On The Wall
David Johansen And The Harry Smiths Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, I'm goin' to Memphis, got to (?) (?) (?)
Them dirty women trying to treat a man
Yeah, I'm goin' down to Memphis, stop at (?) (?) (?)
I'm gonna show them women, honey, how to treat a man

I said you ain't good lookin' and you don't dress fine
And that's account of people makin' fun of you most any time
Because you ain't good lookin', you don't dress so fine

And that's the kind of treatment - makin' fun of you most any time

Well, I'm goin' to Memphis, stop at Jackson's Hall
Gonna show them women how to cock it on the wall
Goin' down to Memphis, stop at Jackson's Town Hall
I'm goin' to show them women, honey, how to cock it on the wall

Well, you can snap it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
You can toss it out the window, see if they catch it 'fore it fall
You can snap it, you can break it, hang it on the stinkin' wall
You can throw it out the window, Jackson, toss it, catch it 'fore it fall

Let's go down to Jackson Town Hall

Overall Meaning

The song "On The Wall" by David Johansen and The Harry Smiths has a bluesy and gritty feel to it as it tells a story of a man traveling to Memphis to show women how to treat him properly. The lyrics are quite ambiguous, with occasional phrases and lines that are difficult to decipher, but there are still some clear themes and images that are present.

The first verse talks about how this man is going to Memphis because he's tired of being treated badly by women, and he wants to show them how to treat a man properly. The second verse seems to suggest that the man himself is not conventionally attractive or well-dressed, and that he is often the subject of ridicule because of this. However, he still believes that he deserves respect and wants women to treat him accordingly.

The third verse is a bit more mystifying, as the "Jackson's Hall" and "Jackson's Town Hall" mentioned are not clearly defined. It could refer to a dance hall or music venue where the singer wants to show off his moves, or it could be a metaphor for some kind of social gathering or community meeting where he wants to make his mark. The final verse is similarly ambiguous, as the phrase "cock it on the wall" could mean anything from displaying confidence and swagger to engaging in some kind of inappropriate behavior.

Overall, the song seems to be about a man who is taking a stand for himself and demanding respect from those around him, particularly women. The lyrics are somewhat cryptic and open to interpretation, but the mood and attitude of the song are unmistakable.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, I'm goin' to Memphis, got to (?) (?) (?)
I am heading to Memphis and have a purpose in mind that I need to fulfill

Them dirty women trying to treat a man
The women in Memphis have been mistreating men and I aim to change that

Yeah, I'm goin' down to Memphis, stop at (?) (?) (?)
My first stop in Memphis is at a specific location that I am not currently disclosing

I'm gonna show them women, honey, how to treat a man
I plan to demonstrate to the women in Memphis how to properly treat a man

I said you ain't good lookin' and you don't dress fine
People may criticize your appearance and clothing, but that should not define you

And that's account of people makin' fun of you most any time
People often make fun of others for their looks and clothing, leading to insecurity

Because you ain't good lookin', you don't dress so fine
You may not meet society's standards of beauty and clothing, but that should not diminish your worth

And that's the kind of treatment - makin' fun of you most any time
The ridicule and mistreatment you face because of your appearance and clothing is unacceptable

Well, I'm goin' to Memphis, stop at Jackson's Hall
On my way to Memphis, I will be stopping at Jackson's Hall

Gonna show them women how to cock it on the wall
I will teach the women in Memphis how to properly 'cock it on the wall'

Goin' down to Memphis, stop at Jackson's Town Hall
My destination in Memphis is Jackson's Town Hall

I'm goin' to show them women, honey, how to cock it on the wall
I plan to educate the women in Memphis on how to properly 'cock it on the wall'

Well, you can snap it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
You have the power to take control of your situation and make a statement, by snapping, breaking or hanging something on a wall

You can toss it out the window, see if they catch it 'fore it fall
Alternatively, you can throw it out the window as a challenge, to see if others will catch it before it falls

You can snap it, you can break it, hang it on the stinkin' wall
Again, you have the power to make a statement by snapping, breaking or hanging something on a wall, even if that wall stinks

You can throw it out the window, Jackson, toss it, catch it 'fore it fall
You can challenge others by throwing something out the window in Jackson, to see if they can catch it before it falls

Let's go down to Jackson Town Hall
It is time to head to Jackson Town Hall

Contributed by Camilla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS