruments or just a concept like "tactics to get attention" - it could be the monkey and violin ( now understood as tools for attention). Here its interesting (point 4) if "we" the listeners are his adversaries - we are tangled along for the ride by field commandor cohen. In opposition stand the "you" of the song but the "you" of the song is definetetely the lover and shes not on board voluntarily to cohens scheme of things (you know the way to stop me) - but she might not be able to resist and neither can "we " as listeners - Its the rhetoric of the master of seduction leading us all - lover and stranger" on his crusade ---
As for point 3 the targets of Manhattan and Berlin are of course exceptionally interesting and for me it has a lot to do with showbusiness and powers of finance and politics . Now ofc theres also no way of avoiding the interpretation of revenge on Berlin for WW2 of the jewish exils ,but its not the main theme of the song , which trajects the soulsearching and conquest of a poet. History is a metalevel - a background to a private story - like slideshow behind a rockshow underlining the legitimacy or not of the artistic quest. But in the jumbled mind of a selfconfessed loon or extremist- which has a paradoxicaL paralel to the biography of Hitler ofc - but everybody knows that this "tyrant" mind is a loving poet, wise entertainer who is seriosly concerned of the way of the world
Cohen himself have said that the song is about longing - longing to take over the world - and be recognised from deep deep down in the pits of our souls . Its this metalevel that has made the song so popular. It reflects a very human endeavour - and has nothing to do with Terrorism, but everything to do with the warriors of our souls wanting to change the world in the short life span we have at our disposal |
submissions
| Simple Minds – Speed Your Love To Me Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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and to elaborate: "Love to feel the free world turn tonight" - the world turning is the speed of love/life. Flames is life seen as fire - energy and death.
"Run till we come, till we be.". Very philosophical wording about being "born " (come) and existing (to be = fire) |
submissions
| Simple Minds – Speed Your Love To Me Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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I agree with the lovesickness. but it could (also) be more symbolistic. Think of the "I" as man and the "she" as earth. Speed is not amphetamine but adrenalin IMO |
submissions
| Ultravox – Vienna Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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Midge Ures explanation in the youtube clip (see comment below) basically explains the song, The song is about the memory of a love affair fading. Initially I thought it was the other way around: The memories of Vienna fading but the love to the girl (only you and I) staying intact. Not the case - its the love affair turning into a collection of sensations and losing meaning. so thats nice one sorted.
However its true, as also commented on, that the underlying - or meta - theme is alienation meets romance and that fits perfectly in with the new romantics. As such its a great story in tune with the 80s zeitgeist. However it also reveals the airless hole that Ultravox never escaped from - encapsulated in the engraved line "It means nothing to me " |
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