The Wallflowers – Josephine

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  My Interpretation:I gave the pedo theory a little thought and I don't think it's plausible.
  The overall tone of the song is of gratitude and tenderness. (the sleeping on the floor bit is non sexual)
  
  The cuts are metaphorical of course, implying he has suffered.
  
  He's a drifter who has lost everything and is praising this sweet girl who warmed his heart. Josephine became his anchor.
  He offers to make her ribbons from paper bags because he has nothing else to give.

  Flag Edenferon January 23, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:I have to agree with Archaia Sophia and Nillerz about the pedo theory...The line "Won't you come and help me with these cuts of mine?" sounds similar to what a pedo/kidnapper would say to a kid to lure them into a false sense of security.

  Flag bazingaon August 06, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:The only person who is even CLOSE to the actual meaning of this song is Archaia Sophia. The last verse definately makes sure to demonstrate that it's a pedo story.
  
  "I knew I was wrong... I knew all along. But I got so far from my home, I never thought I'd be so lonesome."
  
  He's in love with someone who is way too young for him, someone who is still in school. He's also unashamed of it, he only acknowledges that the him from a few months ago, or when he was still near his family, would never think something like this would happen.
  
  Sorry if I just ruined this song, but seriously guys, read the lyrics. Same is true for those who think that Lily by the Smashing Pumpkins is not about a stalker when the lyrics clearly indicate that that is the point.
  
  I think women just have wishful romantic thinking.

  Flag Nillerzon August 03, 2009   Link

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    Okay, to be honest, Ive been in relationships with older guys, especially one that's been like the one guy I wanted like no other, and to me, with this song, he's saying 'yeah, i feel this way too about her,' and like, she is younger and he's older than her [obviously] but there's not necessarily a creepy age difference. Maybe she's like 17/18 and he's early or mid-20's. (five year difference tops) So they are mentally and emotionally on the same level and feel things for each other.
    
    But i absolutely love the line "you must taste just like sugar and tangerines..." almost got that tattooed on my ribs.

    Flag GarchOfTay14on January 07, 2010  
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  General Comment:at first i thought this was ur regular love song. looking at the lyrics again, i get a feeling that its about a father whos lost custody of his daughter for some reason. its clear that josephine is young, but the lyrics dont seem all that creepy. the tasting like sugar reference is a little weird, but it can easily be an innocent analogy. he says hes been bad and that hes lonely. this could be creepy too, but it could also mean that he lost custody. the paper bag line probably means hes lost everything, but will still try anything to make josephine happy. i still dont get a couple lines, though, like the two lines about cuts and how hes disconnecting his heart. the sleeping over part is kind of weird, too. sleeping on the floor takes out the sexual connatation, but other than him wanting to be close to her i cant find much meaning it. it has to be important though because it sets up the lines for half the song. suggestions r welcome.

  Flag ForestFire93on May 11, 2009   Link

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  My Interpretation:The making ribbons from a paper bag thing is my favorite line in any Wallflowers song. My interpretation of it is that the narrator believes that he is not good enough for "Josephine" and that she is so many levels above him that it's analogous to paper bags and ribbon. He is saying that he would change for her, and become something better. He says that even though she may not believe that he could be a good partner, that he could make himself into something better to fit her, just to make her happy. This is a beautiful way of saying how much he loves her.

  Flag Bazooka27on November 13, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:something like his daughter who has a few days old and he feels pretty good... and he can make her ribbons even from paper bags

  Flag isamathiason July 13, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:1st time I heard this song I thought it was made for a little girl.. something like a 'father-daughter' song. But there are many phrases that make you think it couldn't be said by a father to a little girl... that's a doubt!
  anyway, awesome lyrics, awesome melody!

  Flag isamathiason July 13, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:This was my favorite song on BDTH until I listened more closely to the lyrics. Maybe it's just me, but does anyone else get kind of a creepy pedophile vibe from this song? He keeps emphasizing how young she is, her "schoolgirl style," and talks about how he's watched her walking home from school. (Does she know he's been doing that?) The main question for me is: how old is Josephine, and how old is the narrator? If the narrator is her age and they're both teenagers, then the song becomes sweet and beautiful again. But his offer to drive her into town raises the question of whether or not she can drive herself into town, and the line about making ribbons from a paper bag makes her seem very young. (Do grown women wear ribbons in their hair? No. Do teen girls wear ribbons in their hair? No. Who does? Very little girls.)
  
  I hope I didn't just crap all over the song for everyone here, because it really is a gorgeous song and I love it too. I'm just saying, there's something of a disturbing undercurrent in the lyrics...

  Flag Archaia Sophiaon April 16, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:hehe, my names josephine :)

  Flag *JoSIe*on April 08, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:MMmmm Josephine and your 4 day old ass cum ! YES YES!

  Flag apotheosis23on August 31, 2005   Link

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