Not much to add to those who have written before me, but I'll try ...
Sorry, no, the song isn't about cocaine. Rather, it's the lament of a narcissist.
Yes, the song's preamble represents being at a party, the main thrust of the song is the about afterwards, when one realizes that party life is a worthless pursuit. But Mr. Ferry stresses here that although he knows this, party life is just too irresistible -- its just too much fun. While he asserts that he can't find the "right" girl, this mother of pearl", this perfect woman of his desires, he acknowledges that he loves the gutter too much -- "serpentine sleekness, always my weakness" and so continues the pantomime, the throwaway kisses and boomerang misses of a man who plays at love.
But most revealing is his claim that no woman will ever measure up -- "With every goddess a let down, Every idol a bring down" These are classic narcissist themes -- finding fault with every woman who comes his way, while always looking for the perfect woman, and the bald-faced admission that "looking for love in a looking glass world is pretty hard to find". For him, the search for perfection is very Holy Grail -- just out of reach. And though he concludes that he'll never get that perfect girl, that Mother of Pearl, he refuses to let the dream of her die - he'll "never trade her for another girl".
Ferry outdoes himself lyrically -- the song writing is magnificent.
@1cpc
I wrote the long analysis bone in 2016. No I agree the song is not about cocaine, but it does feature in the first part of the song ( the recreation of the party) where they all “take a powder”.
@1cpc
I wrote the long analysis bone in 2016. No I agree the song is not about cocaine, but it does feature in the first part of the song ( the recreation of the party) where they all “take a powder”.
Mother of Pearl, is a substitute Pearl, used for cheaper buttons and jewellery especially in the Victorian era. Ferry has closed this imagery because his world, the people in it, their appearance and their shallow ideologies is not real and is a substitute for authenticity.
Mother of Pearl, is a substitute Pearl, used for cheaper buttons and jewellery especially in the Victorian era. Ferry has closed this imagery because his world, the people in it, their appearance and their shallow ideologies is not real and is a substitute for authenticity.
Possibly he is searching for something more in the course of the song, and certainly he is aware of a higher love, but I disagree with you that he persists with this search.
That is the whole point of the song: he has settled for a substandard life, and this interpretation is reinforced by the chorus of unaccompanied voices repeating “Mother of Pearl/ I wouldn’t trade you for another girl.”
Not much to add to those who have written before me, but I'll try ...
Sorry, no, the song isn't about cocaine. Rather, it's the lament of a narcissist.
Yes, the song's preamble represents being at a party, the main thrust of the song is the about afterwards, when one realizes that party life is a worthless pursuit. But Mr. Ferry stresses here that although he knows this, party life is just too irresistible -- its just too much fun. While he asserts that he can't find the "right" girl, this mother of pearl", this perfect woman of his desires, he acknowledges that he loves the gutter too much -- "serpentine sleekness, always my weakness" and so continues the pantomime, the throwaway kisses and boomerang misses of a man who plays at love.
But most revealing is his claim that no woman will ever measure up -- "With every goddess a let down, Every idol a bring down" These are classic narcissist themes -- finding fault with every woman who comes his way, while always looking for the perfect woman, and the bald-faced admission that "looking for love in a looking glass world is pretty hard to find". For him, the search for perfection is very Holy Grail -- just out of reach. And though he concludes that he'll never get that perfect girl, that Mother of Pearl, he refuses to let the dream of her die - he'll "never trade her for another girl".
Ferry outdoes himself lyrically -- the song writing is magnificent.
@1cpc YES ! Yes. Absolutely on-target.
@1cpc YES ! Yes. Absolutely on-target.
Mother of Pearl (sighhhhhhh........)
Mother of Pearl (sighhhhhhh........)
@1cpc Superb comment, thank you!
@1cpc Superb comment, thank you!
@1cpc I wrote the long analysis bone in 2016. No I agree the song is not about cocaine, but it does feature in the first part of the song ( the recreation of the party) where they all “take a powder”.
@1cpc I wrote the long analysis bone in 2016. No I agree the song is not about cocaine, but it does feature in the first part of the song ( the recreation of the party) where they all “take a powder”.
Mother of Pearl, is a substitute Pearl, used for cheaper buttons and jewellery especially in the Victorian era. Ferry has closed this imagery because his world, the people in it, their appearance and their shallow ideologies is not real and is a substitute for authenticity.
Mother of Pearl, is a substitute Pearl, used for cheaper buttons and jewellery especially in the Victorian era. Ferry has closed this imagery because his world, the people in it, their appearance and their shallow ideologies is not real and is a substitute for authenticity.
Possibly he is searching for something more in the course of the song, and certainly he is aware of a higher love, but I disagree with you that he persists with this search.
That is the whole point of the song: he has settled for a substandard life, and this interpretation is reinforced by the chorus of unaccompanied voices repeating “Mother of Pearl/ I wouldn’t trade you for another girl.”