08 umbilical town
Gary Jules Lyrics


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I hear you've got a pocket full of words

that you keep in the garage

together with the feathers and the fireworks

a surftown hero who's got one foot in the garden
where the neon-lighted cocktail glasses bloom

and they built you a model airplane

like the one that brought you back to lindbergh field

now you're counting your change by the streetlights on india

"hey, it's me again, I'm faded . . . could I please come over?"


you can do what you want

in umbilical town

in a waterfront bar


old gap-toothed annie was a friend of mine

the third time around she was born again

she must have burned at least a half-a-million dollars

in the little rooms next door to wash-and-fold

and there ain't no consolation prize

there is no backdoor to innocence

just the wild-eyed faces and names that you've forgotten

"hey, the money's gone, I'm broken, could I please come over?"


you can do what you want

in umbilical town

in that waterfront bar


I've been dreaming we were born together

I've been thinking about it

'been lurking backstreets - kicking down alleyways

I've been thinking about it

how it's always worse than it appears

raskolnikov's out on the stairs

howling at the man in the moon

they say he lost control

between the suburbs and the barrio

tired from too much too soon

now the air is thick with compromise

we're always on the way

so I take comfort in the only life I know


where you can do what you want

in umbilical town

at the waterfront bar

in umbilical town

you can do what you want

you can do what you want





you can do what you want

Overall Meaning

The opening verse of Gary Jules’ “Umbilical Town” describes a person with a pocket full of words, feathers and fireworks, leaving it up to interpretation whether this person is a writer, artist, or just someone with a creative flair. The reference to being a “surftown hero” with “one foot in the garden” sets a tone of being half in, half out – or more accurately - torn between two worlds. The second verse introduces the character of Old Gap-Toothed Annie, who’s lived a life with many struggles in the “little rooms next door to wash-and-fold”. The bridge brings in a sudden change of focus, with the singer confessing to having daydreams and reveries of being born with someone, prowling alleys, and being lulled by the comforting thought of Umbilical Town‘s waterfront bar.


The lyrics to “Umbilical Town” address themes of indecision and disillusionment, with the singer reflecting on the complexities and difficulties of adult life. The line “there is no backdoor to innocence” highlights the stark fact that the choices we make often have lasting consequences, and that the people we leave behind are just that – left behind, a memory and a ghost of the past. Despite all of this, the chorus offers up a kind of salve, echoing the phrase “you can do what you want” repeatedly, perhaps as a way of finding freedom and solace in the present moment.


Line by Line Meaning

I hear you've got a pocket full of words
You are known to be a talkative person with a lot to say.


that you keep in the garage
Your words are kept hidden and aren't used to their full potential.


together with the feathers and the fireworks
Your words are surrounded by and mixed in with other flashy, showy things.


a surftown hero who's got one foot in the garden
You're someone who's loved by people in your community, but you also have a side that's more introspective and reserved.


where the neon-lighted cocktail glasses bloom
You enjoy the nightlife and being surrounded by a vibrant and exciting atmosphere.


and they built you a model airplane
People have created something, like a symbol of your past, for you to hold onto forever.


like the one that brought you back to lindbergh field
The model airplane serves as a reminder of something significant, like a homecoming or a major life event.


now you're counting your change by the streetlights on india
You're struggling to get by in life and are willing to take whatever you can get.


"hey, it's me again, I'm faded . . . could I please come over?"
You're reaching out for help and need someone to lean on.


you can do what you want
In Umbilical Town, you have the freedom to live your life as you see fit.


in umbilical town


in a waterfront bar
This specific location, a bar on the waterfront, offers a place of solace and comfort.


old gap-toothed annie was a friend of mine
You have fond memories of someone from your past who was unique and unconventional.


the third time around she was born again
This person has lived a life of rebirth and transformation, always changing and growing.


she must have burned at least a half-a-million dollars
She spent a lot of her money on things that may not have been necessary or wise.


in the little rooms next door to wash-and-fold
The rooms were likely used for activities like gambling or other risky behaviors.


and there ain't no consolation prize
In situations like this, there's no winner or loser – everyone is simply trying to survive.


there is no backdoor to innocence
There's no easy way to undo the mistakes or bad decisions you've made in life.


just the wild-eyed faces and names that you've forgotten
The memories of the people from your past can be hazy and unclear, obscured by time and distance.


"hey, the money's gone, I'm broken, could I please come over?"
You're once again reaching out for help and support during tough times.


I've been dreaming we were born together
You've been imagining a different life for yourself, one where you had a closer connection to someone else.


I've been thinking about it
This thought has been on your mind a lot lately.


'been lurking backstreets - kicking down alleyways
You've been sneaking around and exploring places that may not be safe or considered 'normal.'


how it's always worse than it appears
Things in life are often not what they seem, and can be more difficult or challenging than expected.


raskolnikov's out on the stairs
This name refers to a character from a book and may represent someone who is isolated or struggling.


howling at the man in the moon
This person is likely feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, and taking it out on something that can't respond or push back.


they say he lost control
Others may view this person's behavior as reckless or dangerous.


between the suburbs and the barrio
This person seems to be stuck between two worlds, and doesn't quite fit into either one.


tired from too much too soon
This person is likely feeling burned out or overwhelmed by life's challenges.


now the air is thick with compromise
There's a sense of unease or discomfort in the air, possibly due to the need to constantly make compromises and sacrifices.


we're always on the way
Life is full of constant change, and we're always moving forward, whether we're ready or not.


so I take comfort in the only life I know
Despite the challenges and difficulties, you find comfort in your current life and the people you know.


in umbilical town


at the waterfront bar


in umbilical town


you can do what you want


you can do what you want


you can do what you want




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

JerkingTheGerk

This is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard and he puts so much emotion into it. He is a true artist

TheManaLord

This is just amazing live as it is studio. He really is talented. One of my favorite artists of all time.

fabunni1982

WOW....again...he gives me goosebumps. What a beautiful voice.

Eric Martin

Gary Jules is a trully a gift from God. His voice, is like an angel, its a perfect blend of everything put together into one perfect voice, simply amazing. His voice gets to me everytime, gets me to think about my life just a little more everytime. Kudos to Gary Jules, and kudos to everyone like him.

morgyface

Brilliant song, from an incredible album "Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets". Forget "Mad World" his song writing is far better. Met him briefly in Manchester (UK) when he toured some years back and he was an incredibly nice man. Looking forward to more material in the future!

Alexander Bolvig Lund

Agreed, I listen to all kinds of metal, but Gary Jules just does it every time :)

balestrabeat

this is beautiful music. i really love almost all of his songs!

0nacious

beatiful piece of music right here, just makes you want to smile wistfully

Thomas Hamilton

I mostly listen to rock and such and the ocasional few other genres but as other people have said gary have such a perfect voice and his songs are marvelous

iamyex

This is so awesome! I can't believe out of 919 views so far no one's commented on this. Do you have any more of his music by any chance?

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