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Hotel Yorba was a breath of fresh air the first time I heard it on MTV2 (or was it VH1?).–you know, back when MTV2 played music videos. The song’s simple sound really stood out amongst the overly produced “alternative” crap, the lousy hip-hop, the terribly bad girl-pop, and the excrescent bad metal. Three chords, very minimal and hopeful, heck, the first time I’d heard skiffle since Lonnie Donnegan, just a really great sound. I fell in love with the song immediately.

The meaning of the song is very straightforward, about a man and woman in love. I love the heartfelt, honest feeling behind Jack White’s vocals, however, and that’s something else that really makes it all work.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

I was watching
With one eye on the other side
I had fifteen people telling me to move
I got moving on my mind
I found shelter
In some thoughts turning wheels around
I said 39 times that I love you
To the beauty I had found

And it’s 4 5 6 7
Grab your umbrella
Grab hold of me
‘Cause I’m your favorite fella
All they got inside is vacancy

That’s right. I said it. Rap. Subterranean Homesick Blues is a rap song. Deal with it.

Oh, and Subterranean Homesick Blues is a great rap song. A great song period. There’s shedloads of info about it on Wikipedia. It’s a good read.

Personally, I love the song for it’s feel and shape, and for the very interesting lyrics. In fact, if I were the sort of pretentious internet blogging types who like to analyze lyrics endlessly and toss out pompous words like “zeitgest”, I would do just that.

Ah, what the hey? Just take these with a grain of salt, as I’m really doing them off the top of my head.

The first four lines of the first verse apparently refer to LSD, at least according to the Wikipedia article.

I believe the next four lines refer to what was once known as the “blue flu”, a phrase I haven’t heard in a long time. Because police were not allowed to strike by law, instead all of the officers would call in sick at the same time, there way of protesting for higher wages.

I believe that the “ducking down the alley” line is a reference to soliciting a male prostitute.

Sadly, no good idea about the man in the coonskin cap.

I believe the first eight lines from verse number two refer to the widespread belief (and possible truth) about the FBI wiretapping pretty much anyone they felt like for whatever reason.

The rest of the verse refers to a handful of different things. The fire hose line is easily a reference to the civil rights movement and the use of fire hoses to dispel peaceful demonstrations. The references to keeping a clean nose and watching the plainclothes likely have more to do with police entrapment than cocaine, and I imagine the ‘No Doz” reference is about amphetamines. Finally, I didn’t realize that the Weathermen took their cue from Dylan and not vice versa, but there you go.

Other than the parking meters possibly being a reference to Cool Hand Luke, I don’t have a good idea as to what most of the third verse is about.

The first part of the fourth verse is sort of a story of life sort of thing, with bitter discontent about some of the realities of being a scholar. The rest deals with the idea that going underground is the best way of life–although that’s said somewhat tongue-in-cheek as well.

Okay, enough of me blathering. Please feel free to add your own opinions. Here’s a link to the famous D.A. Pennebaker film clip

And of course, the lyrics:

Johnny’s in the basement
Mixing up the medicine
I’m on the pavement
Thinking about the government
The man in the trench coat
Badge out, laid off
Says he’s got a bad cough
Wants to get it paid off
Look out kid
It’s somethin’ you did
God knows when
But you’re doin’ it again
You better duck down the alley way
Lookin’ for a new friend
The man in the coon-skin cap
In the big pen
Wants eleven dollar bills
You only got ten

Ah get born, keep warm
Short pants, romance, learn to dance
Get dressed, get blessed
Try to be a success
Please her, please him, buy gifts
Don’t steal, don’t lift
Twenty years of schoolin’
And they put you on the day shift
Look out kid
They keep it all hid
Better jump down a manhole
Light yourself a candle
Don’t wear sandals
Try to avoid the scandals
Don’t wanna be a bum
You better chew gum
The pump don’t work
‘Cause the vandals took the handles

This song isn’t exactly fun, but it does have a great melody, and I love Sarah Bettens’s semi-deadpan vocals.

tackymutant had this to say about the song on SongMeanings:

I bought K’s Choice ‘10′ which has songs from 93 till 03. It’s a great album. In the sleeve Sarah say’s about this song “I tried to paint a picture of a mental patient who feels grateful for being put in a situation where he’s no longer responsible for anything, a life in which other people decide for you and all you have to do is smile and be nice”

It’s exactly the way she paints it.

I think that sums it up for me.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

I don’t know who you are
But you seem very nice
So will you talk to me
Shall I tell you a story
Shall I tell you a dream
They think I’m crazy
But they don’t know that I like it here
It’s nice in here, I get everything for free

I don’t know who you are
But you seem very nice
So will you talk to me
Have you been here before
Well, you sure picked a day
They think I’m crazy

Yes, I konw there’s no actual band called the Soggy Bottom Boys, but it is the best known version of this song. It’s a very nice song as well–the harmonies and the guitar really make it all work.

From Wikipedia:

“Man of Constant Sorrow” is a traditional American folk song first performed by Dick Burnett, a partially blind fiddler from Kentucky. The song was originally recorded by Burnett as “Farewell Song” printed in a Richard Burnett songbook, c. 1913. An early version was recorded by Emry Arthur in 1928 (Vocalion Vo 5208).

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

(chorus) In constant sorrow through his days

(chorus) He’ll meet you on God’s golden shore

Well, this song is just great lunacy, perfect for singing around the campfire or in the bar whilst downing several pints of quality ale or lager. It’s a cute, funny and amusing song, and I’m glad to have heard it many years ago.

Oh yeah, the guys from Love and Rockets (not Los Bros Hernandez, but the band) did some backup vocals on this one.

Here’s a link to a fan video

And of course, the lyrics:

Chorus:

yee hah.

Two Of Us is both a sweet and a bittersweet song for several reasons:

• It was one of the last times we heard Paul McCartney and John Lennon sing in harmony
• It’s a very sweet, heartfelt song. Initially written for Linda Eastmann (or was she McCartney by then?), it actually serves as sort of a tribute to John Lennon
• It’s cheerful and wistful at the same time–it sounds like a song about an everlasting friendship, but ultimately you can tell it’s a goodbye song as well.

One way or the other, it’s a great song.

Here’s some information/speculation from the usual suspects:

• Wikipedia
• SongFacts
• SongMeanings

Here’s a link to a clip from Let It Be

And of course, the lyrics:

Two of us riding nowhere
Spending someone’s
Hard earned pay
Two of us Sunday driving
Not arriving
On our way back home
We’re on our way home
We’re on our way home
We’re going home

(Repeat bridge & last verse)

This is such a sweet and lovely song. I love the harmonies, the melody…it’s pretty much perfect.

There’s some background info at Wikipedia, and some suggested interpretations at SongMeanings and SongFacts, but other than the fact that the song was originally titled “Auntie Gin’s Theme” (allegedly, Paul McCartney’s Aunt Gin really liked the song), I’m not going to say anything more on the subject. It’s a love song. A silly love song, you could say. I think it’s best to stop pondering it’s meaning and just enjoy it for what it is.

Here’s a link to a fan video

And of course, the lyrics:

I’ve just seen a face,
I can’t forget the time or place
Where we just met.
She’s just the girl for me
And I want all the world to see
We’ve met, mmm-mmm-mmm-m’mmm-mmm.
Had it been another day
I might have looked the other way
And I’d have never been aware.
But as it is I’ll dream of her
Tonight, di-di-di-di’n'di.
Falling, yes I am falling,
And she keeps calling
Me back again.
I have never known
The like of this, I’ve been alone
And I have missed things
And kept out of sight
But other girls were never quite
Like this, mmm-mmm-mmm-m’mmm-mmm.
Falling, yes I am falling,
And she keeps calling
Me back again.
Falling, yes I am falling,
And she keeps calling
Me back again.
I’ve just seen a face,
I can’t forget the time or place
Where we just met.
She’s just the girl for me
And I want all the world to see
We’ve met, mmm-mmm-mmm-di’n'di
Falling, yes I am falling,
And she keeps calling
Me back again.
Oh, falling, yes I am falling,
And she keeps calling
Me back again.

This song, from Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love is very uplifting and fun, and I can’t help but dance when I listen.

Apparently, the second side of the album is entitled The Ninth Wave (something I just found out today), and is the story of someone most likely facing death and dealing with the psychological issues at hand. Additionally, there appears to be someone trying to keep the young woman from accepting her death. You can see some additional info at SongMeanings.net

Here’s a link to a fan video

And of course, the lyrics:

Hello, old lady.
I know your face well.
I know it well.

“Over here!
“Over here!
Can’t you see where memories are kept bright?
Tripping on the water like a laughing girl.
Time in her eyes is spawning past life,
One with the ocean and the woman unfurled,
Holding all the love that waits for you here.
Catch us now for I am your future.
A kiss on the wind and we’ll make the land.
Come over here to where When lingers,
Waiting in this empty world,
Waiting for Then, when the lifespray cools.
For Now does ride in on the curl of the wave,
And you will dance with me in the sunlit pools.
We are of the going water and the gone.
We are of water in the holy land of water
And all that’s to come runs in
With the thrust on the strand.”