| Elliott Smith – Baby Britain Lyrics | 14 years ago |
|
Everyone talking about Britain vs America is stupid. It's a metaphor, learn some basic interpretation skills. Nobody seems to mention the stanza talking about a revolver being "ready once again" and "nothings gunna drag me down to a death that's not worth cheating for." How does that fit into the interpretation about it being about an alcoholic friend? Also, the line "For someone half as smart you'd be a work of art" to me sounds like an insult, saying that you aren't a work of art to me, but maybe someone that is half as smart as me could think you are great. However, I can't find any basis for that interpretation except the emotion I feel from this song, so I could be wrong. I agree with the one person who said that it's describes playing Russian Roulette over shots of vodka. This is a song about self-destruction, but (obviously since he wrote the song) with an understanding of this. The speaker ends up questioning whether he will allow himself to be dragged down to committing suicide instead of fighting. I think the speaker compares himself with an alcoholic he sees/knows, and decides that just giving up is pitiful and that you have to try to help yourself and not cheat life and take the easy way out. This doesn't make it an optimistic song, however. It is written from the verge of self-destruction. |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.