Agree with others about sarcastic nature of song; it's wonderfully poignant, symbolic, and ironic. Masterful poetry that is so open that such a wide range of artists have put such a unique stamp on it. I mean compare my 2 favorite versions: Dusty Springfield's (that is true to the depressive, lush intent) and UB40's that obscures and finds the meditative repetitions. Both wonderful and light years apart.
Agree with others about sarcastic nature of song; it's wonderfully poignant, symbolic, and ironic. Masterful poetry that is so open that such a wide range of artists have put such a unique stamp on it. I mean compare my 2 favorite versions: Dusty Springfield's (that is true to the depressive, lush intent) and UB40's that obscures and finds the meditative repetitions. Both wonderful and light years apart.