Perhaps the most ingenious part of this song is in its title. It has not one, but three meanings that are prevalent throughout the song. As a whole, The Stage Names (and its spiritual successor, The Stand Ins) permeate with criticism of pop culture, and the lives of those who fall victim to its celebrity. Plus Ones is no exception. In guest lists (and, more specifically, rock concert guest lists), a plus one is an extra person allowed on an invitation.
Sheff also writes quite a bit in detail about his own personal love life, and this song is no exception. Most likely, Sheff's speaker is addressing a "plus one", or a woman he meets at some social event (again, probably a rock concert), and takes home with the express purpose of participating in a sexual rendezvous. This woman may symbolize pop culture icons, or may very well be the pornographic actress, Shanon Wisley (otherwise known as Savannah) whom Sheff mentions several times elsewhere in the album.
Finally, perhaps the most genius part of this song is the third meaning of the title. The song is riddled with references to famous pop songs with numerical titles. However, Sheff "plus ones" each of the titles so that Nena's "99 Luftbaloons" becomes a reference to the addressee's 100th luftbaloon, and so on.(Full list on bottom, credit to Wikipedia)
This is one of my personal favorite songs, and debatedably the best song on the album. And, oh what an album it is. In my view, Black Sheep Boy is Sheff's best work, but Stage Names takes a close second. Though still wonderful in its own ways, Stand Ins pales in comparison to its father album. I do hope to hear more of Sheff's lilting prosetry after Okkervil's "I Am Very Far" tour. If you're reading this, it means you have fantastic taste in music, and I do so hope you maintain that.
? and the Mysterians' "96 Tears," Nena's" 99 Luftballons," Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," The Byrds' "Eight Miles High," R.E.M.'s "Seven Chinese Brothers," David Bowie's "TVC15," The Zombies' "Care of Cell 44," Commodore's "Three Times a Lady," and The Crests' "Sixteen Candles."
Perhaps the most ingenious part of this song is in its title. It has not one, but three meanings that are prevalent throughout the song. As a whole, The Stage Names (and its spiritual successor, The Stand Ins) permeate with criticism of pop culture, and the lives of those who fall victim to its celebrity. Plus Ones is no exception. In guest lists (and, more specifically, rock concert guest lists), a plus one is an extra person allowed on an invitation. Sheff also writes quite a bit in detail about his own personal love life, and this song is no exception. Most likely, Sheff's speaker is addressing a "plus one", or a woman he meets at some social event (again, probably a rock concert), and takes home with the express purpose of participating in a sexual rendezvous. This woman may symbolize pop culture icons, or may very well be the pornographic actress, Shanon Wisley (otherwise known as Savannah) whom Sheff mentions several times elsewhere in the album. Finally, perhaps the most genius part of this song is the third meaning of the title. The song is riddled with references to famous pop songs with numerical titles. However, Sheff "plus ones" each of the titles so that Nena's "99 Luftbaloons" becomes a reference to the addressee's 100th luftbaloon, and so on.(Full list on bottom, credit to Wikipedia) This is one of my personal favorite songs, and debatedably the best song on the album. And, oh what an album it is. In my view, Black Sheep Boy is Sheff's best work, but Stage Names takes a close second. Though still wonderful in its own ways, Stand Ins pales in comparison to its father album. I do hope to hear more of Sheff's lilting prosetry after Okkervil's "I Am Very Far" tour. If you're reading this, it means you have fantastic taste in music, and I do so hope you maintain that.
? and the Mysterians' "96 Tears," Nena's" 99 Luftballons," Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," The Byrds' "Eight Miles High," R.E.M.'s "Seven Chinese Brothers," David Bowie's "TVC15," The Zombies' "Care of Cell 44," Commodore's "Three Times a Lady," and The Crests' "Sixteen Candles."