Hey guys- I'm not just relying on '60's psychedelia logic, here, but I think he's pretty clearly talking about heroin use. 'The Man with the Golden Arm' was a film with Frank Sinatra about a heroin addict. The idea resonates throughout the song- candles are used often to transport heroin (and light it). Putting a 'penny in the slot' or the needle in the vein- causes the 'artificial light' - replacing the soul of the user with a fake one. So, his actions, stealing etc, don't feel true to who he really is. It's not simply about that, though- the idea just resonates with other ideas about memories (the picture show), growing up, etc. What do you think? Think about the images, though- 'stinging nettle'?
Hey guys- I'm not just relying on '60's psychedelia logic, here, but I think he's pretty clearly talking about heroin use. 'The Man with the Golden Arm' was a film with Frank Sinatra about a heroin addict. The idea resonates throughout the song- candles are used often to transport heroin (and light it). Putting a 'penny in the slot' or the needle in the vein- causes the 'artificial light' - replacing the soul of the user with a fake one. So, his actions, stealing etc, don't feel true to who he really is. It's not simply about that, though- the idea just resonates with other ideas about memories (the picture show), growing up, etc. What do you think? Think about the images, though- 'stinging nettle'?