The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
When we first met I didn't know what to do
My old love lines were all worn out on you
And the world walked 'round my mouth
They lit me up and they snuffed me out
And I was everybody's boy
But soon that thrill just fades
To be the love of one true heart
Or the jack of all parades
You won't know who to thank
You won't know who to blame
It's just a part of the murdering game
'Cause down in the fleshpots
Where they pay you in pounds
They're laughing like drains
And baying like bloodhounds
For the jack of all parades
For the jack of all parades
Once I knew a girl
That looked so much like Judy Garland
That people would stop and give her money
And everybody was Frankie, Jimmy or Bobby
Not the jack, not the jack of all parades,
Oh the jack, the jack of all parades,
Oh the jack, of all parades.
Well the way that I feel is no longer news
You know my love and how to refuse it
'Cause you know where the door is
And how to use it
Oh you know you do
From my checkered past
To this shattered terrace
Where you can't keep your mind off
The crimes of Paris
And you can't keep your peace
Try to forget it
And I can't forgive you
For things you haven't done yet
I was anybody's boy
But soon that thrill just fades
To be the love of one true heart
Or the jack of all parades
When we first met I didn't know what to do
My old love lines were all worn out on you
And the world walked 'round my mouth
I didn't mean to say it
I just blurted it out
And you pretended not to notice
Or be taken aback
And I loved you there and then
It's as simple as that
Oh I was everybody's boy
But soon that thrill just fades
For to be the love of one true heart
Or the jack of all parades
To be the love of one true heart
Or the jack of all parades
Oh the jack of all parades
My old love lines were all worn out on you
And the world walked 'round my mouth
They lit me up and they snuffed me out
And I was everybody's boy
But soon that thrill just fades
To be the love of one true heart
Or the jack of all parades
You won't know who to thank
You won't know who to blame
It's just a part of the murdering game
'Cause down in the fleshpots
Where they pay you in pounds
They're laughing like drains
And baying like bloodhounds
For the jack of all parades
For the jack of all parades
Once I knew a girl
That looked so much like Judy Garland
That people would stop and give her money
And everybody was Frankie, Jimmy or Bobby
Not the jack, not the jack of all parades,
Oh the jack, the jack of all parades,
Oh the jack, of all parades.
Well the way that I feel is no longer news
You know my love and how to refuse it
'Cause you know where the door is
And how to use it
Oh you know you do
From my checkered past
To this shattered terrace
Where you can't keep your mind off
The crimes of Paris
And you can't keep your peace
Try to forget it
And I can't forgive you
For things you haven't done yet
I was anybody's boy
But soon that thrill just fades
To be the love of one true heart
Or the jack of all parades
When we first met I didn't know what to do
My old love lines were all worn out on you
And the world walked 'round my mouth
I didn't mean to say it
I just blurted it out
And you pretended not to notice
Or be taken aback
And I loved you there and then
It's as simple as that
Oh I was everybody's boy
But soon that thrill just fades
For to be the love of one true heart
Or the jack of all parades
To be the love of one true heart
Or the jack of all parades
Oh the jack of all parades
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This song is about being with many women or just one, give or take lol
But what really intersts me are the lines that seem to be referring to Jack the Ripper:
"It's just a part of the Murdering Game 'Cos down in the fleshpots"
and
"the Crimes of Paris"
any thoughts??
Costello has another song called "Crimes of Paris" on Blood & Chocolate. I've always taken both references to be about the mythological Paris, who fell in love with Helen of Troy, which led to the start of the Trojan war. Seems to fit since it's about betrayal and love, but the Jack the Ripper angle is interesting, too, especially with the reference to fleshpots.