I've heard this was a subtle dig at Springsteen, but I really think it goes a lot deeper than that. Basically, it's a story of ' life's a bitch ' . A story of how the fun things in life are far too often overshadowed by the bad. The writer tells how he is a realist, looking at life in terms of grim realities and harsh truths, and ends by suggesting that there are those who will ignore these regardless and hopefully they'll never see the truth ( Pretty streamers - guess this world needs its' dreamers, may they never wake up! )
Never fai to be moved to tears by the haunting last verse - Little boy got a hot rod.. etc. So close to the truth it's not funny. Young and indestructible, but ignorant to that harsh reality of life. Perhaps the greatest lyric ever in the history of popular music, by the greatest ever lyricist. Paddy McAloon is a genius.
I've heard this was a subtle dig at Springsteen, but I really think it goes a lot deeper than that. Basically, it's a story of ' life's a bitch ' . A story of how the fun things in life are far too often overshadowed by the bad. The writer tells how he is a realist, looking at life in terms of grim realities and harsh truths, and ends by suggesting that there are those who will ignore these regardless and hopefully they'll never see the truth ( Pretty streamers - guess this world needs its' dreamers, may they never wake up! ) Never fai to be moved to tears by the haunting last verse - Little boy got a hot rod.. etc. So close to the truth it's not funny. Young and indestructible, but ignorant to that harsh reality of life. Perhaps the greatest lyric ever in the history of popular music, by the greatest ever lyricist. Paddy McAloon is a genius.