His most famous work is Alice's Restaurant, a talking blues song that lasts eighteen minutes and twenty seconds (in its original recorded version; Guthrie has been known to spin the story out to forty-five minutes in concert). The song, a bitingly satirical protest against the Vietnam War draft, is based on a true incident. In the song, Guthrie was called up for a draft examination, and rejected as unfit for military service as a result of a criminal record consisting in its entirety of a single arrest, court appearance, fine and clean-up order for littering. In reality, Guthrie, though a carrier of the genetically inherited disease Huntington's chorea, was classified as fit (1A); however, his draft-lottery number did not come up.
Put Your Finger In The Air
Arlo Guthrie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put your finger in the air, in the air.
Put your finger in the air, and hold it right up there.
Put your finger in the air, in the air.
Put your finger on your cheek, on your cheek.
Put your finger on your cheek, on your cheek.
Put your finger on your cheek, leave it there a week.
Put your finger on your nose, on your nose.
Put your finger on your nose, on your nose.
Put your finger on your nose, and see if it grows.
Put your finger on your nose, on your nose.
Put your finger on your ear, on your ear.
Put your finger on your ear, on your ear.
Put your finger on your ear, and leave it there a year.
Put your finger on your ear, on your ear.
Put your finger on your finger, on your finger.
Put your finger on your finger, on your finger.
Put your finger on your finger, leave it there, let it linger.
Put your finger on your finger, on your finger.
Arlo Guthrie's song In The Night Air features repetitive lyrics that encourage listeners to put their finger in the air, on their cheek, nose, ear, and finger. The song is thought to be a playful and whimsical tune that invokes a sense of fun and childlike curiosity. While the lyrics may seem repetitive and nonsensical, there are several interpretations that have been made in an attempt to understand the meaning behind the song.
One interpretation suggests that the song is a commentary on the act of conformity and the pressures we may experience to fit in and behave like everyone else. Putting your finger in the air may be seen as a way of breaking free from the conformity and taking a step towards individuality. Similarly, putting your finger on your cheek or on your ear for an extended period of time may symbolize sticking to your guns, holding your ground and not allowing others to sway your opinions or beliefs. By putting your finger on your nose, you may be showcasing your ability to question things and remain curious about the world around you.
Another interpretation suggests that the song is simply a fun and imaginative tune that encourages listeners to play along and use their imagination. The act of putting your finger in the air or on your face may be seen as a way of tapping into your inner child, letting go of inhibitions and having fun.
Overall, Arlo Guthrie's In The Night Air is a playful and lighthearted tune that invites listeners to let loose, be themselves, and have fun in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Put your finger in the air, in the air.
Take a moment to pause and observe the environment around you.
Put your finger on your cheek, on your cheek.
Reflect on your emotions and feelings, and hold onto them for a period of time to truly understand them.
Put your finger on your nose, on your nose.
Challenge what you've been told and explore new ideas and perspectives.
Put your finger on your ear, on your ear.
Listen to those around you and be present in the moment to truly hear their thoughts and needs.
Put your finger on your finger, on your finger.
Take time to examine and understand yourself and your own thoughts, letting them linger and develop fully before making decisions or taking action.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: WOODY GUTHRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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