I am so pleased to see these engaging and insightful interpretations of this song. I recently reunited myself with the Hair soundtrack and I am particularly focused on "The Flesh Failures" at the moment.
Re: the final verse...
"Singing our space songs on a spider web sitar
Life is around you and in you
Answer for Timothy Leary, dearie"
I suggest that the last line sets up "Let the sunshine in."
In other words: Answer for Timothy Leary: "Let the sunshine in."
As this number is the finale, this might be score writer Gerome Ragni's "answer" to Timothy Leary's idea that whether through LSD or other means, we have to escape the oppressive and illusory culture which blinds us to one another. So the author's response to Leary's question about how we go forward is to let the sunshine in, to expand our capacity to love and be loved, to experience the "sunshine" of love and peace and fulfilment. And this verse is in stark contrast to the oppression and falseness and deceit described in the earlier part of the song.
@IDanielsen Thanks for your ideas about the meaning of the Flesh Failures - Let the Sun Shine. Re Timothy Leary, here's my thoughts: Hair is not a play in which you are going to find criticism of Timothy Leary. The words are "Answer FOR Timothy Leary, deary" - NOT "Answer TO T.L." After an entire song m.f.-ing the government, the punch line is not all of a sudden going to be a criticism of Timothy Leary. Especially not in Hair! TL didn't have anything to do with Berger's death. What the lyricist is saying is, With all this going on...
@IDanielsen Thanks for your ideas about the meaning of the Flesh Failures - Let the Sun Shine. Re Timothy Leary, here's my thoughts: Hair is not a play in which you are going to find criticism of Timothy Leary. The words are "Answer FOR Timothy Leary, deary" - NOT "Answer TO T.L." After an entire song m.f.-ing the government, the punch line is not all of a sudden going to be a criticism of Timothy Leary. Especially not in Hair! TL didn't have anything to do with Berger's death. What the lyricist is saying is, With all this going on in our world, here is our response. And our spokesman is not the government, not anything in the establishment system. We trust Timothy Leary, not the establishment. Hardly could be a bigger slap in the face to all that is held up as the official reality. So the meaning is, Here's what we have to say. Answer for our spokesman, deary. And our spokesman is Timothy Leary, and he says: "Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in." Just my thought. This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius - not the dawning of an age of improved foreign policy. ❤️ The lyrics could be better, I'm sorry to say. This is a powerful anthem - as powerful as the Star Spangled B., and The Marseillaise.
I am so pleased to see these engaging and insightful interpretations of this song. I recently reunited myself with the Hair soundtrack and I am particularly focused on "The Flesh Failures" at the moment.
Re: the final verse...
"Singing our space songs on a spider web sitar Life is around you and in you Answer for Timothy Leary, dearie"
I suggest that the last line sets up "Let the sunshine in."
In other words: Answer for Timothy Leary: "Let the sunshine in."
As this number is the finale, this might be score writer Gerome Ragni's "answer" to Timothy Leary's idea that whether through LSD or other means, we have to escape the oppressive and illusory culture which blinds us to one another. So the author's response to Leary's question about how we go forward is to let the sunshine in, to expand our capacity to love and be loved, to experience the "sunshine" of love and peace and fulfilment. And this verse is in stark contrast to the oppression and falseness and deceit described in the earlier part of the song.
So, that's my humble crack at it. :)
@IDanielsen Thanks for your ideas about the meaning of the Flesh Failures - Let the Sun Shine. Re Timothy Leary, here's my thoughts: Hair is not a play in which you are going to find criticism of Timothy Leary. The words are "Answer FOR Timothy Leary, deary" - NOT "Answer TO T.L." After an entire song m.f.-ing the government, the punch line is not all of a sudden going to be a criticism of Timothy Leary. Especially not in Hair! TL didn't have anything to do with Berger's death. What the lyricist is saying is, With all this going on...
@IDanielsen Thanks for your ideas about the meaning of the Flesh Failures - Let the Sun Shine. Re Timothy Leary, here's my thoughts: Hair is not a play in which you are going to find criticism of Timothy Leary. The words are "Answer FOR Timothy Leary, deary" - NOT "Answer TO T.L." After an entire song m.f.-ing the government, the punch line is not all of a sudden going to be a criticism of Timothy Leary. Especially not in Hair! TL didn't have anything to do with Berger's death. What the lyricist is saying is, With all this going on in our world, here is our response. And our spokesman is not the government, not anything in the establishment system. We trust Timothy Leary, not the establishment. Hardly could be a bigger slap in the face to all that is held up as the official reality. So the meaning is, Here's what we have to say. Answer for our spokesman, deary. And our spokesman is Timothy Leary, and he says: "Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in." Just my thought. This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius - not the dawning of an age of improved foreign policy. ❤️ The lyrics could be better, I'm sorry to say. This is a powerful anthem - as powerful as the Star Spangled B., and The Marseillaise.