This song is too much, and almost refuses to be pinned down with one single definitive meaning. It has a timeless quality I associate with classic songwriters from the sixties and seventies, and which seem nearly extinct these days. Even the mention of the era as "Fill-in-the-blank." Perhaps this song is merely about timeless themes: infidelity and revenge, political corruption, poor treatment of lower class/minorities.
I agree with Flamingo regarding the unique ability of wealthy-criminals to get off scot free.
"Shakespeare's cape," suited for a mean and suicidal prince, is referencing Hamlet, made more clear after mention of the unfaithful mother and uncle.
But my favorite line, by far, is "But I've been to the doctor and he swears he can fix my nose /
So I traded in my bible for a catalog of clothes." In today's society of cosmetic surgery and families who pay more for clothing than some make for an entire months wage, religion has certainly been changed out in favor of rampant consumerism.
This song is too much, and almost refuses to be pinned down with one single definitive meaning. It has a timeless quality I associate with classic songwriters from the sixties and seventies, and which seem nearly extinct these days. Even the mention of the era as "Fill-in-the-blank." Perhaps this song is merely about timeless themes: infidelity and revenge, political corruption, poor treatment of lower class/minorities.
I agree with Flamingo regarding the unique ability of wealthy-criminals to get off scot free.
"Shakespeare's cape," suited for a mean and suicidal prince, is referencing Hamlet, made more clear after mention of the unfaithful mother and uncle.
But my favorite line, by far, is "But I've been to the doctor and he swears he can fix my nose / So I traded in my bible for a catalog of clothes." In today's society of cosmetic surgery and families who pay more for clothing than some make for an entire months wage, religion has certainly been changed out in favor of rampant consumerism.