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Barbary Coast (Later) Lyrics
There's a dance hall there where the sick folks go
Like the olden days on the Barbary Coast
There's a barefoot child playing in the rain
You can sell your wares even if they're hot
In the great bazaar or the parking lot
'Cause it takes a while to know who to blame
I might have a taste, 'cause the first one's free
And the checkout girl's got a thing for me
And they're both as sweet as the day is long
I don't wanna feel stuck, baby
I just wanna get drunk before noon
I don't mind my head when there's room to dream
Feel like Paul Gauguin painting breadfruit trees
In some far off place where I don't belong
Try to lose myself in the primitive
In Yosemite like John Muir did
But his eyes were blue and mine are red and raw
'Cause the modern world is a sight to see
It's a stimulant, it's pornography
It takes all my will not to turn it off
I don't want you to feel sad, baby
I take everything back, I swear I do
'Cause once all the friends I had
Have used me up and left
I bet you hang around
I bet you'll hang around a while
Like the olden days on the Barbary Coast
There's a barefoot child playing in the rain
In the great bazaar or the parking lot
'Cause it takes a while to know who to blame
And the checkout girl's got a thing for me
And they're both as sweet as the day is long
I just wanna get drunk before noon
Feel like Paul Gauguin painting breadfruit trees
In some far off place where I don't belong
In Yosemite like John Muir did
But his eyes were blue and mine are red and raw
It's a stimulant, it's pornography
It takes all my will not to turn it off
I take everything back, I swear I do
Have used me up and left
I bet you hang around
I bet you'll hang around a while
Song Info
Submitted by
truleu On Oct 01, 2016
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I'm thinking this song is about being trapped in a world that doesn't feel like home. Paul Gauguin painted in places he could never be a part of. Some of us don't feel we belong in this modern time. However, he knows he can't be a part of any other time. "It takes all my will not to turn it off." Turning it off wouldn't make him feel any more at home. I guess ultimately it's about hope in the person he's singing the last verse to.
I think the lyrics are " you can sell your wares, even if they're HOT". meaning stolen goods, which is OK because by the time they figure out they're stolen it's not known who to blame.
Also, it's not "John Muir" (whoever that is...) but "Joan Miró" also a painter.
John Muir was a naturalist who was prominent in conservation and preservation of wilderness in America including Yosemite and is whom the song is referring to.
John Muir was a naturalist who was prominent in conservation and preservation of wilderness in America including Yosemite and is whom the song is referring to.
@NathanWestwood ok, maybe I am wrong. :) probably
@NathanWestwood ok, maybe I am wrong. :) probably
@NathanWestwood It is John Muir
@NathanWestwood It is John Muir
@NathanWestwood Totally fascinating guy -- happy this song introduced me to him. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Muir
@NathanWestwood Totally fascinating guy -- happy this song introduced me to him. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Muir