So, I've loved this song since I was a kid. I always thought that "Berlin" was "Her name" growing up, but once I realized it was "Berlin" I couldn't help but think it wasn't about some dude drinking over a lost love, but rather JFK. Maybe the drinking part is an allusion to the drinking problems that have plagued the Kennedy family? The "loving recovering" a reference to his many alleged affairs? "What's that ticking", a grim reminder of how short his life was? "Look in here it's all hardwood. ... It's a man-sized inside." Is this not obviously the coffin?
I know it's not a very Canadian interpretation, but I think it's one that could be made to fit.
So, I've loved this song since I was a kid. I always thought that "Berlin" was "Her name" growing up, but once I realized it was "Berlin" I couldn't help but think it wasn't about some dude drinking over a lost love, but rather JFK. Maybe the drinking part is an allusion to the drinking problems that have plagued the Kennedy family? The "loving recovering" a reference to his many alleged affairs? "What's that ticking", a grim reminder of how short his life was? "Look in here it's all hardwood. ... It's a man-sized inside." Is this not obviously the coffin?
I know it's not a very Canadian interpretation, but I think it's one that could be made to fit.