# The "explain what this song means, please" thread. All songs welcome. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 17, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751 "2008-04-17T17:25:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/21 "2008-04-19T22:54:17Z")
[QUOTE=Askance] I’ve puzzled over this one too. I think “kinder murder” is a play on “a kind’a murder”, ie “a kind of murder”. Here’s my take on it: the child is the girl who got raped, and she’s gone missing because she’s been murdered by the others in the guilty soldier’s regiment to protect their regimental honour. The photo that fit his face was an identikit-type image that someone recognised. Dishonoured Jimmy is the rapist; the first he knew about the murder is when he read it in the papers, and realises what’s been done in his name and by whom. He takes his friend’s car and kills himself (as he’s just taking up space, ie has no future), perhaps by driving off the road. The knickers in the handbag and the one false eyelash I think were clues to the rape found by the police, that might have led them to him. [/QUOTE] By Jove, I think you’ve got it! It all makes sense now. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/22 "2008-04-20T00:25:43Z")
[QUOTE=Annie-Xmas] [American Pie](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_398b.html) [/QUOTE] [post=8698481]Don McLean speaks out about the meaning of American Pie[/post] ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/23 "2008-04-20T01:06:49Z")
[QUOTE=koeeoaddi] I think the failed relationship falls under the ‘don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone’ rubric. [/QUOTE] I agree, but from whose POV? I.e. did Joni fail to appreciate the guy enough or vice-versa? I’m betting on the latter. E.g. she sings “Hey farmer farmer, put away the DDT now; give me spots on apples, but leave me the birds and the bees.” The guy probably found some trivial thing he didn’t like about her and left. But she’s wiser than he is. She knows better than to pave paradise to put up a parking lot. Maybe he’ll figure it out later, but it will be too late. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/24 "2008-04-20T01:20:11Z")
I’m dyin’ to know what \*[Miss Murder](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/afi/missmurder.html) \* by AFI is about. It seems to have something to do with god forsaking man, but then who the hell is Miss Murder? [QUOTE=Miss Murder] Hey Miss Murder can I Make beauty stay if I, Take my life? The stars that pierce the sky; He left them all behind. We’re left to wonder why He left us all behind. [/QUOTE] Extra squid kisses for anyone who can solve this mystery. p.s. Isn’t ‘‘my old man’’ an expression for ‘‘father’’ not ‘‘husband’’? I always heard the song _Big Yellow Taxi_ from the point of view of a little kid. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/25 "2008-04-20T02:16:28Z")
[QUOTE=CaerieD] My theory was that it was about being really, _really_ high. Either than or it’s frickin’ nonsense. [/QUOTE] I just figured that since they are young, and probably stay out all night drinking and doing drugs, that they woke up that day at one or two, so 9 PM is _like_ their afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/26 "2008-04-20T02:24:43Z")
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant] Robert Johnson’s _Hellhound On My Trail._ “If today was Christmas Eve and tomorrow was Christmas Day” Are particularly confusing lines to this little White boy. [/QUOTE] If today was Christmas Eve wouldn’t tomorrow \*have \*to be Christmas Day? The whole stanza goes like this : > [@](#): > > If today was Christmas Eve > and tomorrow was Christmas Day > > If today was Christmas Eve > > ``` > and tomorrow was Christmas Day > spoken: Aow, wouldn't we have a time, baby? > > ``` > > All I would need my little sweet rider just > > ``` > to pass the time away, huh huh > to pass the time away > > ``` It sounds to me like he is just fantasizing about spending time with his “little sweet rider,” and what a perfect time that would be. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/27 "2008-04-20T02:34:46Z")
[QUOTE=olivesmarch4th] p.s. Isn’t ‘‘my old man’’ an expression for ‘‘father’’ not ‘‘husband’’? I always heard the song _Big Yellow Taxi_ from the point of view of a little kid. [/QUOTE] According to Wikipedia… \*Old man or Old Man may informally mean: Father Husband Boyfriend Captain of a merchant ship or a Warship “Old Man” of La Chapelle-au-Saints, a skeleton Joe “Old Man” Paruta famous member of the Gambino Crime Family. \* > **[Old man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_man)** > > Old man, Old Man or The Old Man may refer to: ---
**Author:** ![The\_Them](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@The\_Them](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Them)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/28 "2008-04-20T02:51:07Z")
**Krokodil** beat me to it. (Darn you! _Shakes fist_) _Jackie Blue_ is a description of a chick nearly to the bughouse, and a lyrical interpretation of what they THINK might be going on in her head. Whether or not this had anything to do with any personal experiences of the songwriter(s) - your guess good as mine. As **Krokodil** mentioned, it seems to have been a popular subject at the time, perhaps influenced by _Pink Floyd’s_ “Shine On, You Crazy Diamond” which really _was_ a tale about someone they really _did_ know. Larry Lee has a high singing voice, so yeah, it’s a guy singing. [More than you could possibly care about.](http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3481) No, I have never found this song cool & enchanting. Why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/29 "2008-04-20T03:08:40Z")
The Last time by Keene. Is the guy going to commit suicide? Is he going to stop seeing her or is he telling himself that he’s going to stop seeing her but is lying to himself? I tried googling to get an answer but no joy so anyone who DOES know the ri9ght answer will have my gratitude in spades. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/30 "2008-04-20T14:13:23Z")
[QUOTE=Risha] Or Pearl Jam’s “Alive”. [/QUOTE] _Alive_ is part of a series of songs that Vedder termed the “Mamasan Trilogy,” which he wrote in sequence. You can read about the songs and his explanations [on this site](http://www.fivehorizons.com/songs/dec99/index.shtml)… ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/31 "2008-04-20T15:15:08Z")
Leonard Cohens’s “Halleluja”- OK- he fell in love and she cut his hair, bit why the flag? Bad love? ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/32 "2008-04-20T18:06:18Z")
[QUOTE=Ca3799] Leonard Cohens’s “Halleluja”- OK- he fell in love and she cut his hair, bit why the flag? Bad love? [/QUOTE] What’s it to ya? ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/33 "2008-04-21T00:38:36Z")
[QUOTE=Snooooopy] What’s it to ya? [/QUOTE] Because the title to the thread is ’ The “explain what this song means, please” thread. All songs welcome.’ Oh, wait a minute. You know, but won’t tell.. :dubious: ) ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/34 "2008-04-21T00:52:57Z")
[QUOTE=Ca3799] Leonard Cohens’s “Halleluja”- OK- he fell in love and she cut his hair, bit why the flag? Bad love? [/QUOTE] He seems to be addressing someone who thinks (or thought) love is analogous to warfare and she’s the winner. > [@L. Cohen](#): > > I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch > love is not a victory march > it’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah > [@Ca3799](#): > > ## **Originally Posted by Snooooopy** What’s it to ya? > > Because the title to the thread is ’ The “explain what this song means, please” thread. All songs welcome.’ Depending on what version of the song you’re familiar with, you may not be aware that Sno…opy was quoting Cohen’s lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/35 "2008-04-21T01:12:09Z")
I love Simon & Garfunkel (and solo Simon), but at least half their songs puzzle me. Why did the Mama Pajama jump out of bed and run to the police station? You can call me Al, but what’s that got to do some roly-poly little batface girl? Why indeed deny the obvious, child? ---
**Author:** ![Neon\_Madman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e79b87/32.png) [@Neon\_Madman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neon_Madman)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/36 "2008-04-21T02:36:37Z")
I always figured\* Disarm\* by the Smashing Pumpkins was about an STD… “The Killer in Me is the Killer in You” ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/37 "2008-04-21T03:34:31Z")
What _is_ it about? It’s one of the ones I’d have mentioned in this thread if I remembered any time other than when I’m out driving somewhere… ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/38 "2008-04-21T12:39:50Z")
[QUOTE=Krokodil] Context. In the early 70s, after the success of “Delta Dawn,” there were a whole bunch of songs about insane, spooky misfit women who dabbled in drugs or the occult or both, like “Leave Me Alone,” “Angie Baby” and “Witchy Woman.” They were monstrously popular and for a while a lot of artists jumped on the bandwagon. “Jackie Blue” is just another. Move along, nothing to see here… [/QUOTE] Sounds about right, I suppose… **The Them** , it’s a relief just to know the sex of the singer. I’ll be interested to re-interpret this song the next time I hear it! ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/39 "2008-04-22T10:38:08Z")
[QUOTE=TWDuke] He seems to be addressing someone who thinks (or thought) love is analogous to warfare and she’s the winner.Depending on what version of the song you’re familiar with, you may not be aware that Sno…opy was quoting Cohen’s lyrics. [/QUOTE] Ah- missed that. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751/40 "2008-04-22T11:05:06Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] I love Simon & Garfunkel (and solo Simon), but at least half their songs puzzle me. Why did the Mama Pajama jump out of bed and run to the police station? You can call me Al, but what’s that got to do some roly-poly little batface girl? Why indeed deny the obvious, child? [/QUOTE] I think Mama Pajama went to bail her son out for smoking a J. I assumed the “radical priest” was Rastafarian. But I could be wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-explain-what-this-song-means-please-thread-all-songs-welcome/445751.md?page=3)