In the first verse, I think he's reacting to still playing the old blues-rock that he wrote years ago, while the things that inspired him to write those songs are no longer what is relevant to him. I.e. "I'm bringing back ghosts that are no longer there..." Furthermore, there's sort of a different appoach to writing personal songs when your setting and lifestyle have changed as they have for Jack over the years.
The song goes on to, what seems to be, references regarding his wife. She's a red-head, a trait which Jack obviously holds a deep attraction for. Several lines could be referring to her, their relationship, or some of the things they might be struggling with. Though, that part is heavily speculative on my part...
The third theme is the existential tone the song takes on. The last lines are the most interesting bits... Perhaps Jack realizes that music is not only what is best for him, but it's paying the bills, though he also recognizes that the money will be irrelevant when he's dead. Maybe he is wondering if his songs are accomplishing nothing. Case in point:
"Well sooner or later the ground's gonna be holdin' all
of my ashes too
But I can't help but wonder if after I'm gone will I still have these three hundred mile per hour, finger breaking, no answers makin', battered dirty hands, bee stung and busted up, empty cup torrential outpour blues
One thing's for sure: in that graveyard
I'm gonna have the shiniest pair of shoes"
It's like he wants his music to exercise his demons, but all it's accomplishing is making money, which is unimportant compared to the formerly stated desire.
In the first verse, I think he's reacting to still playing the old blues-rock that he wrote years ago, while the things that inspired him to write those songs are no longer what is relevant to him. I.e. "I'm bringing back ghosts that are no longer there..." Furthermore, there's sort of a different appoach to writing personal songs when your setting and lifestyle have changed as they have for Jack over the years.
The song goes on to, what seems to be, references regarding his wife. She's a red-head, a trait which Jack obviously holds a deep attraction for. Several lines could be referring to her, their relationship, or some of the things they might be struggling with. Though, that part is heavily speculative on my part...
The third theme is the existential tone the song takes on. The last lines are the most interesting bits... Perhaps Jack realizes that music is not only what is best for him, but it's paying the bills, though he also recognizes that the money will be irrelevant when he's dead. Maybe he is wondering if his songs are accomplishing nothing. Case in point:
"Well sooner or later the ground's gonna be holdin' all of my ashes too But I can't help but wonder if after I'm gone will I still have these three hundred mile per hour, finger breaking, no answers makin', battered dirty hands, bee stung and busted up, empty cup torrential outpour blues
One thing's for sure: in that graveyard I'm gonna have the shiniest pair of shoes"
It's like he wants his music to exercise his demons, but all it's accomplishing is making money, which is unimportant compared to the formerly stated desire.