This song has a basis in fact from people the band knew or heard of. Mostly they were trying to portray that the summer of love was over. You no longer get a smiling hippy handing you a free hit of acid so that you too can know this joy; instead you get the shaft and a shallow grave. Black Sabbath and a few others tried to convey this, but they were considered unique and not an accurate reflection of the way things really were. At the time, the only people who took Iggy Pop seriously were those who were just as messed up as he was. It is worthwhile to note that the sun sets in the West. In ancient history, that direction was known for the sun's death every night and therefore the location of the underworld. Never discount BOC's ability to wax esoteric.
This song has a basis in fact from people the band knew or heard of. Mostly they were trying to portray that the summer of love was over. You no longer get a smiling hippy handing you a free hit of acid so that you too can know this joy; instead you get the shaft and a shallow grave. Black Sabbath and a few others tried to convey this, but they were considered unique and not an accurate reflection of the way things really were. At the time, the only people who took Iggy Pop seriously were those who were just as messed up as he was. It is worthwhile to note that the sun sets in the West. In ancient history, that direction was known for the sun's death every night and therefore the location of the underworld. Never discount BOC's ability to wax esoteric.