Wish I was a Kellogg's Cornflake
Floatin' in my bowl takin' movies,
Relaxin' awhile, livin' in style,
Talkin' to a raisin who 'caisson'ly plays L.A.,
Casually glancing at his toupee.

Wish I was an English muffin
'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.

Ah, South California.

If I become a first lieutenant
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


Lyrics submitted by kevin

Punky's Dilemma Lyrics as written by Paul Simon

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Punky's Dilemma song meanings
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  • +4
    My Interpretation

    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.

    Ironjeffon February 04, 2010   Link

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