The Room 29 album is officially credited to Jarvis Co… Read Full Bio ↴Incorrect tag.
The Room 29 album is officially credited to Jarvis Cocker | Chilly Gonzales, but the preferred spelling here on Last.fm is Jarvis Cocker & Chilly Gonzales, with Jarvis' name first, like on the album cover.
Salome
Jarvis Cocker And Chilly Gonzales Lyrics
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I seem to have lost my head over you
Now see it rolling on the ground beside your feet
So shake your tambourine
Maybe it will cast out this wicked dream
That took root in my heart
Whilst I was just wandering about
But hey good looking
Haven't I seen you somewhere?
Salomé
Viewing figures went though the roof
Salomé
Breakdown or breakthrough
I saw a head in a box
The head was mine
I got quite a shock
I dropped down and then they re-boxed it
I saw a crowd out in the street
My money box kept them sweet, yeah
They made it turn a pretty profit
You shook your tambourine above it
Salomé
Viewing figures just went through the roof
Salomé
Breakdown or breakthrough
Oh there goes my head
Still in a box
Tucked under your arm
Now I'm at a loss
But I just love to watch you dancing
One more time
I'm out of my box
I'm out of my mind
Oh, but you're the boss
Yes, you know that you are
So shake your pretty money maker
Yeah, shake your pretty money maker
Yes shake your tambourine
Maybe it will cast out this wicked dream
That took root in my heart
Sometime while I was not really looking
Hey good looking
The lyrics of "Salomé" by Jarvis Cocker and Chilly Gonzales depict a sense of lost control and obsession in a relationship. The singer seems to be overwhelmed by their feelings for someone, symbolized by the imagery of losing their head over them. The line "Now see it rolling on the ground beside your feet" suggests a literal and symbolic surrender to the object of their affection, acknowledging their vulnerability and powerlessness in the presence of this person.
The mention of shaking a tambourine to cast out a wicked dream and the line "Whilst I was just wandering about, Then bang, my head was gone" conveys a sense of confusion and sudden realization of being captivated by this person. The lyrics hint at a sense of infatuation and a desire to break free from the hold this individual has over them, while also acknowledging the allure and familiarity of the person ("Haven't I seen you somewhere?").
The reference to Salomé, a biblical figure known for her dance of the seven veils and the beheading of John the Baptist, adds a layer of complexity to the song. The viewing figures going through the roof could symbolize the spectacle and drama of their relationship, with the question of whether it is a breakdown or a breakthrough highlighting the ambiguity and intensity of their connection.
The imagery of seeing a head in a box, which turns out to be the singer's own head, and the crowd being entertained by it, suggests a sense of detachment and objectification in the relationship. The singer feels both shocked and enthralled by the power dynamics at play, with the repeated references to shaking a tambourine possibly symbolizing a desperate attempt to break free from the control of the other person. The closing lines about being out of their mind but watching the other person dance suggest a relinquishing of control and an acceptance of their subordinate position in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't know what to do
Feeling lost and confused in this situation
I seem to have lost my head over you
Feelings of obsession and infatuation towards you
Now see it rolling on the ground beside your feet
Symbolizing how deep my feelings have become and how vulnerable I am
So shake your tambourine
A plea for you to bring some joy and lightness to this heavy situation
Maybe it will cast out this wicked dream
Hoping that a change in attitude or perspective will dispel the negative thoughts
That took root in my heart
Referring to the negative emotions that have settled within me
Whilst I was just wandering about
During a time when I was lost in my thoughts
Then bang, my head was gone
Sudden realization that my emotions have taken over completely
But hey good looking
Acknowledging your attractiveness and presence
Haven't I seen you somewhere?
Playing on the idea of past encounters or connections
Salomé
Reference to a powerful female figure in history or mythology
Viewing figures went through the roof
Observing how attention and interest increased dramatically
Breakdown or breakthrough
Deliberating on whether this situation will lead to a breakdown or a breakthrough
I saw a head in a box
A shocking image representing a loss of control or identity
The head was mine
Symbolizing how I feel disconnected from myself
I got quite a shock
Reacting strongly to the realization of my own emotions
I dropped down and then they re-boxed it
Feeling overwhelmed and needing to gather myself again
I saw a crowd out in the street
Noticing the attention and opinions of others around me
My money box kept them sweet, yeah
Using material possessions to maintain a facade of happiness
They made it turn a pretty profit
Benefiting from others' interest and investment in me
You shook your tambourine above it
You brought joy and excitement to the situation
There goes my head
Further loss of control and clarity in this situation
Still in a box
Feeling confined and restricted in my own thoughts and emotions
Tucked under your arm
Dependence and reliance on you
Now I'm at a loss
Feeling lost and unsure of what to do next
But I just love to watch you dancing
Finding joy and comfort in observing you
One more time
Wanting to experience this feeling again
I'm out of my box
Finally breaking free from my own limitations
I'm out of my mind
Feeling liberated and free from negative thoughts
Oh, but you're the boss
Acknowledging your power and control in this situation
Yes, you know that you are
Acknowledging your authority and influence over me
So shake your pretty money maker
Continue to captivate and impress others with your charm
Yeah, shake your pretty money maker
Emphasizing the importance of your charisma and allure
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: . GONZALES CHILLY, JARVIS BRANSON COCKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind