The line "Oh Tennessee, what did you write?" is definitely referring to Tennessee Williams and, more specifically, to his play 'The Night of the Iguana'
In the next line ("I come together in the middle of the night"), Julian is comparing himself to the character Lawrence Shannon, a shamed priest. After Lawrence suffers a nervous breakdown, Hannah comes to his aid and offers him advice in the middle of the night.
The next two lines ("But that's an ending that I can't write cos I've got you to let me down") are a reference to the end of the play where Lawrence tears the cross from his neck, metaphorically freeing himself of the ties of the church that have caused him so much stress. The fact that Julian "can't write" that ending shows that he is unable to free himself from what it is that is stressing him out (which, given the context of the rest of the song, is probably a recently ended relationship).
Also, at the end of the play, Hannah leaves the hotel at which they are both staying. Effectively walking away from her last opportunity to settle down with someone. I think line "That's an ending that I can't write cos I've got you to let me down" refers to this also. He's basically saying that Lawrence has the opportunity to forget what could have been because the object of his affections has left, whereas Julian is suggesting that he doesn't have this opportunity, possibly because he will see or hear from his ex quite regularly.
Also, at the end of the play, Hannah leaves the hotel at which they are both staying. Effectively walking away from her last opportunity to settle down with someone. I think line "That's an ending that I can't write cos I've got you to let me down" refers to this also. He's basically saying that Lawrence has the opportunity to forget what could have been because the object of his affections has left, whereas Julian is suggesting that he doesn't have this opportunity, possibly because he will see or hear from his ex quite regularly.
The line "Oh Tennessee, what did you write?" is definitely referring to Tennessee Williams and, more specifically, to his play 'The Night of the Iguana'
In the next line ("I come together in the middle of the night"), Julian is comparing himself to the character Lawrence Shannon, a shamed priest. After Lawrence suffers a nervous breakdown, Hannah comes to his aid and offers him advice in the middle of the night.
The next two lines ("But that's an ending that I can't write cos I've got you to let me down") are a reference to the end of the play where Lawrence tears the cross from his neck, metaphorically freeing himself of the ties of the church that have caused him so much stress. The fact that Julian "can't write" that ending shows that he is unable to free himself from what it is that is stressing him out (which, given the context of the rest of the song, is probably a recently ended relationship).
Also, at the end of the play, Hannah leaves the hotel at which they are both staying. Effectively walking away from her last opportunity to settle down with someone. I think line "That's an ending that I can't write cos I've got you to let me down" refers to this also. He's basically saying that Lawrence has the opportunity to forget what could have been because the object of his affections has left, whereas Julian is suggesting that he doesn't have this opportunity, possibly because he will see or hear from his ex quite regularly.
Also, at the end of the play, Hannah leaves the hotel at which they are both staying. Effectively walking away from her last opportunity to settle down with someone. I think line "That's an ending that I can't write cos I've got you to let me down" refers to this also. He's basically saying that Lawrence has the opportunity to forget what could have been because the object of his affections has left, whereas Julian is suggesting that he doesn't have this opportunity, possibly because he will see or hear from his ex quite regularly.
are you sure it's not referring to A Streetcar Named Desire? Marlon Brando's character screaming for Stella in the middle of the night?
are you sure it's not referring to A Streetcar Named Desire? Marlon Brando's character screaming for Stella in the middle of the night?