Elliott Smith – Punch and Judy

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A wallflower punch talks to judy
In a crowded corner where anybody can listen in
But they don't read page to page or speak easy
Now they're gonna go say the words
In the wrong order again
They walk in a circle
Through all the sidewalks scenes they used to be apart of one time
Now everybody just stares and whispers
Driving around up and down division street
I used to like it here
It just burns me out to remember
Can't you ever treat anyone nice
I think I'm gonna make the same mistake twice
They draw the curtain
Wait for a call
Pretty lucky if they get any kind of response at all
Can't you ever treat anyone nice
I think I'm gonna make the same mistake twice
I'm gonna make the same mistake twice

Send "Punch and Judy" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by EnjOy IncUbus

Track duration: 02:26

"Punch and Judy" as written by Steven P. Smith

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Punch and Judy song meanings
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22 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Bluesbegger, I think your explanation is very accurate, this is one of my favorite songs by Elliott. Besides, I didn't even know it was about a puppet show from the medieval times, thanks for clarifying that people. R.I.P, My friend!
    Flag RHP1121on July 31, 2009   Link
  • +5
    My Interpretation:This song is about Elliott Smith coming back to Portland, Oregon and visiting with an old friend, and seeing the old neighborhood. As they drive down Division street(Near 6th and Powell[Needle in the Hay] and across town from Alameda [Alameda]) They talk about old times that he "used to be a part of," and how "I used to like it here," but now it "bums me out to remember."

    "Punch and Judy" is a puppet comedy improvisation routine ("They don't read page to page or speak easy") that dates back to medieval times when puppeteers would entertain at "sidewalk scenes" and other social gatherings like Elliott entertained with his bands.

    Portland was once Elliott's town, and he knew everyone around, but now they "just stare and whisper." Once, when adoring fans and friends would rain praise after a curtain call, but now he is "Pretty lucky if they get any kind of response at all."

    But the fact is, Portland will always be Elliott's town.

    Flag bluesbegger123on April 29, 2009   Link
    • 2 Replies
  • 0
    General Comment:Definatly one of my favorites... well i guess they all are.. but this one i hold close to the heart... Great lyrics describing old places and people that knew and liked in the past, and how two people together can be withdrawn from the crowd and be ostricized (SPELLING?) I know it dosnt make much sence but i understand it...
    Flag g0alpost1on February 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I like it when he includes the names of real streets. (Division st in New York? He lived in NY for a bit...)
    Flag jasminepon February 06, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I really like this song. Like someone else said... the beginning sort of has a beach boys sound to it...but I don't mean that in a bad way...it's just kind of interesting. It's pretty.
    Flag bitterbritteron April 25, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Some of the music in this song is kind of reminiscent of happiness off figure 8. I think the subject matter could be interrelated as well. Any thoughts on this?
    Flag prontoldon April 21, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Another thought just came
    In keeping with the theatrical theme, it makes sense too that the first line could be interprated -
    a wallflower: punch talks to just judy...
    almost like a script for the play that know one will see.
    and also because a wallflower sees, and rarely anyone ever sees them seeing the way they see.
    Flag trajunon January 13, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Lincolish, figure your wonderance of the narrators place, take a look at the first two words of the song...
    "A wallflower"
    I will not say that I think Elliott was refering to himself as a wallflower(i.e stephen chboskys book the perks of being a wallflower), but it does fit the perspective from which the song is written.

    all anyone can ever do is speculate
    Flag trajunon January 13, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:similiar to beach boys sure, but more lovely
    Flag Weird0awakening7on January 08, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:is it me or does this song(instrumentally) remind you of the beach boys. dont get me wrong, i love E.S. a whole bunch, i do some covers of his songs on guitar. but still a beach boys beat to me...
    Flag lazyteen69on December 15, 2006   Link

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