String Bean Jean

This is a fab early Stuart Murdoch classic. The Jo in the song is a one time girlfriend of Stuart's who lived in a flat above the pub/venue Nice 'n' Sleazy's ("the caf"in the lyrics) in Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. It paints a picture of the time, the friendships and feelings of the moment. By the way, Jo did apparently have a pair of jeans as small as that.

It's nice being the first comment, because then I can refer to the lyrics without having to scroll up every five seconds. Heh. Alright. I think this boy is living a nice, lazy life where he just hangs out with these girls and has a gay old time, and it seems that everything is just wonderful. The incorporation of Jo is shrouded by this apparent joyfulness. In reality, Jo is depressed...she spent the summer day inside a sleeping bag, she obviously has an eating disorder. I think the song sort of shows how they are all blind to the fact that she is so screwed up because of how nicely everything is going. I mean, the whole time they are talking about the label on her jeans they say it in a joking and light sort of manner. It's interesting how work interferes with everything in the song...Jo spends the day inside until she has to work, and that's when she has to go outside. The tone of the song changes when the lead has to leave his friends in order to go to work. Still kind of shaky on the overall message of the song, though...all comments open to debate!

Probably, my FAVORITE Belle & Sebastian song. I love how he says "Seven to eight years old...and that's pretty small". It sounds amazing in concert as well.

I know some songs are just "words". Take the New Pornographers...Even some of B/S's songs are just silly rhymes. But this song sounds soo emotional to me that I am just sure that there is a cryptic meaning in it. I just can't begin to figure it out. :-/

Probably, my FAVORITE Belle & Sebastian song. I love how he says "Seven to eight years old...and that's pretty small". It sounds amazing in concert as well.

I know some songs are just "words". Take the New Pornographers...Even some of B/S's songs are just silly rhymes. But this song sounds soo emotional to me that I am just sure that there is a cryptic meaning in it. I just can't begin to figure it out. :-/

yeah and she has her period too, that always makes me depressed as hell and i sleep all day.

how do you know she has her period? or are you joking?

Did I tell you 'bout the one I know, she's on the rag

(To the comment above)

"I had to leave them in the morning I left the keys around the way I had to catch a bus I had to leave them in the morning I left the keys down in the caf' I had to go to work"

I always intepreted this as he's feeling guilty over him not beeing there and that she killed herself and trying to tell himself it's not his fault because he had to go to work.

It's in his tone of his voice but i might be wrong.

I probably am.

anorexia

anorectics can't menstruate, but Jo obviously does have a problem with body- image-- because she IS 'pretty small' but needs affirmation that she's skinny.

Furthermore, I don't think an anorectic would consent to take a bath with others.

I like this song because it's so easy to listen to, but also is serious.
It reminds me very much of some one I once knew, also called Jo.

I also love the rare treat of hearing Stuart Murdoch's Scottish accent peek out on 'leccy bill' !