Garden party
Jerry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
reminisce with my old friends
A chance to share old memories
and play our songs again
When I got to the garden party,
they all knew my name
No one recognized me,
I didn't look the same
But it's all right now,
I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can't please everyone,
so ya got to please yourself
People came from miles around,
everyone was there
Yoko brought her walrus,
there was magic in the air
And over in the corner,
much to my surprise
Mister Hughes hid in Dylan's shoes
wearing his disguise
But it's all right now,
I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can't please everyone,
so ya got to please yourself
Na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
I played them all the old songs,
I thought that's why they came
No one heard the music,
we didn't look the same
I said hello to ""Mary Lou"",
she belongs to me
When I sang a song about a honky-tonk,
it was time to leave
But it's all right now,
I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can't please everyone,
so ya got to please yourself
Na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
Someone opened up a closet door
and out stepped Johnny B. Goode
Playing guitar like a-ringin' a bell
and lookin' like he should
If you gotta play at garden parties,
I wish you a lotta luck
But if memories were all I sang,
I rather drive a truck
But it's all right now,
I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can't please everyone,
so ya got to please yourself
Na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na
But it's all right now,
I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can't please everyone,
so ya got to please yourself
The song "Garden Party" by Jerry provides a retrospective look at a gathering where he reconnects with his old friends. He attends this garden party with the intention of reminiscing and playing songs from the past. However, upon arriving, Jerry realizes that nobody recognizes him. He feels out of place and acknowledges that he doesn't look the same as he used to. Despite his initial discomfort, he comes to the realization that it's alright because he has learned an important lesson: he can't please everyone, so he should focus on pleasing himself.
The garden party becomes a representation of a significant event where people from various places come together. Yoko, famously associated with John Lennon, brings her walrus, which adds an element of wonder and magic to the atmosphere. In a corner, Jerry is surprised to discover that Mr. Hughes, perhaps a reference to musician Glenn Hughes, is disguised as Bob Dylan while hiding in his shoes. This highlights the idea that people often assume new identities to fit in or attract attention.
Jerry proceeds to play the old songs that he thought would resonate with the attendees, but they don't seem to have the desired effect. The music doesn't evoke the same connection or recognition as Jerry expects, emphasizing the disconnect between him and his friends. He mentions saying hello to a woman named Mary Lou, claiming that she belongs to him, suggesting a possessive or protective attitude. However, when he sings a honky-tonk song, it becomes apparent that it's time for him to leave.
The song concludes with the appearance of Johnny B. Goode, a character famous for his guitar-playing skills and rockabilly persona. This serves as a reminder that if one is to perform at these garden parties, they need luck to succeed. However, Jerry declares that if memories and nostalgia are all he has to offer, he would rather do something else, like driving a truck. Ultimately, Jerry reiterates the lesson he has learned throughout the song: pleasing oneself is paramount since it is impossible to please everyone.
In summary, "Garden Party" explores the theme of self-acceptance and individuality in the face of changing circumstances. Jerry experiences a sense of alienation at the gathering, but he ultimately realizes the importance of staying true to oneself and finding personal fulfillment instead of seeking validation from others.
Line by Line Meaning
I went to a garden party to reminisce with my old friends
I attended a gathering in a garden to relive past memories with my acquaintances
A chance to share old memories and play our songs again
An opportunity to exchange nostalgic stories and perform our music once more
When I got to the garden party, they all knew my name
Upon arriving at the garden party, everyone recognized and called out my name
No one recognized me, I didn't look the same
However, no one identified me since my appearance had drastically changed
But it's all right now, I learned my lesson well.
Nevertheless, it is fine now as I have gained valuable insight from this experience
You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself
You understand that it is impossible to satisfy everyone, thus you must prioritize your own satisfaction
People came from miles around, everyone was there
Individuals traveled great distances to attend, resulting in a diverse turnout
Yoko brought her walrus, there was magic in the air
Yoko arrived with a unique companion, creating a mystical atmosphere
And over in the corner, much to my surprise
To my astonishment, in the corner, something unexpected occurred
Mister Hughes hid in Dylan's shoes wearing his disguise
Mr. Hughes concealed himself by wearing Dylan's shoes as a disguise
Na, na, na, na
Vocal sounds expressing a melodic refrain
I played them all the old songs, I thought that's why they came
I performed all the classic songs, assuming that was the reason for their attendance
No one heard the music, we didn't look the same
However, no one paid attention to the music as we no longer resembled our former selves
I said hello to 'Mary Lou', she belongs to me
I greeted 'Mary Lou' since she is associated with me
When I sang a song about a honky-tonk, it was time to leave
As soon as I performed a song related to a rowdy bar, it became apparent that it was time to depart
Someone opened up a closet door and out stepped Johnny B. Goode
Unexpectedly, a person emerged from a closet door, revealing themselves as Johnny B. Goode
Playing guitar like a-ringin' a bell and lookin' like he should
He skillfully played the guitar, producing a delightful sound while appearing just as expected
If you gotta play at garden parties, I wish you a lotta luck
If you find yourself performing at garden parties, I hope you have plenty of luck
But if memories were all I sang, I rather drive a truck
However, if the sole content of my musical repertoire consisted solely of memories, I would prefer to work as a truck driver
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Rick Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind