Messersmith is not only a musician is half-truth, but also a storyteller. His first full-length release The Alcatraz Kid is a moving collection of acoustic-driven lullabies with titles like “Novocain” and “Beautiful Children” that innocently question the purpose of things to come. The integrity of these delicate songs immediately struck a chord with critics and fans alike, and captured the attention of Semisonic’s Dan Wilson, who offered to produce Messersmith’s follow-up album, The Silver City.
The Silver City was a natural progression in sound and reflection: the compositions grew fuller and more dynamic with a classic-pop feel inspired by the Beach Boys and Beatles: While the topics focused on midlife struggles with tracks like “Dead End Job” and “Miracles.” Local and national attention soon followed with NPR and college stations around the country, followed by U.S. tours and sold-out shows in New York, Chicago and Minneapolis.
The Reluctant Graveyard bookends this trilogy of lifelong (ahem, literary) observations with songs like “Lazy Bones” and “Organ Donor,” and sonically continues on the ’60s chamber pop path Messersmith set out with his sophomore release. He continues to share stages with notables such as Sondre Lechre and The Watson Twins, and has been featured on MTV and Ugly Betty.
Dillinger Eyes
Jeremy Messersmith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I found honest work and lord knows I tried
Robbed a bank and ran from the fuzz
They asked the teller just who I was
She said "I don't know, but he had John Dillinger's eyes!"
For five long years I was wanted by the FBI
For five long years I was wanted by the FBI
Saw my poster up on the wall
"Ain't that you? You got John Dillinger's eyes!"
I caught one in my chest and two in my thigh
I caught one in my chest and two in my thigh
I saw a man rush to my side
Took a photograph as I died
And all because I was born with John Dillinger's eyes!
That newspaper man won the Pulitzer Prize
That newspaper man won the Pulitzer Prize
He keeps it by his bed on a shelf
But one thing that he'll never tell
Every day he thanks god for those John Dillinger's eyes!
The song "Dillinger Eyes" by Jeremy Messersmith tells the story of a man who tries to live an honest life but eventually turns to a life of crime. The lyrics suggest that the singer has a physical resemblance to the notorious criminal John Dillinger which plays a significant role in his criminal activities and ultimately in his downfall. The repeated line "I found honest work and lord knows I tried" implies that the man wanted to be good and stay out of trouble but couldn't because of his physical appearance.
The lyrics also paint a picture of the man being chased by the FBI for five years, which seems to indicate that he was involved in a number of criminal activities during that time. In the end, the man is fatally wounded and a newspaper man takes his photograph just before he dies. The final lines of the song suggest that the newspaper man discovers the significance of the man's eyes and uses the story to win a Pulitzer Prize.
The song seems to be a commentary on how people are judged based on their physical appearance and how that can influence their life choices. It also touches on the idea of how a small detail like having similar eyes to a notorious criminal can have a significant impact on one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
I found honest work and lord knows I tried
I sought out a respectable profession with sincere effort
Robbed a bank and ran from the fuzz
I committed a bank robbery and fled from law enforcement
They asked the teller just who I was
The authorities inquired the clerk about my identity
She said "I don't know, but he had John Dillinger's eyes!"
She replied that she was unaware, but noted my resemblance to John Dillinger
For five long years I was wanted by the FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation pursued me for half a decade
I was shooting pool at the hall
I was playing billiards at the local venue
Saw my poster up on the wall
I noticed my wanted poster hanging on the wall
"Ain't that you? You got John Dillinger's eyes!"
Someone recognized me and remarked about my resemblance to John Dillinger
I caught one in my chest and two in my thigh
I was shot once in the chest and twice in the leg
I saw a man rush to my side
I observed a man hurry to assist me
Took a photograph as I died
He captured a picture of me as I perished
And all because I was born with John Dillinger's eyes!
My unfortunate fate resulted from possessing physical features similar to John Dillinger
That newspaper man won the Pulitzer Prize
The journalist earned the Pulitzer Prize
He keeps it by his bed on a shelf
He stores the prize on a bedside shelf
But one thing that he'll never tell
He conceals one particular aspect
Every day he thanks god for those John Dillinger's eyes!
He expresses gratitude for the eyes that aided him in his career, despite their association with a notorious criminal
Contributed by Isaiah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.