In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
If you gave me a fresh carnation
I would only crush its tender petals
With me you'll have no escape
And at the same time there'll be nowhere to settle -
I trample down all life in my wake
I eat it up and take the cake
I just avert my eyes to the pain
Of someone's loss helping my gain
If you gave me a dream for my pocket
You'd be plugging in the wrong socket
With me there's no room for the future
With me there's no room with a view at all -
I am out of season all year 'round
Hear machinery roar to my empty sound
Touch my heart and feel winter
Hold my hand and be doomed forever -
If you gave me a fresh carnation
I would only crush its tender petals
With me you'll have no escape
And at the same time there'll be nowhere to settle.
And if you're wondering by now who I am
Look no further than the mirror -
Because I am the Greed and Fear
And every ounce of Hate in you.
I would only crush its tender petals
With me you'll have no escape
And at the same time there'll be nowhere to settle -
I trample down all life in my wake
I eat it up and take the cake
I just avert my eyes to the pain
Of someone's loss helping my gain
If you gave me a dream for my pocket
You'd be plugging in the wrong socket
With me there's no room for the future
With me there's no room with a view at all -
I am out of season all year 'round
Hear machinery roar to my empty sound
Touch my heart and feel winter
Hold my hand and be doomed forever -
If you gave me a fresh carnation
I would only crush its tender petals
With me you'll have no escape
And at the same time there'll be nowhere to settle.
And if you're wondering by now who I am
Look no further than the mirror -
Because I am the Greed and Fear
And every ounce of Hate in you.
Lyrics submitted by planetearth
Carnation Lyrics as written by Paul John Weller
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is a song about Margaret Thatcher and the cruel ideology of the capitalism she represented in 80s Britain. There is supposedly a picture of her holding a carnation somewhere given to her by a child but I haven't seen it.
@andytron according to Wikipedia, the carnation is a symbol of the labor movement & socialism in some European countries. So your interpretation makes sense. For the longest time I always assumed the song was about the destructive nature of conflict and wars
I think this is a song about capitalism and its negative impacts on people in a broad sense. The following lyric in particular leads me to think this is a criticism of the selfishness and cruelty of the system: "I trample down all life in my wake I eat it up and take the cake I just avert my eyes to the pain Of someone's loss helping my gain..."
Also it should be noted that Weller has been a committed socialist for most of his life (still is today) and a lot of his songs reflect his politics. In addition, the symbol of a red carnation and a red rose have been symbols of the socialist and labour movement both in North America and in Europe (possibly;e elsewhere too) for a long time.
lovely song where the keyboard actually works and adds to the sombre mood of the song
This song is about every fucking creep in this world, and there are more than you can count.
Its about Heroin.
Can anyone agree that at certain times in your life, situations, styles, relationships, business etc that certain tracks can define it ? Right now via Youtube, a link appeared on my browser [one of a kind] youtube.com/watch THE JAM & CO - 'CARNATION'
Some of my favourite artists of all time, Weller, Minchella, Craddock, Steve White and the Gallagher Brothers.
This has just typified for me, negativity and the worst of civilised society. I do not believe that you get far in this world with typical characteristics listed throughout the lyrics sung,
Infact, I have seen the complete opposite of people prosper in the Beautiful country of Indonesia and prominently on the Island of Bali,
Bali, where a salvation for commercialism, dominance, ego maniacs, greed and negativity is 'put into place' daily via the constant scatterings of 'offerings' to the Hindu Gods in the shape of various fresh flower petals, together with simple gifts such as an egg, cigarette or commonly, Indonesian coins,
Thank you Paul Weller for writing and making this track, off the top of the head, only 'the Smiths' have matched lyrics and music so effortlessly,
Plus, this track right now has only 'realigned my focus, vision and all'
HatterBaz