Wormwood is a "great star" mentioned in the book of Revelation in the Bible. Apparently, this star will fall to Earth and cause tremendous bitterness and destruction. While many consider this an allusion to a meteorite striking Earth, others look at a much broader sense, such as a powerful being (Hitler?) or plague (drugs, sickness, war?) that will bring about the end of the world as we know it.
The protagonist, Charlie, in this song realizes his demons, whether they be drugs ("pocket full of pills") or infidelity ("seven one-night stands"), and is content to be as he is. He's "in tight" with his demons, even though they could destroy his life like a Wormwood star. However, as stated in the last verse, something overcomes Charlie and saves him from his demise--he "barely saw the light." Perhaps this is Charlie finding religion or simply a better way of life.
As stated in another post, Grant Lee Phillips stated this song is based on the life of Johnny Cash, at least tangentially. There are definite parallels to Cash's life, sowing his wild oats as a young man and finding solace in later life.
So, while Phillips may have begun this song with an allusion to Johnny Cash's life, I think he's looking at a much larger picture--that we all have demons that can overtake our lives if we succumb to these pleasures. But Phillips hints that we don't need to take this path, as there is an alternative to a life filled with demons of deception.
This is a great song from one of America's greatest artists.
Wormwood is a "great star" mentioned in the book of Revelation in the Bible. Apparently, this star will fall to Earth and cause tremendous bitterness and destruction. While many consider this an allusion to a meteorite striking Earth, others look at a much broader sense, such as a powerful being (Hitler?) or plague (drugs, sickness, war?) that will bring about the end of the world as we know it.
The protagonist, Charlie, in this song realizes his demons, whether they be drugs ("pocket full of pills") or infidelity ("seven one-night stands"), and is content to be as he is. He's "in tight" with his demons, even though they could destroy his life like a Wormwood star. However, as stated in the last verse, something overcomes Charlie and saves him from his demise--he "barely saw the light." Perhaps this is Charlie finding religion or simply a better way of life.
As stated in another post, Grant Lee Phillips stated this song is based on the life of Johnny Cash, at least tangentially. There are definite parallels to Cash's life, sowing his wild oats as a young man and finding solace in later life.
So, while Phillips may have begun this song with an allusion to Johnny Cash's life, I think he's looking at a much larger picture--that we all have demons that can overtake our lives if we succumb to these pleasures. But Phillips hints that we don't need to take this path, as there is an alternative to a life filled with demons of deception.
This is a great song from one of America's greatest artists.