Calamity Jane (probably the most famous cowboy Jane?) was an itinerant alcoholic, so being in bed nursing a swollen head may well be a reference to a major hangover following a night on the town?
"And Schoolboy John's in jail
Making a killing through the U.S. Mail"
A reference to the UNABomber Theodore John Kaczynski who was a child prodigy, entering Harvard at age 16?
Sunshine Sally (Sally Strouth) was a presenter on a kids TV programme which aired on West Texas station KLBK-TV from 1976 to 1980. Crow grew up in Missouri, so most likely a reference to this character remembered from her teens? Peter Ustinov was British movie actor who also narrated a children's cartoon series called Dr Snuggles form the 1980's, so perhaps a reference in similar vein?
Quite stream of consciousness, but the obtuse lyrics are perhaps more meaningful than first appearances suggest? Memories of an acid trip, or attempt at John Lennonesque psychedelic lyrics?
"And Cowboy Jane's in bed Nursing a swollen head"
Calamity Jane (probably the most famous cowboy Jane?) was an itinerant alcoholic, so being in bed nursing a swollen head may well be a reference to a major hangover following a night on the town?
"And Schoolboy John's in jail Making a killing through the U.S. Mail"
A reference to the UNABomber Theodore John Kaczynski who was a child prodigy, entering Harvard at age 16?
Sunshine Sally (Sally Strouth) was a presenter on a kids TV programme which aired on West Texas station KLBK-TV from 1976 to 1980. Crow grew up in Missouri, so most likely a reference to this character remembered from her teens? Peter Ustinov was British movie actor who also narrated a children's cartoon series called Dr Snuggles form the 1980's, so perhaps a reference in similar vein?
Quite stream of consciousness, but the obtuse lyrics are perhaps more meaningful than first appearances suggest? Memories of an acid trip, or attempt at John Lennonesque psychedelic lyrics?
Great song.