It's simplicity is what makes this song beautiful. The child of whom the adult sings is at odds with the world of the "grown-ups", and therefore hides inside her "foolish grin". She is not what 'they' think she is. What she really is is a "secret", known only to herself. In other words, her true self is her "own special friend". She hides her real self in herself.
The sadness of the lyric is that while it captures the child's attitudes and mind-set ("Here, you'll need something to keep her in: / 'Now you stay inside this foolish grin'"), years have indeed gone by. The singer has grown up, and the secret is still a secret. What was a game for the child is now a fact of life. In the world of "grown-ups', you need to put on a face to meet faces with (to steal a phrase from T.S. Eliot). Hypocrisy is required by society, even while it ostensibly frowns upon it. And that means that we all have to contend with a dreadful solitude.
Jones is a truly remarkable singer.
I enjoyed reading your comments on this lyric, even though the years have gone by since you posted them.
I just saw her perform this past Saturday night in Santa Monica. This has always been my all-time favorite song. And whilst considering covering it for an upcoming show, I decided to look up its meaning- and came upon this page. And I loved what you wrote so much that I decided to join so that I could comment :-). Thank you for your most astute and excellent interpretation!!
I just saw her perform this past Saturday night in Santa Monica. This has always been my all-time favorite song. And whilst considering covering it for an upcoming show, I decided to look up its meaning- and came upon this page. And I loved what you wrote so much that I decided to join so that I could comment :-). Thank you for your most astute and excellent interpretation!!
I'm sorry that I missed your response. A couple more years have gone by, and it's entirely possible that you may never read this. Nevertheless, thank you so much for your kind words. Is music not remarkable? From opposite ends of the globe, we exchange words -- and are therefore fleetingly brought together -- about a song that deals with the solitary nature of existence. How wonderful.
I'm sorry that I missed your response. A couple more years have gone by, and it's entirely possible that you may never read this. Nevertheless, thank you so much for your kind words. Is music not remarkable? From opposite ends of the globe, we exchange words -- and are therefore fleetingly brought together -- about a song that deals with the solitary nature of existence. How wonderful.
I hope that your gig went well, and that both you and your audience enjoyed your cover of "On Saturday Afternoons".
I hope that your gig went well, and that both you and your audience enjoyed your cover of "On Saturday Afternoons".
It's simplicity is what makes this song beautiful. The child of whom the adult sings is at odds with the world of the "grown-ups", and therefore hides inside her "foolish grin". She is not what 'they' think she is. What she really is is a "secret", known only to herself. In other words, her true self is her "own special friend". She hides her real self in herself.
The sadness of the lyric is that while it captures the child's attitudes and mind-set ("Here, you'll need something to keep her in: / 'Now you stay inside this foolish grin'"), years have indeed gone by. The singer has grown up, and the secret is still a secret. What was a game for the child is now a fact of life. In the world of "grown-ups', you need to put on a face to meet faces with (to steal a phrase from T.S. Eliot). Hypocrisy is required by society, even while it ostensibly frowns upon it. And that means that we all have to contend with a dreadful solitude.
Jones is a truly remarkable singer.
I enjoyed reading your comments on this lyric, even though the years have gone by since you posted them.
Mike Marais, Grahamstown, South Africa
I just saw her perform this past Saturday night in Santa Monica. This has always been my all-time favorite song. And whilst considering covering it for an upcoming show, I decided to look up its meaning- and came upon this page. And I loved what you wrote so much that I decided to join so that I could comment :-). Thank you for your most astute and excellent interpretation!!
I just saw her perform this past Saturday night in Santa Monica. This has always been my all-time favorite song. And whilst considering covering it for an upcoming show, I decided to look up its meaning- and came upon this page. And I loved what you wrote so much that I decided to join so that I could comment :-). Thank you for your most astute and excellent interpretation!!
I'm sorry that I missed your response. A couple more years have gone by, and it's entirely possible that you may never read this. Nevertheless, thank you so much for your kind words. Is music not remarkable? From opposite ends of the globe, we exchange words -- and are therefore fleetingly brought together -- about a song that deals with the solitary nature of existence. How wonderful.
I'm sorry that I missed your response. A couple more years have gone by, and it's entirely possible that you may never read this. Nevertheless, thank you so much for your kind words. Is music not remarkable? From opposite ends of the globe, we exchange words -- and are therefore fleetingly brought together -- about a song that deals with the solitary nature of existence. How wonderful.
I hope that your gig went well, and that both you and your audience enjoyed your cover of "On Saturday Afternoons".
I hope that your gig went well, and that both you and your audience enjoyed your cover of "On Saturday Afternoons".
Good luck with the rest of your life.
Good luck with the rest of your life.