Actually, I'm with you BStu, I think at one level this song could be a commentary on sexual orientation in general. I know all of these are a stretch, but . . .
"Oh elope with me in private and we'll set something ablaze / A trail for the devil to erase"
The words "in private" are highly reminiscent of the argument that a government has no right to legislate what people do in private in regard to sodomy laws.
"Ablaze" for some reason reminds me of "flamer" referring to blatantly gay men.
"A trail for the devil to erase" also seems to bring up the accusations of some christians that homosexuality is sin.
"San Fransisco's calling us the Giants and Mets will play / Piazza new york Catcher are you straight or are you gay?"
These references are pretty obvious: San Fransisco and questioning one's sexuality.
"We'll comment on the decor and we'll help the passer by / And at dusk when work is over we'll continue the debate / In a borrowed bedroom virginal and spare"
"We'll comment on the decor and we'll help the passer by" seems to refer to stereotypes of gay men, especially television shows in which gay men do help somewhat random people with decor and fasion.
"we'll continue the debate" seems to refer to the debate over gay rights, or possibly the debate over whether one in a homosexual couple should come out, perhaps as BStu has said about the pitcher/catcher metaphor.
Now bear with me, but in addition to its literal meaning, "a borrowed bedroom virginal and spare" may refer to sexuality, though this is very shaky, I know.
"The catcher hits for .318 and catches every day / The pitcher puts religion first and rests on holidays"
Oh, this passage! The pitcher and catcher metaphor as it relates to sexuality comes to mind, but also, "The pitcher puts religion first and rests on holidays" seems not only to refer to a baseball player (whomever you say that player is) but also seems to refer to the apprehension of some homosexuals for whom religion is a large part of their lives.
"I wish that you were here with me to pass the dull weekend / I know it wouldn't come to love my heroine pretend"
This is also shaky, but "my heroine pretend" may refer to a gay lover, as some would say that he takes the place of a woman in a sexual relationship, though I personally disagree with this idea.
Anyway, there is textual evidence for this, but I may be over-analyzing this. However, most of Belle and Sebastian's songs have many many layers of meaning, so it is not unlikely that this is a song about a young couple, baseball, and homosexuality, and numerous other subjects. I think perhaps I'm inclined to like this interpretation because I'm gay myself, but it has some merit nonetheless.
also, "Tenderloin" is a district in San Francisco prominent for having been the cultural centre of the sexually diverse... some of the city's first gay bars were opened there, and stuff
also, "Tenderloin" is a district in San Francisco prominent for having been the cultural centre of the sexually diverse... some of the city's first gay bars were opened there, and stuff
you can set something ablaze with hot heterosexual sex that would similarly be a 'trail for the devil to erase.." just saying. that's just not qualifiable contextual evidence. sorry.
you can set something ablaze with hot heterosexual sex that would similarly be a 'trail for the devil to erase.." just saying. that's just not qualifiable contextual evidence. sorry.
Actually, I'm with you BStu, I think at one level this song could be a commentary on sexual orientation in general. I know all of these are a stretch, but . . .
"Oh elope with me in private and we'll set something ablaze / A trail for the devil to erase"
The words "in private" are highly reminiscent of the argument that a government has no right to legislate what people do in private in regard to sodomy laws.
"Ablaze" for some reason reminds me of "flamer" referring to blatantly gay men.
"A trail for the devil to erase" also seems to bring up the accusations of some christians that homosexuality is sin.
"San Fransisco's calling us the Giants and Mets will play / Piazza new york Catcher are you straight or are you gay?"
These references are pretty obvious: San Fransisco and questioning one's sexuality.
"We'll comment on the decor and we'll help the passer by / And at dusk when work is over we'll continue the debate / In a borrowed bedroom virginal and spare"
"We'll comment on the decor and we'll help the passer by" seems to refer to stereotypes of gay men, especially television shows in which gay men do help somewhat random people with decor and fasion.
"we'll continue the debate" seems to refer to the debate over gay rights, or possibly the debate over whether one in a homosexual couple should come out, perhaps as BStu has said about the pitcher/catcher metaphor.
Now bear with me, but in addition to its literal meaning, "a borrowed bedroom virginal and spare" may refer to sexuality, though this is very shaky, I know.
"The catcher hits for .318 and catches every day / The pitcher puts religion first and rests on holidays"
Oh, this passage! The pitcher and catcher metaphor as it relates to sexuality comes to mind, but also, "The pitcher puts religion first and rests on holidays" seems not only to refer to a baseball player (whomever you say that player is) but also seems to refer to the apprehension of some homosexuals for whom religion is a large part of their lives.
"I wish that you were here with me to pass the dull weekend / I know it wouldn't come to love my heroine pretend"
This is also shaky, but "my heroine pretend" may refer to a gay lover, as some would say that he takes the place of a woman in a sexual relationship, though I personally disagree with this idea.
Anyway, there is textual evidence for this, but I may be over-analyzing this. However, most of Belle and Sebastian's songs have many many layers of meaning, so it is not unlikely that this is a song about a young couple, baseball, and homosexuality, and numerous other subjects. I think perhaps I'm inclined to like this interpretation because I'm gay myself, but it has some merit nonetheless.
the gay elopement is the only thing that would make sense- why else would pitchers, catchers, and san francisco be in a song about lovers?
the gay elopement is the only thing that would make sense- why else would pitchers, catchers, and san francisco be in a song about lovers?
also, "Tenderloin" is a district in San Francisco prominent for having been the cultural centre of the sexually diverse... some of the city's first gay bars were opened there, and stuff
also, "Tenderloin" is a district in San Francisco prominent for having been the cultural centre of the sexually diverse... some of the city's first gay bars were opened there, and stuff
i was going to analyze the song, but you hit it on the head
i was going to analyze the song, but you hit it on the head
you can set something ablaze with hot heterosexual sex that would similarly be a 'trail for the devil to erase.." just saying. that's just not qualifiable contextual evidence. sorry.
you can set something ablaze with hot heterosexual sex that would similarly be a 'trail for the devil to erase.." just saying. that's just not qualifiable contextual evidence. sorry.