Thematically, this song seems to deal with taking unnecessary risks, just for the thrill or the gratification that comes from telling yourself you're pulling off something dangerous. Seeing how high up you are on the bridge, jumping from the train, shouting 'Macbeth' in a theatre (which superstition says will ruin the performance), the thief who has to stay in the house a minute too long just to get one more thing, etc.
Gordie adds some clever twists in too. The bull trying to figure out if he hates the cape or the guy who's audacious enough to taunt him with it. And the chorus suggests all this behaviour is tied to a need to not owe anything to anyone else.
Thematically, this song seems to deal with taking unnecessary risks, just for the thrill or the gratification that comes from telling yourself you're pulling off something dangerous. Seeing how high up you are on the bridge, jumping from the train, shouting 'Macbeth' in a theatre (which superstition says will ruin the performance), the thief who has to stay in the house a minute too long just to get one more thing, etc.
Gordie adds some clever twists in too. The bull trying to figure out if he hates the cape or the guy who's audacious enough to taunt him with it. And the chorus suggests all this behaviour is tied to a need to not owe anything to anyone else.
Really great lyric, like most from The Hip.