Punky's Dilemma Lyrics
Floatin' in my bowl takin' movies,
Relaxin' awhile, livin' in style,
Talkin' to a raisin who 'casion'ly plays L.A.,
Casually glancing at his toupee.
'Bout to make the most out of a toaster.
I'd ease myself down,
Comin' up brown.
I prefer boysenberry
More than any ordinary jam.
I'm a "Citizens for Boysenberry Jam" fan.
Would you put my photo on your piano?
To Maryjane--
Best wishes, Martin.
(Old Roger draft-dodger
Leavin' by the basement door),
Everybody knows what he's
Tippy-toeing down there for.
Punky's dilemma is choosing between letting himself be drafted or dodging the draft. That's a true dilemma and was a common one during the Vietnam War. While fixing breakfast and smoking a little marijuana, he indulges in a little whimsical escapism by wishing he had the carefree life of a Kellogg's Corn Flake or an English muffin. In fact, being in Southern California would be a nice escape as well.
As Punky begins thinking about being drafted and being in the Army, he imagines himself being remembered and missed in a romantic, heroic sort of way. His alternative thought is to become a draft dodger, not-so-secretly sneaking around the basement. Punky imagines himself as both Martin the first lieutenant and Roger the Draft Dodger. Which will Punky become?
Artistically, naming Kellogg's Corn Flakes as a brand in the song was unusual in songwriting prior to the sixties. Simon & Garfunkel were probably showing a bit of Andy Warhol's influence who championed everyday items such as Campbell's Soup cans and Brillo boxes as art in the early sixties. John Updike did something similar at the same time by including packaging information word for word that a character was reading while eating breakfast.
The last two or three bars of the song transition from "Punky's Dilemma" to the theme song of the 1954 movie "The High and the Mighty," a film starring John Wayne and Robert Stack. This is a musical pun in a couple of ways. The theme song was famous for its incredible whistling and the whistler in this song goes from "Punky's Dilemma" to "The High and the Mighty," as though Punky is escaping reality again, while the theme song title suggests that Punky is high.
@ironjeff this reply may be 9 years old, but as such now, it only proves over all of that time that YOUR explanation has been the most clear, succinct and correct version. We've now all had years of speculation, rumours and titillating ideas clarified with multiple interviews with S&G, notes on their fan pages, web sites and personal commentary at their concerts. Myself have never stopped listening, learning (or playing guitar) and enjoying their music. I find it extraordinary that even in these times, their lyrics could easily be applied to current political upheaval, world and potential war issues. Even...
@ironjeff this reply may be 9 years old, but as such now, it only proves over all of that time that YOUR explanation has been the most clear, succinct and correct version. We've now all had years of speculation, rumours and titillating ideas clarified with multiple interviews with S&G, notes on their fan pages, web sites and personal commentary at their concerts. Myself have never stopped listening, learning (or playing guitar) and enjoying their music. I find it extraordinary that even in these times, their lyrics could easily be applied to current political upheaval, world and potential war issues. Even this song could still be applied to several subsequent conflicts ongoing as I write. Interesting how some of our best writers songs/lyrics are having a resurgence and applying to current events with just as much impact as they did back then. It makes one wonder, have we come a full circle, or is it a perpetual circle with each generation facing similar and near identical life situations, making it easier to apply older, much loved and still cherished lyrics to our lives vs much of the trite, manufactured sort of music of today. That said, thank you for your contribution, belated but still appreciated. Warm regards, ladybudd
this song is about the vietnam war. he is talking about all the things he wishes we was so he wouldn't have to enlist. it's like in the beginning on the song, he is tryin to not think about it. distracting himself from the harsh realities of polotics. towards the end he talks about a "draft-dodger" and how he's hiding trying to escape the draft.
Do you know what MaryJane is? I gues everybody doesn't know what he's tippy toeing down there for.
Marijuana.
Marijuana.
The happiest breakfast in the whole world. Wake and bake.
such a cute little feel-good song. i love it. it's nonsensical...i have no idea what it means. but it's great!
i think it is about politics i think it wavers on the fine line of nonsensical and true deep meaning, whether it is the most profound piece of poetry in the last 50 or so years or whether its just a fun song about breakfast foods and getting high it is one of my favorite simon and garfunkel songs and off of my favorite album. I think you can take your own meaning from it and make it your own.
or maybe.....as maryjane is cannabis, he's just a bit stoned and his wishing to be food is simply 'the munchies'. would also explain the apparent non-sensical stuff. (= possibly..
Sometimes i'd like to be an English muffin...
Most talented of songwriters at the peak of power. Whimsy and satire with a faux political edge. Paul could do this with a throwaway song such as this, so that it is no throwaway.
i so agree with howtobegood it seriously is THE cutests song ive ever heard and always makes me smile the lines' which i was an english muffin bout to make the most out of a toaster ill ease myself down comin up brown' just imagine a little muffin hahah its soo funny and yeah complete nonscense but thats why i love it so much