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And you measure for wealth by the things you can hold
And you measure for love by the sweet things you're told
And you live in the past of a dream that you're in
And your selfishness is your cardinal sin
And you want to be held with highest regard
If he likes you so much
If he's trying so hard
And you're trying to conceal your ordinary way
With a smile or a shrug
Or some stolen cliche
But don't you understand
And don't you look about
I'm trying to take nothing from you
So why should you act so put out, for me
'Cause emotionally, you're the same basic trip
And you know that I know of the times that you've slipped
So don't try to impress me
You're just pins and paint
And don't try to charm me
With things that you ain't
And don't try to enchant me with your manner of dress
'Cause a monkey in silk is a monkey no less
So measure for measure, reflect on my said
And when I won't see 'ya then measure it dead
'Cause don't you understand
And don't you look about
I'm trying to take nothing from you
So why should you act so put out
And sit there and wonder in doubt, for me
And you measure for love by the sweet things you're told
And you live in the past of a dream that you're in
And your selfishness is your cardinal sin
If he likes you so much
If he's trying so hard
And you're trying to conceal your ordinary way
With a smile or a shrug
Or some stolen cliche
And don't you look about
I'm trying to take nothing from you
So why should you act so put out, for me
And you know that I know of the times that you've slipped
So don't try to impress me
You're just pins and paint
And don't try to charm me
With things that you ain't
'Cause a monkey in silk is a monkey no less
So measure for measure, reflect on my said
And when I won't see 'ya then measure it dead
And don't you look about
I'm trying to take nothing from you
So why should you act so put out
And sit there and wonder in doubt, for me
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love this song.
Its a song about the singers mother. I dont know if she is actually Rodriguezs mother in real life. More likely a caricature. Cutting to the bone her weaknesses.
@ChrisWilmott The Mother? Man that's a twisted conclusion: It is obviously about a woman he's trying to dissmis as vain. I hope your thoughs had nothing to do with your relationship with your own mother, I really do.
@ChrisWilmott The Mother? Man that's a twisted conclusion: It is obviously about a woman he's trying to dissmis as vain. I hope your thoughs had nothing to do with your relationship with your own mother, I really do.
It does not matter what my relationships are. Rodriguez was brilliant enough to be writing about more than love songs and drug experiences. He is certainly saying the woman he is writing about is vain, but I dont believe it is a girl friend or wife though. The clues are subtle. "If he likes you so much, if hes tying so hard" references her husband. "and dont you understand and dont you look about" references his mother saying "I understand" in a sarcastic manner to the sons frustrations with some parent/teenager conflict. Her manner of rolling her eyes and looking about expresses her disdain for the teenagers thoughts. I dont think it relates to his actual mother either. I think he is just an insightful observer of human foibles.