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The Amorous Humphrey Plugg Lyrics
Hello Mr. Big Shot
Say, you're looking smart
I've had a tiring day
I took the kids along to the park
You've become a stranger
Every night with the boys
Got a new suit
That old smile's come back
And I kiss the children good night
And I slip away on the newly waxed floor
I've become a giant
I fill every street
I dwarf the rooftops
I hunchback the moon
Stars dance at my feet
Leave it all behind me
Screaming kids on my knee
And the telly swallowing me
And the neighbor shouting next door
And the subway trembling the roller-skate floor
I seek the buildings blazing with moonlight
In Channing Way
Their very eyes seem to suck you in with their laughter
They seem to say
You're all right now
So stop a while behind our smile
In Channing Way
Oh to die of kisses
Ecstasies and charms
Pavements of poets will write that I died
In nine angel's arms
And they all were smiling
Still seductive as sin in their eyes
The man I had been
No more hard luck stories to wear
Nothing left to give
Why the hell should I care
Ann knows my smile and buries my shadow
In Channing Way
And with her cellophane sighs
Corrina the candle
Begs (Bades?) me to stay
You're all right now
So stop a while behind our smile
In Channing Way
Say, you're looking smart
I've had a tiring day
I took the kids along to the park
Every night with the boys
Got a new suit
That old smile's come back
And I kiss the children good night
And I slip away on the newly waxed floor
I fill every street
I dwarf the rooftops
I hunchback the moon
Leave it all behind me
Screaming kids on my knee
And the telly swallowing me
And the neighbor shouting next door
And the subway trembling the roller-skate floor
In Channing Way
Their very eyes seem to suck you in with their laughter
They seem to say
So stop a while behind our smile
In Channing Way
Ecstasies and charms
Pavements of poets will write that I died
In nine angel's arms
Still seductive as sin in their eyes
The man I had been
No more hard luck stories to wear
Nothing left to give
Why the hell should I care
In Channing Way
And with her cellophane sighs
Corrina the candle
Begs (Bades?) me to stay
So stop a while behind our smile
In Channing Way
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Oh my word I love this song... I always imagine this is a story of a family man who becomes famous.... "No more hard luck stories" is my favourite quote from this song... and My favourite section of the song is "Oh to die of kisses, Ecstasies and charms, Pavements of poets will write that I died, In nine angel's arms"
Lovely
Boy meets big shot old friend (or possibly imagines an alternate version of himself who took a different path), shares his own tired life woes, and dreams at night he has the life of significance, romance and magic that he yearns for. Great song.
I love this song. I believe this was written from a women's point of view, stuck inside looking after the kids while the husband is away with the boys. Then it seems to shift towards the male point of view. There are two characters in this song, both constrained by their dull lives but freed by their imaginations.
Brilliant.
As with many of Walker's songs there is a darkness underneath the smooth, bond-like presentation. Walker is clearly riffing on Eliot's The Love Song Of J Alfred Priufrock here with the title and both are concerened with the desires and longings of a middle aged nobody wishing for more. Here it becomes clear that our poor Humphrey is being passed by and over in the career stakes and is chafing at a life of droll domesticity: kids, roller skates and telly. His one escape is a brothel in Channing ("enchanting") Way, where Ann and Corrina transport our deflated portagonist to somewhere else for a while.....Walker leaves this sadly devastating conclusion to the very end. By this time we are seduced by the song and indeed forget our own troubles for a while......10/10
As with many of Walker's songs there is a darkness underneath the smooth, bond-like presentation. Walker is clearly riffing on Eliot's The Love Song Of J Alfred Priufrock here with the title and both are concerened with the desires and longings of a middle aged nobody wishing for more. Here it becomes clear that our poor Humphrey is being passed by and over in the career stakes and is chafing at a life of droll domesticity: kids, roller skates and telly. His one escape is a brothel in Channing ("enchanting") Way, where Ann and Corrina transport our deflated portagonist to somewhere else for a while.....Walker leaves this sadly devastating conclusion to the very end. By this time we are seduced by the song and indeed forget our own troubles for a while......10/10