Stroke It Noel
Big Star Lyrics
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Come on in with me
Morning says to idle on
Stay clear of the street.
On the wing
And on the land
Can you sing
With anything
Do you wanna dance
Do ya
Do ya, do ya, do ya wanna dance
Stroke it Noel
They say we're lazy men
Drinkin' our white wine
We could go right insane
'Cause we can buy the time
Oh, keep an eye
On the sky
Will they come
Oh the bombs
Do you wanna dance
Easy now, easy now
Do ya, do ya, do ya wanna dance
Do ya wanna, do ya, wanna dance
The lyrics to Big Star's song "Stroke It Noel" are cryptic and slightly nonsensical, much like many of the other tracks on their influential album, "Third/Sister Lovers." The song seems to be addressed to someone named Noel, who the singer is encouraging to come over and join them. The singer emphasizes avoiding the street and idling on, suggesting a feeling of detachment or aimlessness. The lines "Can you sing / With anything" hint at a desire for the ability to find meaning or purpose.
Then the song takes a sudden turn with the refrain "Do you wanna dance / Stroke it Noel." The meaning of this phrase is not clear, but it sounds slightly suggestive or even slightly menacing, as if the singer is pressuring Noel to do something against their will. The middle part of the song shifts the focus to the singer and their companions, who are dismissed as "lazy men" for drinking white wine. There is a sense of unease, with "the bombs" looming in the sky, but the singer tries to lighten the mood by encouraging everyone to dance. However, the repeated "Easy now, easy now" suggests that this is not a carefree celebration, but an attempt to ward off something more ominous.
Line by Line Meaning
Child will you come on down
Hey, kid! Would you like to come and join us?
Come on in with me
Join us and be part of our group.
Morning says to idle on
It's better to take it easy and chill in the morning.
Stay clear of the street.
Don't go out on the streets, it's not safe.
On the wing
Flying through the sky.
And on the land
Walking on the ground.
Can you sing
Can you carry a tune?
With anything
Sing along with anything.
Do you wanna dance
Would you like to dance with us?
Do ya
Do you.
Do ya, do ya, do ya wanna dance
Hey, do you want to dance with us or not?
Stroke it Noel
Music is medicine and we need to take it to get in the mood.
They say we're lazy men
People think that we're lazy because we take our time and enjoy life.
Drinkin' our white wine
Having fun and relaxing with some good white wine.
We could go right insane
If we don't take it easy, we might go crazy.
'Cause we can buy the time
We can afford to take our time and not rush anything.
Oh, keep an eye
Be vigilant, be aware.
On the sky
Watch the skies, something might happen.
Will they come
Are they coming for us?
Oh the bombs
The bombs are coming and we should be careful.
Do you wanna dance
Let's dance and forget our fears.
Easy now, easy now
Take it easy, be calm.
Do ya wanna, do ya, wanna dance
Do you want to dance and have fun?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: William Chilton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind