I like the idea of this song being inspired by Van Gogh, but I have to say that it seems more likely to me to have been inspired by a song of the same title by The Everly Brothers. The subject matter is actually Identical between the two songs about not only unrequited love, but jealousy over another man who has successfully seduced the target of his attraction. “Just a broken lullaby” is a direct allusion to Bye Bye Love by the Everly Brothers.... basically an old standard for a pop song from over 20 years prior that was still very much in the public consciousness in the late 1970’s. In fact, the song would have been iconic to the band because it was such a big hit during Ric’s formative years. The “broken lullaby” is a metaphor for a consistent pattern of never getting the girl, and the line is clearly delivered with a sense of resignation to further drive the point of how hopeless the situation is.
Do I have any sources or anything to back up my interpretation? No. I’ve never read anything from Ric on the meaning of this song, but this is my interpretation for what it is worth.
I like the idea of this song being inspired by Van Gogh, but I have to say that it seems more likely to me to have been inspired by a song of the same title by The Everly Brothers. The subject matter is actually Identical between the two songs about not only unrequited love, but jealousy over another man who has successfully seduced the target of his attraction. “Just a broken lullaby” is a direct allusion to Bye Bye Love by the Everly Brothers.... basically an old standard for a pop song from over 20 years prior that was still very much in the public consciousness in the late 1970’s. In fact, the song would have been iconic to the band because it was such a big hit during Ric’s formative years. The “broken lullaby” is a metaphor for a consistent pattern of never getting the girl, and the line is clearly delivered with a sense of resignation to further drive the point of how hopeless the situation is.
Do I have any sources or anything to back up my interpretation? No. I’ve never read anything from Ric on the meaning of this song, but this is my interpretation for what it is worth.