In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I still can picture him
His hands in his back pockets
He wasn't much for words
But when the wise kids made a racket
He just had to go downtown
Throw his weight around for starting over
"Say did you hear I've got a band?"
Some guys I know from LA
Put on Rio Grande
I'll pay you back next Friday
You know it sure ain't big
Just some cats I dig
They said; "They'd do the gig"
Oh Desperado
Why don't you spend your life in Colorado?
Oh restless shadow
Out in the blue hills
You're feeling hollow
Oh El Diablo
Why did you spend your life in California?
I should have warned ya'
No place to go now but falling over
Some guys can't make it on the run
Under the gun
Not for the younger
Oh Jack Daniel's I feel your hunger
I know you did your best
But you thought that you did not
I wish that I had known
Before I heard the last shot
You know it's not a sin
That little badge of tin
Just a momento
So sad your love remained
My comrades lost in battle
The music was a din from London to Seattle
We all made you play and all our yesterdays
Are starting over
Oh Desperado
Why don't you spend your life in Colorado?
Oh restless shadow
Out in the blue hills
You're feeling hollow
Oh, El Diablo
Why did you spend your life in California?
I should have warned ya'
No place to go now but falling over
His hands in his back pockets
He wasn't much for words
But when the wise kids made a racket
He just had to go downtown
Throw his weight around for starting over
"Say did you hear I've got a band?"
Some guys I know from LA
Put on Rio Grande
I'll pay you back next Friday
You know it sure ain't big
Just some cats I dig
They said; "They'd do the gig"
Oh Desperado
Why don't you spend your life in Colorado?
Oh restless shadow
Out in the blue hills
You're feeling hollow
Oh El Diablo
Why did you spend your life in California?
I should have warned ya'
No place to go now but falling over
Some guys can't make it on the run
Under the gun
Not for the younger
Oh Jack Daniel's I feel your hunger
I know you did your best
But you thought that you did not
I wish that I had known
Before I heard the last shot
You know it's not a sin
That little badge of tin
Just a momento
So sad your love remained
My comrades lost in battle
The music was a din from London to Seattle
We all made you play and all our yesterdays
Are starting over
Oh Desperado
Why don't you spend your life in Colorado?
Oh restless shadow
Out in the blue hills
You're feeling hollow
Oh, El Diablo
Why did you spend your life in California?
I should have warned ya'
No place to go now but falling over
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
Under the Gun Lyrics as written by Mick Rodgers Anabella Marina Lwin
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Jeffrey Lee Pierce was actually a huge Blondie fan and was president of their fan club. He went into a coma from liver poisoning and died. There is more to it here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Lee_Pierce. After reading that, the song makes sense, especially the last two lines.
I just read this as well. He started punk band "The Gun Club", which appears to be related to the song title. In 1996 (3 yrs before this album), Pierce died from a brain hemorrhage. Pierce was HIV positive, while also suffering from cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, at the time of his death.
This song is really catchy! Maybe one of my favourite Blondie songs. I'm not entirely sure what it was about, but I thought it was about Jeffrey Lee Pierce.
Did you think that or did you read it on the No Exit back cover like I did? ;)