I always figured this song was directed at some self important scenester chick that drew Mr. Kozelek's ire. The chorus gives the impression she's a big fish in a small pond (specifically New Jersey). Basically she thinks she's really important, like a queen of the rock 'n roll scene or something, and Mr. Kozelek is putting her in her place saying "you may be big shit in the Garden State, but 'New Jersey ain't the whole world'". Maybe I'm way off.
Oh, one other thing. New Jersey people are stereotypically looked down on by New Yorkers (watch the Sopranos or Joe Piscipo-era SNL if you don't believe me), who see them as trashy, uncultured, or clueless to the ways of New York sophistication. I don't personally feel this way, I just wanted to mention it since it may inform the attitude of the song.
I wonder if British fans of the Red House Painters catch this interesting tidbit of US geography/culture.
I always figured this song was directed at some self important scenester chick that drew Mr. Kozelek's ire. The chorus gives the impression she's a big fish in a small pond (specifically New Jersey). Basically she thinks she's really important, like a queen of the rock 'n roll scene or something, and Mr. Kozelek is putting her in her place saying "you may be big shit in the Garden State, but 'New Jersey ain't the whole world'". Maybe I'm way off.
Oh, one other thing. New Jersey people are stereotypically looked down on by New Yorkers (watch the Sopranos or Joe Piscipo-era SNL if you don't believe me), who see them as trashy, uncultured, or clueless to the ways of New York sophistication. I don't personally feel this way, I just wanted to mention it since it may inform the attitude of the song.
I wonder if British fans of the Red House Painters catch this interesting tidbit of US geography/culture.
we do now :)
we do now :)