Neighborhood Spaceman (Feat. Jel & Odd Nosam)

I think I've made a few corrections that might make the meaning of this song a little clearer..

I'm your neighborhood spaceman you don't know who I am or where I've been circling like a satellite, a signpost in the sky.. look at me I'm really just a tambourine the world is shaking me, so listen cuz now I'm gonna sing I'm comin' home you'll hear my song through the galaxy by the time this light has reached your eyes a world has lived and died, but we're here..

time and space are landing right where we're standing open up your hand and something good will happen drinking from the sun, we've found a whole new planet stars align a thousand times, that old black magick

when no one is looking, ain't gonna shut my mouth and I'm cryin' out when no one is looking, under your balcony singin' the serenade when no one is looking, I swallow thunder clouds and kiss the hollow ground when no one is looking, I eat the desert sand and drink the Rio Grande when no one is looking, I'm cryin' raindrops and chewin' mountain tops when no one is looking, I break another rhyme and I'm stoppin' time

I'm your neighborhood spaceman and your breath is moving through me on the surface of this moon I can say to you: "it's ok" somebody inside of us makes this joy a must then we'll be knee-deep in ecstasy no gravity to hold us down again we're free a thousand light years from this place I see the look on your face, and I'm there

time and space are landing right where we're standing open up your hand and something good will happen drinking from the sun, we've found a whole new planet stars align a thousand times, that old black magick

when no one is looking, I'm gonna buckle down I'm gonna hit the ground when no one is looking, I got to understand I'm back on Earth again when no one is looking, I pull my car around cuz I'm leavin' town when no one is looking, I'm just a rocket man I've seen a lot of can

I'll never give up, I'll never let you down I'll bring you the crown I'm opening up, but on the other hand, I wanna be the man I'll never give up, I'll never let you down I'll bring you the crown I'm courageous enough, but on the other hand I'm outta here, my friend

This song describes how guys will typically run away from a relationship that challenges them spiritually or puts too much pressure on their psyche. That's why he calls himself a "rocket man" or "spaceman", because he runs away when things get too difficult with his woman. But, as usual with Patton, there's a double entendre. He's also a "spaceman" because he initially puts on an impressive false front to get the woman (e.g. he's a "signpost in the sky" saying "LOOK AT ME!!"). This is something guys typically do a lot when they meet a woman who they're attracted to. And when they succeed in getting the woman, they feel super confident and they get a huge surge of energy which makes them feel amazing.

But at the same time, they can't control it. Soon, that ball of energy makes the man become egocentric, thinking he can do/accomplish anything and everything (e.g. "drink the Rio Grande", "swallow thunder clouds", etc.). That's usually when things take a turn in the relationship. Now, with the guy being over-confident, his woman starts to appear not good enough for him. Tension in the relationship increases, and the super-confidence he was feeling starts to erode (e.g. he's "back on Earth again").

Then he becomes totally conflicted with how he feels (this is what the final verse is about). He still holds on to that initial surge of positive energy he felt at the beginning of the relationship, but now he knows that it was sort-of built on false pretenses. He doesn't want to give up on the relationship, but at the same time, it's driving him completely batty. He wants to open up to the woman (and to himself) but at the same time, he wants to run away and leave her so he can feel sane again.

It's a beautiful song :)