I feel that "iamtehmadhat" interpretation covers pretty much everything. However, I think that "Half of the time..." refers to touring, refers to being on the road. Another day, another city. Performers often lose track of where they are.
The line could also refer to their drug use, I suppose, but considering the song is about remaining in New York--and being content about that--I think "Half of the time..." refers to touring. (Could also refer to dissociating from the Here and Now, I don't know.)
I think Paul, in this song, is content to remain in New York. There's a wistful quality to this song, but I don't think it's "sad." I don't think one would use "Doit 'n de doit..." in a sad song.
After touring, and writing, and recording, with Art gone, he's "...got nothing to do today but smile." (Not that Paul wouldn't still write during this time alone, but you get my point.) And yes, Paul could also be smiling at memories he's shared with Art, etc., but mostly I think he's just perfectly content to be "in the moment"; to have a break, in New York, a city he loves.
He's grateful.
And I don't mean to intimate that Art was a burden for Paul. But I think Paul is expressing how he's at peace with the state of things between them. And if that also refers to the impending breakup, then so be it. "I know you've been eager to fly now..." surely has a double meaning.
"...let your honesty shine" probably has a double meaning; partly referring to Art bringing honesty to his acting role in Catch-22, and partly referring to their honesty with each other about their desires for their respective musical futures.
Paul's a New Yorker. And in youthful arrogance, maybe he and Art used to wax about how they're the only two people in NYC truly alive, I don't know.
With Art gone to Mexico (and perhaps gone from the duo forever), that would leave Paul as the only living boy in New York.
Whatever the case, Paul feels alive in this song. Not bouncing off the walls, ecstatic, but at peace, content--and alive.
"Here I am."
At peace with the state of things--from their geographical separation, to their emotional separation, and everything between.
I think Paul is saying, "It's all good. I'm gonna be just fine--so very fine..."
I feel that "iamtehmadhat" interpretation covers pretty much everything. However, I think that "Half of the time..." refers to touring, refers to being on the road. Another day, another city. Performers often lose track of where they are.
The line could also refer to their drug use, I suppose, but considering the song is about remaining in New York--and being content about that--I think "Half of the time..." refers to touring. (Could also refer to dissociating from the Here and Now, I don't know.)
I think Paul, in this song, is content to remain in New York. There's a wistful quality to this song, but I don't think it's "sad." I don't think one would use "Doit 'n de doit..." in a sad song.
After touring, and writing, and recording, with Art gone, he's "...got nothing to do today but smile." (Not that Paul wouldn't still write during this time alone, but you get my point.) And yes, Paul could also be smiling at memories he's shared with Art, etc., but mostly I think he's just perfectly content to be "in the moment"; to have a break, in New York, a city he loves.
He's grateful.
And I don't mean to intimate that Art was a burden for Paul. But I think Paul is expressing how he's at peace with the state of things between them. And if that also refers to the impending breakup, then so be it. "I know you've been eager to fly now..." surely has a double meaning.
"...let your honesty shine" probably has a double meaning; partly referring to Art bringing honesty to his acting role in Catch-22, and partly referring to their honesty with each other about their desires for their respective musical futures.
Paul's a New Yorker. And in youthful arrogance, maybe he and Art used to wax about how they're the only two people in NYC truly alive, I don't know.
With Art gone to Mexico (and perhaps gone from the duo forever), that would leave Paul as the only living boy in New York.
Whatever the case, Paul feels alive in this song. Not bouncing off the walls, ecstatic, but at peace, content--and alive.
"Here I am."
At peace with the state of things--from their geographical separation, to their emotional separation, and everything between.
I think Paul is saying, "It's all good. I'm gonna be just fine--so very fine..."