This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
I keep hearing you're concerned about my happiness.
All that thought you're giving me is conscience, I guess.
If I were walking in your shoes, I wouldn't worry none.
While you and your friends are worrying 'bout me, I'm having lots of fun.
Counting flowers on the wall,
That don't bother me at all.
Playing Solitaire till dawn,
With a deck of fifty-one.
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo.
Now, don't tell me I've nothing to do.
Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the town.
As long as I can dream, it's hard to slow this swinger down.
So please don't give a thought to me, I'm really doing fine.
You can always find me here, having quite a time.
Counting flowers on the wall,
That don't bother me at all.
Playing Solitaire till dawn,
With a deck of fifty-one.
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo.
Now, don't tell me I've nothing to do.
Well, it's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright.
Anyway my eyes are not accustomed to this light.
And my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete.
So I must go back to my room and make my day complete.
Counting flowers on the wall,
That don't bother me at all.
Playing Solitaire till dawn,
With a deck of fifty-one.
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo.
Now, counting flowers on the wall,
That don't bother me at all.
Playing Solitaire till dawn,
With a deck of fifty-one.
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo.
Now, don't tell me I've nothing to do.
Don't tell me I've nothing to do.
All that thought you're giving me is conscience, I guess.
If I were walking in your shoes, I wouldn't worry none.
While you and your friends are worrying 'bout me, I'm having lots of fun.
Counting flowers on the wall,
That don't bother me at all.
Playing Solitaire till dawn,
With a deck of fifty-one.
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo.
Now, don't tell me I've nothing to do.
Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the town.
As long as I can dream, it's hard to slow this swinger down.
So please don't give a thought to me, I'm really doing fine.
You can always find me here, having quite a time.
Counting flowers on the wall,
That don't bother me at all.
Playing Solitaire till dawn,
With a deck of fifty-one.
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo.
Now, don't tell me I've nothing to do.
Well, it's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright.
Anyway my eyes are not accustomed to this light.
And my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete.
So I must go back to my room and make my day complete.
Counting flowers on the wall,
That don't bother me at all.
Playing Solitaire till dawn,
With a deck of fifty-one.
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo.
Now, counting flowers on the wall,
That don't bother me at all.
Playing Solitaire till dawn,
With a deck of fifty-one.
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo.
Now, don't tell me I've nothing to do.
Don't tell me I've nothing to do.
Lyrics submitted by OpinionHead
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The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
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Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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Dusty Springfield
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
People are trying to read way to much into this song. It's just a guy who's girl/wife left him & now he's depressed but trying to hide it from his ex.
Thank you, Ghostwatch, these other explanations are at best moronic. <br /> <br /> Heroin? Insane asylum? Wow, people, really?
I totally agree with both of you as far as the song's original intent. However, the lyrics are so depressing while being sung in such an upbeat manner, you can't help but to feel like the song itself is a little bit crazy. I think the other interpretations of it are also valid since the meaning is really in what the listener wants it to be and that is what makes this song so popular. Even if you take just the literal interpretation, I think we can relate to the state of near insanity we feel when you are in this situation, everyone has been there at one time or another.
Bless you, ghostwatch, for keeping this analysis on the ground. It's a just a torch song; a guy busted up and lonely since his girl left him and trying to let on that life is good anyway.<br /> Folks - you really have to read the lines before you go blind trying to read between 'em!
Bless you, ghostwatch, for keeping this analysis on the ground. It's a just a torch song; a guy busted up and lonely since his girl left him and trying to let on that life is good anyway.<br /> Folks - you really have to read the lines before you go blind trying to read between 'em!
.....I think it's actually about a guy saddened by a woman leaving him, but he doesn't want her to know and pretends to be all good and chippy but looks bad "I know I look a fright" it's so cheery yet the lyrics are of depression,
"I'm not accustomed to this light"
and he is also sad that he cannot go out to town
"Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the town. As long as I can dream, it's hard to slow this swinger down"
but it's a ok....
InkTits, not every song we hear is about drugs
well i take the song literally just a guy who doesn't want to see a woman and doing everything else to avoid it
Lezgurl you are right it is about a scizophrenic stuck on a binge in his room you can read about it anywhere online. An old scizophrenic friend of mine used to sing it all the time when he'd go ooff his meds that's how we knew he was off of them :)
This song pretty much means that he'd rather stay at home doing nothing than spend time with the person he's singing to. (: Amazing song. I love it.
Anyone ever heard of agoraphobia?
"You can always find me here, having quite a time" never leaves the house
"Well, it's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright" Would make a lot of sense if he met this person outside his house...
"Anyway my eyes are not accustomed to this light. And my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete" I could understand the light for a junkie, but the shoes?
Seems like the guy never leaves his room - hotel room or otherwise. It seems like he really doesn't like the outside and even fears it (as he actually states he looks scared).
That's just my explanation as to why he never leaves the house.. it is actually about an isolated man. "The song is a blackly humorous account of a strange man's isolated lifestyle and how he passes the time alone - including counting the number of flower patterns on the wallpaper" So apparently it is literal.
@Flashwc 10/10 its a shut-in. It took me one listen as a kid.<br /> Im glad someone on here figured it out, <br /> its hardly a riddle.
InkTit, when trying to decipher the meaning of lyrics, it might help to look at the song as a whole instead of one line. Nothing else in the song suggests drugs at all.
.....Flashwc, I never though of agoraphobia, which is a pretty good idea of it's meaning, my only thought is that "not accustomed to this light" would indicate that this is not a life he's led, and the same with "shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete" which is just as evident as the eyes, but I can see agoraphobia, I don't think he's (the singer/character) is "completely" isolated, as he is talking to someone, and the person shows concern or curiousity for at least asking him how he is and such, anyhow, that's that....
A friend told me this song is about masturbation, but I don't really agree. More likely it's just about doing nothing and wasting time, plain and simple, which I think almost any person can relate to. Maybe the hero of the song is a guy who is going through a particularly troubling (or just boring) part of his life, and it's driving him a little crazy. It's just about pointless activity, filling the hours and being in a weird state of peace with the process.