Flowers for Charlie

"charlie" is actually smith's childhood step-father who was a pervading source of strife and pent-up resentment in his life. smith had suspicions that charlie may have physically (or sexually) abused him as a child. whatever the case, charlie was a very dark force in his life. this song was written (i believe) after charlie sent a letter to elliott saying he was a changed man and apologizing for the abuse (though he denied the sexual abuse). i believe this song was elliott's small way of forgiving him.

Charlie is also slang for American military men, which goes along with "i'm not a good g.i. joe."

I think this song is basically about what it says it's about, all be it with a bit of an extended metaphor. Charlie, as some have pointed is a general army term for the enemy, and the song is indeed about a war. As many have also pointed out Charlie was also Elliott's step father and they were locked in a war of popularity, perhaps competing for his mother's affections. It's not entirely unheard of for there to be jealousy between step parents and biological children and vice versa. What Elliott is saying is that he doesn't want to fight this popularity war, but he's not trying to win Charlie over either, he's not trying to make friends. He simply doesn't want to worry about this issue, because staying alive gives him enough to worry about. He ends the song by basically telling Charlie not to tip toe around him because the war is over, it's a free world and he can do what he wants. So it's not so much about forgiving Charlie as it is about giving up on a sort of active resentment and animosity.

Would the name have anything to do with the book Flowers for Algernon? I was just curious, since the main character's name is Charlie...

the guy that runs sweetadeline.net 's name is charlie...maybe just a coincidence

where did you hear this about charlie being his stepfather? I know he had a lot of problems with him (obviously) and have read some things where he said it was in the past and he wasnt gonna make him feel bad about it for the rest of his life but im curious how you made that connection to this song?

i found out that was his name, it goes along with the earlier songs he wrote 'no confidence man' and 'some song' in which he mentions charlie. oh and some of the lyrics posted here are incorrect.. the one thats most obvious is: 'this is meaningless' in the live version i have he sings 'its a free world'

yes, it is his step dad and flowers are a symbol of forgiveness........so he's forgiving his step dad and maybe himself. just a thought.....beautiful song either way.

interesting..........very interesting....................RIP

interesting..........very interesting....................RIP