This is great late-period Cooley. Many of his songs are mysteries, but in this case, I think this song is (initially) told from a son's perspective watching his dad get older.
The kid is reflecting on the old man's views of his mom, whom dad long ago divorced, dismissing her as a "basket case." But now it appears Dad may be losing it because Mom can "survive" under the present circumstances.
The narrative switches as the father reflects back to when he actually cared for her back when they were kids hanging out in parking lots.
The final verse is back in the son's frame of mind. His sister is about to wed. His mom is focused on planning the event, but his old man seems damaged by the years of dysfunction and distance. The best he can do is stare through his own taillights as he moves towards his inevitable demise.
(This from the perspective of a 58-year old single parent whose watching his kids turn into adults.)
This is great late-period Cooley. Many of his songs are mysteries, but in this case, I think this song is (initially) told from a son's perspective watching his dad get older.
The kid is reflecting on the old man's views of his mom, whom dad long ago divorced, dismissing her as a "basket case." But now it appears Dad may be losing it because Mom can "survive" under the present circumstances.
The narrative switches as the father reflects back to when he actually cared for her back when they were kids hanging out in parking lots.
The final verse is back in the son's frame of mind. His sister is about to wed. His mom is focused on planning the event, but his old man seems damaged by the years of dysfunction and distance. The best he can do is stare through his own taillights as he moves towards his inevitable demise.
(This from the perspective of a 58-year old single parent whose watching his kids turn into adults.)