I think most of these are pretty close, but I sense a little twist that I dont see here.
First off, it is obvious that "fall for every empty word I say" sets the tone of the song, up til the ending chorus. He is whispering sweet nothings to us as if he were smooth talking his victim. We get his softest, melodic voice and it puts us in a trance and thinking this is such a great guy, without us ever really paying attention to what is going on. You could listen to this song a half dozen times and come away thinking "that Jesse is such a nice guy". Then after about the 10th listen, you actually pay attention, and realize this guy is a complete jerk (too late!)... not unlike the bar scene.
So rather than sing to us his sweet nothings, he replaces it with his real thoughts and "justifications". I think the "justifications" part is where I differ from most others here. I dont know that we are getting a real perspective on the woman, but possibly we are getting his justification of doing this to her, since we are inside his head at this point.
The title "Me vs Maradona vs Elvis".. disagree with those saying its him claiming to be as big as them. He is just choosing recognizable figures to compare to. Both were abusers that gave into their addictions (sex, drugs, & alcohol). I dont think the fame part is necessarily relevant, unless your perspective is that he sees himself as the industry's victim (I could see that way as well).
"With one or two I get used to the room". That is easy. Anyone that doesnt feel comfortable with the scene or is burdened by guilt or self-image needs to get their buzz going first (I can relate to that one and this scene, having "played" it many times). Takes the edge off and removes conscience from the picture.
"We go slow when we first make our moves". Set the trap; dont want to come across as a jerk or floozy.
"Out of cash and IOUs". I still havent seen a take on this that makes complete sense. But if you take the Elvis and Maradona examples, these guys crashed hard and maybe the guy here has used up his credibility and money and is now this pathetic creature, no doubt adding to his desperate feelings.
"I got desperate desires and unadmirable plans". He knows that he is just looking to score (feed that addiction temporarily).
"A sober straight face gets you out of your clothes
And they're scared, that we know
All the crimes they'll commit
Who they'll kiss before they get home"
OK, this is where the music industry could be a nice fit as well. The sober straight face could be that he knew what he was getting into (its not beer goggles), and it could also be the "real" face of the music industry. Suddenly we are talking about the crimes "they" commit (as opposed to "you" in the previous line), which would fit the industry better. In the context of hooking up, it could be the girls not wanting to appear as sluts and it could be the guys taking advantage of them.
"I almost feel sorry for what I'm gonna do". I'm surprised that people think this represents a guilty conscience. I think its the opposite. He knows this is going to end badly before he begins. It is all about coldness and cunning from here. Anyone who follows the rest of the song would have sympathy for the broken girl, but he says he "almost" does (aka, he doesnt). He has no remorse, but feels just a bit uneasy about that, because others would.
"And your hair smells of smoke
Who will cast the first stone?
You can sin or spend the night all alone"
There are no angels here. You went out looking for trouble and you got it. He's justifying his actions. You think any of these other barflies will call him out either? He knows your options are to cling to rescue for one night from loneliness or to wallow in it. He is aware of your pathetic options and is preying on it.
"Brass buttons on your coat hold the cold
In the shape of a heart that they cut out of stone"
used & abused past
"You're using all your looks that you've thrown from the start
If you let me have my way I swear I'll tear you apart"
about to be used & abused again (along with some justification)
"'cause it's all you can be, you're a drunk, and you're scared
It's ladies night, all the girls drink for free"
he sees her as this pathetic creature, prey to his game
"I will lie awake
And lie for fun and fake the way I hold you
Let you fall for every empty word I say"
he's kind of laughing at her patheticness, while admiring his own cunning a bit. He no longer needs to bother with the sweet talk. Time to wrap it up and move onto the next..
I think most of these are pretty close, but I sense a little twist that I dont see here.
First off, it is obvious that "fall for every empty word I say" sets the tone of the song, up til the ending chorus. He is whispering sweet nothings to us as if he were smooth talking his victim. We get his softest, melodic voice and it puts us in a trance and thinking this is such a great guy, without us ever really paying attention to what is going on. You could listen to this song a half dozen times and come away thinking "that Jesse is such a nice guy". Then after about the 10th listen, you actually pay attention, and realize this guy is a complete jerk (too late!)... not unlike the bar scene.
So rather than sing to us his sweet nothings, he replaces it with his real thoughts and "justifications". I think the "justifications" part is where I differ from most others here. I dont know that we are getting a real perspective on the woman, but possibly we are getting his justification of doing this to her, since we are inside his head at this point.
The title "Me vs Maradona vs Elvis".. disagree with those saying its him claiming to be as big as them. He is just choosing recognizable figures to compare to. Both were abusers that gave into their addictions (sex, drugs, & alcohol). I dont think the fame part is necessarily relevant, unless your perspective is that he sees himself as the industry's victim (I could see that way as well).
"With one or two I get used to the room". That is easy. Anyone that doesnt feel comfortable with the scene or is burdened by guilt or self-image needs to get their buzz going first (I can relate to that one and this scene, having "played" it many times). Takes the edge off and removes conscience from the picture.
"We go slow when we first make our moves". Set the trap; dont want to come across as a jerk or floozy.
"Out of cash and IOUs". I still havent seen a take on this that makes complete sense. But if you take the Elvis and Maradona examples, these guys crashed hard and maybe the guy here has used up his credibility and money and is now this pathetic creature, no doubt adding to his desperate feelings.
"I got desperate desires and unadmirable plans". He knows that he is just looking to score (feed that addiction temporarily).
"A sober straight face gets you out of your clothes And they're scared, that we know All the crimes they'll commit Who they'll kiss before they get home" OK, this is where the music industry could be a nice fit as well. The sober straight face could be that he knew what he was getting into (its not beer goggles), and it could also be the "real" face of the music industry. Suddenly we are talking about the crimes "they" commit (as opposed to "you" in the previous line), which would fit the industry better. In the context of hooking up, it could be the girls not wanting to appear as sluts and it could be the guys taking advantage of them.
"I almost feel sorry for what I'm gonna do". I'm surprised that people think this represents a guilty conscience. I think its the opposite. He knows this is going to end badly before he begins. It is all about coldness and cunning from here. Anyone who follows the rest of the song would have sympathy for the broken girl, but he says he "almost" does (aka, he doesnt). He has no remorse, but feels just a bit uneasy about that, because others would.
"And your hair smells of smoke Who will cast the first stone? You can sin or spend the night all alone" There are no angels here. You went out looking for trouble and you got it. He's justifying his actions. You think any of these other barflies will call him out either? He knows your options are to cling to rescue for one night from loneliness or to wallow in it. He is aware of your pathetic options and is preying on it.
"Brass buttons on your coat hold the cold In the shape of a heart that they cut out of stone"
"You're using all your looks that you've thrown from the start If you let me have my way I swear I'll tear you apart"
"'cause it's all you can be, you're a drunk, and you're scared It's ladies night, all the girls drink for free"
"I will lie awake And lie for fun and fake the way I hold you Let you fall for every empty word I say"