Mr. Jones Lyrics

Lyric discussion by scarletspeed 

Cover art for Mr. Jones lyrics by Talking Heads

Fantastic song! I can't for the life of my think what it's actually about though.

Any suggestions?

My impression is that Mr. Jones is a timid sort of back-of-the-office type, who doesn't lead a very exciting life. But for his birthday his friends take him down to some casino in the city and he has a wild night. This song is about the excitement.

Very astute, sirsawblade. I think you've got a lot of it... but there's more too I bet.

I see Mr. Jones as a salesman visiting a third-world country for a convention. ("Sales men/conventioneers") He's a dorky loser in his own country but is treated like a king by the staff at the hotel where he stays because they want his first-world dollars. (The voices in the background waiting on him hand and foot. "Telephone call for Mr. Jones" and "Will that be cash or charge, Mr. Jones?".) He likes to go to those places because they make him relax and feel cool with how they pamper him. ("Loosen up/I believe he'll be alright") He has a coterie...