Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
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"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Wish I was a Kellogg's Cornflake
Floatin' in my bowl takin' movies,
Relaxin' awhile, livin' in style,
Talkin' to a raisin who 'caisson'ly plays L.A.,
Casually glancing at his toupee.
Wish I was an English muffin
'Bout to make the most out of a toaster.
I'd ease myself down,
Comin' up brown.
I prefer boysenberry
More than any ordinary jam.
I'm a "Citizens for Boysenberry Jam" fan.
Ah, South California.
If I become a first lieutenant
Would you put my photo on your piano?
To Maryjane
Best wishes, Martin.
(Old Roger draft-dodger
Leavin' by the basement door),
Everybody knows what he's
Tippy-toeing down there for
Floatin' in my bowl takin' movies,
Relaxin' awhile, livin' in style,
Talkin' to a raisin who 'caisson'ly plays L.A.,
Casually glancing at his toupee.
Wish I was an English muffin
'Bout to make the most out of a toaster.
I'd ease myself down,
Comin' up brown.
I prefer boysenberry
More than any ordinary jam.
I'm a "Citizens for Boysenberry Jam" fan.
Ah, South California.
If I become a first lieutenant
Would you put my photo on your piano?
To Maryjane
Best wishes, Martin.
(Old Roger draft-dodger
Leavin' by the basement door),
Everybody knows what he's
Tippy-toeing down there for
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Cajun Girl
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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.
Mountain Song
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Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Magical
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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Punky's dilemma is choosing between letting himself be drafted or dodging the draft. That's a true dilemma and was a common one during the Vietnam War. While fixing breakfast and smoking a little marijuana, he indulges in a little whimsical escapism by wishing he had the carefree life of a Kellogg's Corn Flake or an English muffin. In fact, being in Southern California would be a nice escape as well.
As Punky begins thinking about being drafted and being in the Army, he imagines himself being remembered and missed in a romantic, heroic sort of way. His alternative thought is to become a draft dodger, not-so-secretly sneaking around the basement. Punky imagines himself as both Martin the first lieutenant and Roger the Draft Dodger. Which will Punky become?
Artistically, naming Kellogg's Corn Flakes as a brand in the song was unusual in songwriting prior to the sixties. Simon & Garfunkel were probably showing a bit of Andy Warhol's influence who championed everyday items such as Campbell's Soup cans and Brillo boxes as art in the early sixties. John Updike did something similar at the same time by including packaging information word for word that a character was reading while eating breakfast.
The last two or three bars of the song transition from "Punky's Dilemma" to the theme song of the 1954 movie "The High and the Mighty," a film starring John Wayne and Robert Stack. This is a musical pun in a couple of ways. The theme song was famous for its incredible whistling and the whistler in this song goes from "Punky's Dilemma" to "The High and the Mighty," as though Punky is escaping reality again, while the theme song title suggests that Punky is high.
@ironjeff this reply may be 9 years old, but as such now, it only proves over all of that time that YOUR explanation has been the most clear, succinct and correct version. We've now all had years of speculation, rumours and titillating ideas clarified with multiple interviews with S&G, notes on their fan pages, web sites and personal commentary at their concerts. Myself have never stopped listening, learning (or playing guitar) and enjoying their music. I find it extraordinary that even in these times, their lyrics could easily be applied to current political upheaval, world and potential war issues. Even this song could still be applied to several subsequent conflicts ongoing as I write. Interesting how some of our best writers songs/lyrics are having a resurgence and applying to current events with just as much impact as they did back then. It makes one wonder, have we come a full circle, or is it a perpetual circle with each generation facing similar and near identical life situations, making it easier to apply older, much loved and still cherished lyrics to our lives vs much of the trite, manufactured sort of music of today. That said, thank you for your contribution, belated but still appreciated. Warm regards, ladybudd
@ladybudd -- You don\'t need to look far back into history to see that war was not a new thing in the \'60\'s.
this song is about the vietnam war. he is talking about all the things he wishes we was so he wouldn't have to enlist. it's like in the beginning on the song, he is tryin to not think about it. distracting himself from the harsh realities of polotics. towards the end he talks about a "draft-dodger" and how he's hiding trying to escape the draft.
Do you know what MaryJane is? I gues everybody doesn't know what he's tippy toeing down there for.
Marijuana.
The happiest breakfast in the whole world. Wake and bake.
@fixable I’d upvote this a few more times if I could!
such a cute little feel-good song. i love it. it's nonsensical...i have no idea what it means. but it's great!
i think it is about politics i think it wavers on the fine line of nonsensical and true deep meaning, whether it is the most profound piece of poetry in the last 50 or so years or whether its just a fun song about breakfast foods and getting high it is one of my favorite simon and garfunkel songs and off of my favorite album. I think you can take your own meaning from it and make it your own.
or maybe.....as maryjane is cannabis, he's just a bit stoned and his wishing to be food is simply 'the munchies'. would also explain the apparent non-sensical stuff. (= possibly..
Sometimes i'd like to be an English muffin...
Most talented of songwriters at the peak of power. Whimsy and satire with a faux political edge. Paul could do this with a throwaway song such as this, so that it is no throwaway.
i so agree with howtobegood it seriously is THE cutests song ive ever heard and always makes me smile the lines' which i was an english muffin bout to make the most out of a toaster ill ease myself down comin up brown' just imagine a little muffin hahah its soo funny and yeah complete nonscense but thats why i love it so much