Something Fine
Jackson Browne & Warren Zevon Lyrics
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In a pile outside the door
I've tried and tried
But I just can't remember what they're for
The world outside is tugging
Like a beggar at my sleeve
Oh, that's much too old a story to believe
Even though you take such good care of me
Now you say Morocco and that makes me smile
I haven't seen Morocco in a long, long while
The dreams are rolling down
Across the places in my mind
And I've just had a taste of something fine
The future hides and the past just slides
England lies between
Floating in a silver mist so cold and so clean
California's shaking like an angry child will
Who has asked for love and is unanswered still
And you know that I'm looking back carefully
'Cause I know that there's still
Something there for me
But you said Morocco and you made me smile
And it hasn't been that easy for a long, long while
And looking back into your eyes
I saw them really shine
Giving me a taste of something fine
Something fine
Now if you see Morocco I know you'll go in style
I may not see Morocco for a little while
But while you're there I was hoping
You might keep it in your mind
To save me just a taste of something fine
In the opening verse of "Something Fine," Jackson Browne describes a scene of lethargy and disillusionment. The papers outside the door are meaningless and serve no practical purpose in his life. He is being pulled in different directions by the outside world, like a beggar tugging at his sleeve, but he no longer believes in the "old story" that once gave his life meaning. Nevertheless, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of Morocco, a place that makes him smile and reminds him of happier times. Browne then shifts focus to the past, as he contemplates the California he once knew, an angry and unrequited love, and the misty English landscape that lies between them. Despite his regrets and doubts, he finds solace in his lover's eyes, which shine with something that gives him just a taste of the "something fine" he has been searching for.
In many ways, "Something Fine" can be interpreted as Browne's personal reflection on the disillusionment and uncertainty of the 1970s. The postwar optimism of the 1950s and 1960s was replaced by a sense of pessimism and confusion, as Vietnam, Watergate, and economic stagnation eroded America's sense of confidence and purpose. Browne's lyrics capture this sense of malaise, but they also suggest that even amid the chaos and confusion, there are moments of hope and beauty that can sustain us. These moments may be few and fleeting, but they are worth cherishing all the same.
Line by Line Meaning
The papers lie there helplessly
The papers are stacked in a pile without any purpose.
In a pile outside the door
The papers are left unattended outside.
I've tried and tried
The singer tried to recall the purpose of the papers.
But I just can't remember what they're for
The artist cannot recall the relevance of the papers.
The world outside is tugging
The external factors are pulling the artist in different directions.
Like a beggar at my sleeve
The situation is demanding attention.
Oh, that's much too old a story to believe
The situation is not new and is hard to take seriously.
And you know that it's taken its share of me
The situation has affected the artist.
Even though you take such good care of me
The artist appreciates the care taken by the person they are addressing.
Now you say Morocco and that makes me smile
The person mentioning Morocco brings a smile to the artist's face as it reminds them of something pleasant.
I haven't seen Morocco in a long, long while
The singer hasn't been to Morocco for an extended period of time.
The dreams are rolling down
The memories are flooding through the artist's mind.
Across the places in my mind
The thoughts are wandering through the singer's mind.
And I've just had a taste of something fine
The singer has had a momentary good experience.
The future hides and the past just slides
The future is uncertain and the past is constantly disappearing.
England lies between
England separates the artist and their present location.
Floating in a silver mist so cold and so clean
The image of England's beauty is depicted in a visual way.
California's shaking like an angry child will
California is experiencing an earthquake.
Who has asked for love and is unanswered still
The people in California are waiting for support amidst the disaster.
And you know that I'm looking back carefully
The artist is being cautious while reflecting on the past.
'Cause I know that there's still something there for me
The artist believes that there is something useful from the past.
But you said Morocco and you made me smile
The person mentioned Morocco and uplifted the artist's mood.
And it hasn't been that easy for a long, long while
The singer has been facing difficulties for quite some time.
And looking back into your eyes
The artist glances at the person they are addressing.
I saw them really shine
The person's eyes showed something positive.
Giving me a taste of something fine
The singer experienced something positive.
Now if you see Morocco I know you'll go in style
The singer trusts the person they are addressing to have a luxurious experience while in Morocco.
I may not see Morocco for a little while
The artist is uncertain if or when they will go to Morocco.
But while you're there I was hoping
The artist requests something of the person they are addressing.
You might keep it in your mind
The singer requests the person they are addressing to have a memory of something specific in Morocco.
To save me just a taste of something fine
The singer requests something specific to be brought back from Morocco as a souvenir.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JACKSON BROWNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@picknfish
"...and in the eyes of the people there is the failure; and in the eyes of the hungry there is a growing wrath. In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage."
"The Grapes Of Wrath"
John Steinbeck
--------
Revelation 14 ;
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
🙏💥🇺🇸 💓 🌏♾
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@miktoh
A common quiet pleasure nowadays for me is taking slow sip of premium whiskey at home while listening to Jackson Browne painting another beautiful song with his guitar or piano.
@ronaldpetrin5823
I'm stock full...mmm it's five o'clock some where. I'll try that New Riff, it's local.
Cheers to our living legend mentor singer songwriter JB!I can't believe it took me four months. There is a 20/20 reason for that.
Thank you for these I gotta sip.
@Pops2
Nice guitar sir. I see you had another one on deck in case that antique crumbled.😅
@Alan-ty6th
I do the same thing
@knudtson00000
The man paints with his music 100%
@mikegrier2829
@@ronaldpetrin5823A little Sweetin’s Cove here. Like me some New Riff, though. Really good.
@denise-jordan
You have been with me for most of my 65 years. Your voice always feels like home. Thank you.
@karenstepp669
Yes. Thank you Jackson for being with me these many years. 💙
@barbaramccroy8663
I love your blog 🥰
@markrobinson891
All i can say is “THANK YOU” brother for many hours of company on long road trips. Your music always takes me to somewhere fine.