In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Hush, little baby, don't say a word
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
And if that mockingbird don't mock real well, well, then
Papa's gonna buy you a freedom bell
Oh, and if that freedom bell don't ring
Papa's gonna buy you a cubic zirconia ring
Oh, and if that cubic zirconia ring don't shine
You're gonna give your papa a real hard time
Now ain't you?
Ain't you, baby, ain't you?
And if that real hard time don't pass
Papa's gonna get wrinkles all upon his face
And then he'll blend in with all the other papas then
Screw the whole mockingbird situation, we can't even afford a medical plan
Now can we?
Oh, baby, now can we?
Mmm-mm, no.
This song won't do. Let's start this over.
Let's start this over.
Hush, little baby, here comes the sandman
Papa's gonna buy you a medical plan
Oh, and if that medical plan don't cover your ass
Papa's gonna buy you a pregnancy test
And if that pregnancy test comes out positive
Well then, girl, I don't know how the hell we're gonna live
Maybe on your bright ideas
Maybe on cigarette butts
Maybe on bubblegum wrappers
Maybe on penalty shots
Ohhh, oh-woo-woo-woo-woo
Woo-woo-woo-woo, woo-woo-woo-wooooo-wo-o
Woooo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woooo
Wooo-woo-woo-woo-woooo
Hush, little baby, don't you cry
You know to you your papa would never, ever lie
Oh, hush while I sing to you this crude little lullaby
And I'll get you all that shit one day
One by one, by and by
But in the meanwhile
In the mean-mean
In the mean-mean-mean-mean-mean-mean-meanwhile
Hush, little baby, don't say a word
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
Oh, and if that mockingbird don't sing
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
A real diamond
No cubic nothing
Like in the movies
With that... what's her name... Monroe... Marilyn
A real, a real diamond
Hush, hush
A real, a real diamond
Hush, hush
A real, a real diamond
Hush, hush
Hush, hush, hush, hush
A real, a real, a real diamond
Hush, hush, hush, hush, hush, hush, hush, huuush
Ha-hawawawush
Haaush up hush hushh
Shh...
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
And if that mockingbird don't mock real well, well, then
Papa's gonna buy you a freedom bell
Oh, and if that freedom bell don't ring
Papa's gonna buy you a cubic zirconia ring
Oh, and if that cubic zirconia ring don't shine
You're gonna give your papa a real hard time
Now ain't you?
Ain't you, baby, ain't you?
And if that real hard time don't pass
Papa's gonna get wrinkles all upon his face
And then he'll blend in with all the other papas then
Screw the whole mockingbird situation, we can't even afford a medical plan
Now can we?
Oh, baby, now can we?
Mmm-mm, no.
This song won't do. Let's start this over.
Let's start this over.
Hush, little baby, here comes the sandman
Papa's gonna buy you a medical plan
Oh, and if that medical plan don't cover your ass
Papa's gonna buy you a pregnancy test
And if that pregnancy test comes out positive
Well then, girl, I don't know how the hell we're gonna live
Maybe on your bright ideas
Maybe on cigarette butts
Maybe on bubblegum wrappers
Maybe on penalty shots
Ohhh, oh-woo-woo-woo-woo
Woo-woo-woo-woo, woo-woo-woo-wooooo-wo-o
Woooo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woooo
Wooo-woo-woo-woo-woooo
Hush, little baby, don't you cry
You know to you your papa would never, ever lie
Oh, hush while I sing to you this crude little lullaby
And I'll get you all that shit one day
One by one, by and by
But in the meanwhile
In the mean-mean
In the mean-mean-mean-mean-mean-mean-meanwhile
Hush, little baby, don't say a word
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
Oh, and if that mockingbird don't sing
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
A real diamond
No cubic nothing
Like in the movies
With that... what's her name... Monroe... Marilyn
A real, a real diamond
Hush, hush
A real, a real diamond
Hush, hush
A real, a real diamond
Hush, hush
Hush, hush, hush, hush
A real, a real, a real diamond
Hush, hush, hush, hush, hush, hush, hush, huuush
Ha-hawawawush
Haaush up hush hushh
Shh...
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Gentle Hour
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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,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
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/
absolutely amazing.
Why is Regina so awesome?
She just is. Love her to bits.
She just is. Love her to bits.
i think this is about a dysfunctional family, or maybe she thinks minimum wage should be raised, or both.
It's frightening.
Speculation: a father trying to comfort his daughter, whom he might be abusing. If that were the case, the parts about what he'll buy might be his way of trying to buy her forgiveness. At the same time, he seems to be blaming her for the problem.
That's just my idea...
I don't think it's about abuse. I think it's just a father who realizes the reality of his situation. He can't afford all the nice things he'd like to give his daughter. At first, he tries to pretend that he can, but gets fed up with it and gets bitter and "crude." He then regains his hope and can comfort his daughter with promises of a better future full of the luxuries he wants for her.
But that's just another opinion.
In other news, I could not possibly love Regina more than I do right now. I listened to this song for the first time five minutes ago and have come to the conclusion that it is ridiculous how amazing she is.
And the contrast between her beautiful voice and the harsh reality of the song is amazing.
This is exactly what I was thinking, great interpreataion!
"And if that pregnancy test comes out positive, then girl i don't know how the hell we're going to live. Maybe on your bright ideas," - amazing line!!
I never thought that the father was singing directly to his daughter; I felt this was more of a look into his head. I got the impression that this character is a kind father, who does his best to support and comfort his daughter. The line "what's her name? Monroe, Marilyn" is what endeared this man to me. He doesn't think he's exactly World's Greatest Dad material, doesn't exactly know how to be, feels guilty because of his deficit of cash. It feels like Regina is saying, "He tries, he really does, to be someone his daughter can depend on and admire, but he's living on minimum wage, can't afford to buy her the latest things, can't remember the names of the celebrities who inhabit the posters on her wall."
But he's obviously frustrated and downtrodden (and has a sense of humor), and these are his tongue-in-cheek thoughts. That's what I got from it.
this song is great and real!! kinda funny at times too! and then sad