I recognize most of the general references in this song, but one has me puzzled: does anyone know what he means by "men not fit for marriage took their refuge in the oil"?
The line about refuge in the oil is an allusion to masturbation, baby oil..well, you get it...I know...but Townshend has made such references in the past (Pictures of Lilly, from The Who),
The line about refuge in the oil is an allusion to masturbation, baby oil..well, you get it...I know...but Townshend has made such references in the past (Pictures of Lilly, from The Who),
My own interpretation is that men who are not fit subjects for marriage take their refuge in the oil of Holy Orders, the rite through which men become priests... I've known so many priests, brothers, ministers who were simply unfit as marriage partners.
My own interpretation is that men who are not fit subjects for marriage take their refuge in the oil of Holy Orders, the rite through which men become priests... I've known so many priests, brothers, ministers who were simply unfit as marriage partners.
I do acknowledge both of the previous interpretations as potentially sound, though.
I do acknowledge both of the previous interpretations as potentially sound, though.
I'm pretty sure this wan't as cryptic as some would assume.
I would say that it means that men not fit for marriage went to work on oil rigs, which is grueling work that is not conducive to family life.
Someone who worked on an oile rig wouldn't have much time or energy to think about family life.
I'm pretty sure this wan't as cryptic as some would assume.
I would say that it means that men not fit for marriage went to work on oil rigs, which is grueling work that is not conducive to family life.
Someone who worked on an oile rig wouldn't have much time or energy to think about family life.
I don't think it had anything to do with masturbation. That's over thinking it in a Freudian sense.
I don't think it had anything to do with masturbation. That's over thinking it in a Freudian sense.
@naomid
And girls who lost their children for the men that fit the coil. The coil is an IUD.
Men not fit for marriage took their Refuge in the oil.
This refers to the oil industry in particular working with offshore oil drilling company. These men work 6 to 8 months at a time, without leave.
It's not a 9 to 5 job of a family man.
Put them together.
Men who fit an IUD
( men who do not want children are unable to make commitments)
Men not fit for marriage took their refuge in the oil
( worst case scenario these type...
@naomid
And girls who lost their children for the men that fit the coil. The coil is an IUD.
Men not fit for marriage took their Refuge in the oil.
This refers to the oil industry in particular working with offshore oil drilling company. These men work 6 to 8 months at a time, without leave.
It's not a 9 to 5 job of a family man.
Put them together.
Men who fit an IUD
( men who do not want children are unable to make commitments)
Men not fit for marriage took their refuge in the oil
( worst case scenario these type of men we'll take a job where they are unable to be a husband or a father)
I saw it on an interview regarding the album, right from the horse's mouth, Pete Townsend himself.
@naomid Sorry for the late reply. My understanding is he was talking about men that married fast then went to work the north sea oil rigs so weren't there for their new wives. .
@naomid Sorry for the late reply. My understanding is he was talking about men that married fast then went to work the north sea oil rigs so weren't there for their new wives. .
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
I recognize most of the general references in this song, but one has me puzzled: does anyone know what he means by "men not fit for marriage took their refuge in the oil"?
The line about refuge in the oil is an allusion to masturbation, baby oil..well, you get it...I know...but Townshend has made such references in the past (Pictures of Lilly, from The Who),
The line about refuge in the oil is an allusion to masturbation, baby oil..well, you get it...I know...but Townshend has made such references in the past (Pictures of Lilly, from The Who),
To become a roughneck on an oil rig in the North Sea.
To become a roughneck on an oil rig in the North Sea.
My own interpretation is that men who are not fit subjects for marriage take their refuge in the oil of Holy Orders, the rite through which men become priests... I've known so many priests, brothers, ministers who were simply unfit as marriage partners.
My own interpretation is that men who are not fit subjects for marriage take their refuge in the oil of Holy Orders, the rite through which men become priests... I've known so many priests, brothers, ministers who were simply unfit as marriage partners.
I do acknowledge both of the previous interpretations as potentially sound, though.
I do acknowledge both of the previous interpretations as potentially sound, though.
Cheers!
Cheers!
I'm pretty sure this wan't as cryptic as some would assume. I would say that it means that men not fit for marriage went to work on oil rigs, which is grueling work that is not conducive to family life. Someone who worked on an oile rig wouldn't have much time or energy to think about family life.
I'm pretty sure this wan't as cryptic as some would assume. I would say that it means that men not fit for marriage went to work on oil rigs, which is grueling work that is not conducive to family life. Someone who worked on an oile rig wouldn't have much time or energy to think about family life.
I don't think it had anything to do with masturbation. That's over thinking it in a Freudian sense.
I don't think it had anything to do with masturbation. That's over thinking it in a Freudian sense.
@naomid Skinning the mule...
@naomid Skinning the mule...
@naomid
@naomid
@naomid And girls who lost their children for the men that fit the coil. The coil is an IUD. Men not fit for marriage took their Refuge in the oil. This refers to the oil industry in particular working with offshore oil drilling company. These men work 6 to 8 months at a time, without leave. It's not a 9 to 5 job of a family man. Put them together. Men who fit an IUD ( men who do not want children are unable to make commitments) Men not fit for marriage took their refuge in the oil ( worst case scenario these type...
@naomid And girls who lost their children for the men that fit the coil. The coil is an IUD. Men not fit for marriage took their Refuge in the oil. This refers to the oil industry in particular working with offshore oil drilling company. These men work 6 to 8 months at a time, without leave. It's not a 9 to 5 job of a family man. Put them together. Men who fit an IUD ( men who do not want children are unable to make commitments) Men not fit for marriage took their refuge in the oil ( worst case scenario these type of men we'll take a job where they are unable to be a husband or a father) I saw it on an interview regarding the album, right from the horse's mouth, Pete Townsend himself.
@naomid I agree that that line of the song refers to men who are fit for marriage take their refuse
@naomid I agree that that line of the song refers to men who are fit for marriage take their refuse
Refuge in the oil of the sacrament of holy orders, the priesthood.
Refuge in the oil of the sacrament of holy orders, the priesthood.
@naomid Sorry for the late reply. My understanding is he was talking about men that married fast then went to work the north sea oil rigs so weren't there for their new wives. .
@naomid Sorry for the late reply. My understanding is he was talking about men that married fast then went to work the north sea oil rigs so weren't there for their new wives. .
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid These answers are all way overthinking this. It isn\'t some exotic reference to working on oil rigs to escape a spouse. That makes no sense because the rest of the song isn\'t so specific as to be talking about oil rigs. It is about the disillusionment with growing older and apart from your lover. "Refuge in the oil" refers to the man being unfit for marriage, unhappy, and taking refuge in getting drunk. "Oil" as in "well oiled".
@naomid The UK oil industry was booming with jobs in the North Sea in the late 1970s.
@naomid The UK oil industry was booming with jobs in the North Sea in the late 1970s.