Lyric discussion by KG1202 

What is a lampshade? Is that a serious question? This is the song that originally made me fall in love with the Replacements. What a great feat of songwriting. The imagery is amazing and the music sets the perfect mood. Hauntingly beautiful.

In SongMeanings it is indeed a serious question. It has many possible meanings, depending upon one's understanding of the culture this song is rooted in. Among other things, lampshade is an old slang term, dating back to the nineteenth century, for a type of holly found in northern Minnesota and in parts of southern Canada. I don't know if the Replacements, being from those parts, are referencing that or not. If so, it may be like bringing your own mistletoe in case you need to be kissed. Pretty depressing but with its own glint of humor.

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