Talula Lyrics

Lyric discussion by madamthinksalot 

Cover art for Talula lyrics by Tori Amos

I think it is about shedding one skin for another and during the course of doing so realizing that the ideals of youth are sometimes just that --ideals. But, I think the song also speaks to the fact that the ideals of youth, though sometimes too lofty to be attained are necessary and worth having. Every great accomplishment started out as an unattainable dream.
I think you are all right. I do believe she is speaking about her younger self, I do believe she is speaking perhaps about an aborted pregnancy but the first verse, for me, drives home the idea of how I once thought a pair of shoes for $150 was a steal and now, raising a very exspensive four year old, I would be mortified to own such an extrvagant item. She says "say godbye to the old world" and I assume she is referring to the new baby in the pappoose. Maybe she is using the complex metaphore of how everything changes with a new child to talk about life changing events in general. I am constantly trying to manage "cake and bread" I had to say goodbye to a glitter girl as we all eventually do when we realize that dorm life isn't really living on your own.
Ofcourse there are other more serious ideas that I had to modify as I grew older. I have come to terms with the idea that world hunger might not be abolished in my lifetime and sometimes I have nothing but contempt for my old self and my childish naivete but "I dont' want to loose her" and I have to assume "She must be worth loosing" and so it goes. I still don't completely understand what the hell she is talking about but I love her hypnotic rythms and that haunting voice and for crying out loud if for nothing else she gets props from me for working her magic and making a harpsichord sound cool. I love the fact that her lyrics are so multidimensional that we can all take what we need from them and make them our own. the song has meant many different things to me at different stages in my life. When I was younger I thought it was all about abortion and how hard it should be to make the decision but I see so much more now. I think that is real talent. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HER!