Hey mister, that's me up on the jukebox
I'm the one that's singing this sad song
Well, I'll cry every time that you slip in one more dime
And let the boy sing the sad one, one more time

Southern California, that's as blue as the boy can be
Blue as the deep blue sea
Won't you listen to me now
I need your golden gated cities like a hole in the head
Just like a hole in the head, I'm free

Hey mister, that's me up on the jukebox
I'm the one that's singing this sad song
Well, I'll cry every time that you slip in one more dime
And let the boy sing the sad one, one more time

I do believe I'm headed home
Hey mister, can't you see that I'm as dry as a bone
I think I'll spend some time alone
Yes, unless you've found a way of squeezing water from a stone

Let the doctor and the lawyer do as much as they can
Let the springtime begin
Let the boy become a man
I done wasted too much time just to sing you this sad song
I done been this lonesome picker a little too long

Hey mister, that's me up on the jukebox
I'm the one that's singing this sad song
Well, I'll cry every time that you're up and slip in one more dime
And let the boy sing the sad one, one more time

Well, I've been spreading myself thin these days
Don't you know
Good-bye

Overall Meaning

In James Taylor's "Hey Mister That's Me Up on the Jukebox," the singer addresses the listener, revealing that he is the one singing the sad song playing on the jukebox. The lyrics suggest that the singer is a lonely, wandering musician who's traveled to Southern California where he's now performing. He talks about how blue he feels, and he seeks solace in being left alone. The listener can sense his weariness and longing for a peaceful life. The song seems to be an expression of sadness and loneliness but also a longing for freedom and a simpler life. He acknowledges that he's been spreading himself thin and needs some time alone.

Additionally, the singer's nonchalance about the golden-gated cities of Southern California demonstrates that he isn't swayed by the socially accepted notion of success, material wealth, and prestige. He prefers his freedom and longs for a more natural, less materialistic lifestyle. The constant repetition of the line "Let the boy sing the sad one, one more time" serves as a plea to the listener to allow him to express his emotions and continue singing his sad songs. It suggests that his passion lies in writing songs that reflect the melancholic and loneliness he's facing.

In summary, "Hey Mister That's Me Up on the Jukebox" is a powerful song about the sadness and loneliness of being a musician, especially one who's always on the road. The song is about the need for emotional expression and the importance of freedom. It laments the emotional weight of constant performances and longings for a simpler life.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey mister, that's me up on the jukebox
Referring to himself, the singer expresses that the song playing on the jukebox is his own.

I'm the one that's singing this sad song
The singer is stating that he is the one responsible for singing this sad song.

Well, I'll cry every time that you slip in one more dime
The singer is expressing that he has poured his heart and soul into creating this music, and each time it is playing, someone adds a dime to hear it, which makes him emotional.

And let the boy sing the sad one, one more time
He hopes that every time the song plays, it can elicit an emotional response from the listener, giving the song further value and significance.

Southern California, that's as blue as the boy can be
The use of 'blue' here can indicate that the singer is feeling sad, and that the place, Southern California, is associated with this sadness for him.

Blue as the deep blue sea Won't you listen to me now
He implores someone to listen to him as he shares how he feels.

I need your golden gated cities like a hole in the head
Using a colloquialism, the singer is communicating that he has no use or desire for the type of cities often associated with California or places of wealth.

Just like a hole in the head, I'm free
The singer asserts that he is free from being tied down to a specific place or material possessions as his larger goal is emotional freedom.

I do believe I'm headed home
The singer has a goal to return to some sort of place he considers home.

Hey mister, can't you see that I'm as dry as a bone
Using another colloquialism, he's telling someone that he's parched, burned out, or in this context, exhausted without explicitly saying it.

I think I'll spend some time alone
Acknowledging the emotional and physical drain he's been feeling, he's contemplating some solitude to recharge himself.

Yes, unless you've found a way of squeezing water from a stone
One can't get blood from a stone, and similarly, he can't be with anyone at this point unless what they're offering can invigorate and inspire him.

Let the doctor and the lawyer do as much as they can
The singer believes he shouldn't depend on people traditionally associated with success, like doctors and lawyers, to help him achieve what he wants.

Let the springtime begin Let the boy become a man
The singer is looking forward to a change in seasons and a life transition indicated by the boy becoming a man, which suggest growth and new beginnings.

I done wasted too much time just to sing you this sad song
The singer is somewhat cynical, perhaps annoyed at having to agonize over this song when he believes he could've invested his time more productively.

I done been this lonesome picker a little too long
He's been a lonesome musician for a while now, and it's time for him to make a change in some way.

Well, I've been spreading myself thin these days
Using irony, the singer talks about having to give 100% of himself to his music but feeling stretched thin.

Don't you know Good-bye
The singer's signoff - expressing that it's time for him to go now.

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