when this song came out (like 80 or 81), i also thought it was about parents who were planning their kid's life out for him. I always liked this song but kinda forgot about it. Then i picked up the Waxworks singles comp a few years ago and rediscovered the song.
Now, when i listen to it, i feel that maybe something is wrong with Nigel. Maybe he has downs syndrome or is challenged in some way. The lyric that is he says he must be happy, then he must be happy makes me think that Nigel is not all that aware of the world around him. But then again, what do i know.
I think my own interpretation is pretty close to yours. I always just assumed that Nigel was challenged in some way, or that at least his parents THINK of him as being challenged. I feel it's meant to reflect the way parents SEE their children, and may not quite understand them, and who try to give them what they think of as a good future because they don't think the child can do it for themselves. Or that these are parents who are trying to convince themselves that the only way to get by and have a good life is...
I think my own interpretation is pretty close to yours. I always just assumed that Nigel was challenged in some way, or that at least his parents THINK of him as being challenged. I feel it's meant to reflect the way parents SEE their children, and may not quite understand them, and who try to give them what they think of as a good future because they don't think the child can do it for themselves. Or that these are parents who are trying to convince themselves that the only way to get by and have a good life is to become the typical modern upright citizen worker, and trying to convince themselves that their son will be happy in that role.
when this song came out (like 80 or 81), i also thought it was about parents who were planning their kid's life out for him. I always liked this song but kinda forgot about it. Then i picked up the Waxworks singles comp a few years ago and rediscovered the song.
Now, when i listen to it, i feel that maybe something is wrong with Nigel. Maybe he has downs syndrome or is challenged in some way. The lyric that is he says he must be happy, then he must be happy makes me think that Nigel is not all that aware of the world around him. But then again, what do i know.
I think my own interpretation is pretty close to yours. I always just assumed that Nigel was challenged in some way, or that at least his parents THINK of him as being challenged. I feel it's meant to reflect the way parents SEE their children, and may not quite understand them, and who try to give them what they think of as a good future because they don't think the child can do it for themselves. Or that these are parents who are trying to convince themselves that the only way to get by and have a good life is...
I think my own interpretation is pretty close to yours. I always just assumed that Nigel was challenged in some way, or that at least his parents THINK of him as being challenged. I feel it's meant to reflect the way parents SEE their children, and may not quite understand them, and who try to give them what they think of as a good future because they don't think the child can do it for themselves. Or that these are parents who are trying to convince themselves that the only way to get by and have a good life is to become the typical modern upright citizen worker, and trying to convince themselves that their son will be happy in that role.
@Fistacuffs Sounds like Nigel might suffer from autism.
@Fistacuffs Sounds like Nigel might suffer from autism.