This is the ONLY sheryl crow song I like. It's genius. But I have to totally disagree with the other reviewers (other than moehead). It always struck me as a very literal song. Even the whale bit. To me it is the speaker knowing what the "good" choices in life are. What people expect her/him to do. eg-immersing yourself in religion (I'm pretty sure the whale bit is a story in the bible), or marrying the "right" man, but having the strengths to chose the other. Knowing that being "lovely and fine" meant "being in the palm of his hand" and that being in a whale with the signs means a lot of wasted time.
I love songs like this cause there are so many ways for people to interpret them. That's cool! To me though this song is about freedom and wisdom and not waiting for anyone but to go towards what makes you happy.
This is the ONLY sheryl crow song I like. It's genius. But I have to totally disagree with the other reviewers (other than moehead). It always struck me as a very literal song. Even the whale bit. To me it is the speaker knowing what the "good" choices in life are. What people expect her/him to do. eg-immersing yourself in religion (I'm pretty sure the whale bit is a story in the bible), or marrying the "right" man, but having the strengths to chose the other. Knowing that being "lovely and fine" meant "being in the palm of his hand" and that being in a whale with the signs means a lot of wasted time. I love songs like this cause there are so many ways for people to interpret them. That's cool! To me though this song is about freedom and wisdom and not waiting for anyone but to go towards what makes you happy.