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Chest Fever Lyrics
I know she's a tracker
Any scarlett would back her
They say she's a chooser
Ooh, but I just can't refuse her
She was just there, but then
She can't be here no more
Chorus:
And as my mind unweaves,
I feel the freeze down in my knees
But just before she leaves,
She receives
She's been down in the dunes
And she's dealt with the goons
Now she drinks from a bitter cup
Tryin' to get her to give it up
She was just here, I fear,
She can't be here no more
(Chorus)
It's a long, long when she's gone
I get weary holding on
Now I'm coldly, fading fast
I don't think I'm gonna last
Very much longer
"She's stoned," said the Swede
And the moon calf agreed
I'm like a viper in shock
With my eyes in the clock
She was just there, somewhere
And here I am again
(Chorus)
Any scarlett would back her
They say she's a chooser
Ooh, but I just can't refuse her
She was just there, but then
She can't be here no more
And as my mind unweaves,
I feel the freeze down in my knees
But just before she leaves,
She receives
And she's dealt with the goons
Now she drinks from a bitter cup
Tryin' to get her to give it up
She was just here, I fear,
She can't be here no more
I get weary holding on
Now I'm coldly, fading fast
I don't think I'm gonna last
Very much longer
And the moon calf agreed
I'm like a viper in shock
With my eyes in the clock
She was just there, somewhere
And here I am again
Song Info
Copyright
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Writer
Jaime Robertson
Duration
5:13
Producer
John Simon
Release date
Sep 22, 1968
Sentiment
Positive
Submitted by
airforbes1 On Apr 07, 2006
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
A song about a prostitute he develops an attachment to. I know he said the lyrics were just knockoff but maybe later in life didn't want to own them.
"I know she's a tracker " Track is a slang term for location where prostitutes attract customers.
"Any style that would back her" Any style you want if you have the cash.
"They say she's a chooser (or juicer makes more sense)" Friends tell him she is an alcoholic. Nothing but trouble but...
"But I just can't refuse her" She is good at it or he has developed an infatuation with her.
"She was just there, but then she can't be here no more" Job finished. She is off to other customers.
"And as my mind unwheels I feel the freeze down in my knees But just before she leaves, she receives"
Every man knows the freeze right before he ejaculates. She receives his ejaculate and leaves.
"She's been down in the dunes And she's dealt with the goons" She has been working in some sleazy place where she services goons
"Now she drinks from a bitter cup. I'm trying to get her to give it up." She is giving blowjobs but he wants her to be his girlfriend.
"It's long, long when she's gone I get weary holding on Now I'm coldly fading fast I don't think I'm gonna last very much longer" He is infatuated and has a hard time being without her
"She's stoned said the Swede, And the moon calf agreed" Casual comments from observers who are not infatuated.
"But I'm like a viper in shock With my eyes in the clock" She charges by the hour maybe?
@arnold1056 Hope you see this. You're dead on.
@arnold1056 Hope you see this. You're dead on.
As robbie robertson is well quoted on this, it's a work lyric that never got finished - and why would you bother, given the wonderful sound of it! That organ, the urgent harmonies.
The break in the middle is astounding, and that guitar figure playing against it...what an outrageous bunch of talent.
Why has no one commented on this song?!! It has such awesome organ in it, and oh man...it's just...GREAT.
According to the liner notes of "Music From Big Pink" (great abumn btw) you will see the Robbie Robertson said these lyrics are actually just nonsense. Basically, they were filler lyrics used to develop the song, but the band enjoyed them so much the way they were that they just decided to keep them. It isn't surprising since Robertson was masterful at painting half completed imagery leaving alot to the imagination of the listener. This is indicative of his story telling style...for example see "To Kingdom Come" and "The Ballad of Pepote Rogue". Both of these tracks smack of religious symbolism and mythology without being directly about anything. Robertson was a brilliant song writer...Just another reason why I say they are one of the most underrated bands ever.
@mrMojoRisen Everyone needs to read what you've said here. It's from the horse's mouth. The lyrics are nonsense. They fit the meter of the song and rhyme where appropriate.
@mrMojoRisen Everyone needs to read what you've said here. It's from the horse's mouth. The lyrics are nonsense. They fit the meter of the song and rhyme where appropriate.
Doesn't make the song any less cool - it's one of my favorite songs. A groove that lasts for days. It's just that it's a fact that there is no deeper meaning.
Doesn't make the song any less cool - it's one of my favorite songs. A groove that lasts for days. It's just that it's a fact that there is no deeper meaning.
Reminds me a bit of one of my other Top 5 all-time favorite bands, Yes. Very few of their lyrics from "The Yes Album" on make any sense at all. They just used words that sounded "good" or rhythmic...
Reminds me a bit of one of my other Top 5 all-time favorite bands, Yes. Very few of their lyrics from "The Yes Album" on make any sense at all. They just used words that sounded "good" or rhythmic or melodic, and as I said in reference to "Chest Fever," fit the meter and rhyme where appropriate.
I thought he said She
likes cheese and crackersin the opening line. A mondegreen I guessI think it's a song about an acid trip. The Band was a Psychedelic Rock band after all.
Nobody has mentioned the significance of the title.
Yes, I agree Chest Fever is about a prostitute, but the title of the song provides the key as to why the narrator is so infatuated with her: She has amazing boobs, which give him "Chest Fever" aka a burning need for them.
Basically, it's a song about a prostitute. In case you're wondering what a "moon calf" is, it's a fool or a freak.
Not the trademark "The Band" sound, but an absolutely confection. Check out Three Dog Nights cover, a monster in its own right.
Prostitute?! I don’t think so! They were The Band!!! Why in the world would they Ever had to call on a prostitute.