Born on 9th March 1942 in Garnant, Wales, Cale spoke only Welsh until the age of seven, when he began to learn English at school. He went on to study viola at Goldsmiths College, University of London, where he became involved in avant garde music. He traveled to the U.S. to continue his studies, thanks to the help and influence of Aaron Copland, and met and worked with various avant-garde composers, including John Cage, while becoming fascinated with the new Anglo-American art movements.
In 1965, he co-founded the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed. Though best known for his work with the band, Cale has produced a massive body of work that ranges from tastefully arranged strings and piano over Dylan Thomas poetry to barely-suppressed, nigh-psychotic aggression set to high-energy avant-garde rock. Cale's style is almost impossible to pin down, as almost every album contains new experiments and influences. He is also well known as the producer of such works as the debuts of The Stooges, The Modern Lovers, and Patti Smith (the critically acclaimed 'Horses'). He also played a major role in Nico's 'The Marble Index'.
He's released some compilation works such as 'Seducing Down the Door: A Collection 1970-1990' that attempt to show the range and depth of his music. Cale was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as member of the Velvet Underground in 1996, and he was also appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2010. As the years have gone by, he's had a wide variety of tours, additionally dealing with his own personal demons.
Adelaide
John Cale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to go back to Adelaide
It' s time for a change, don't want to be late
It's probably night in Adelaide
In a day or two, I'll be there asking for you
To come back to Adelaide with me
The weather there is so good.
So pass me the phone, I'll go it alone
I'll whistle my way to Adelaide
There's no time to cry, I'll be there tonight
The trains and the boats and planes are on time.
But before I go, I'm knock-knocking on your front door
Be sure to say good-bye to your friends
And to all my friends back home.
But before I go, I'm knock-knocking on your front door
Be sure to say good-bye to your friends
And to all my friends back home.
Oh, Adelaide, Adelaide, I want you tonight
Adelaide, Adelaide, I want you tonight
The song "Adelaide" by John Cale is a passionate expression of his longing to return to his home, the city of Adelaide in Australia. The melancholic tone of the lyrics reflects the sadness and nostalgia he feels for his hometown. The repeated line "I want to go home, I want to go home" is a simple but powerful expression of his desire to return to a place where he feels a sense of belonging. The urgency of his desire to return is expressed in lines like "It's time for a change, don't want to be late" and "There's no time to cry, I'll be there tonight", indicating that he is willing to do whatever it takes to get back home.
The lyrics also suggest that he is not only longing for the physical place of Adelaide, but for the people and relationships he left behind there. He mentions "asking for you" and "knocking on your front door" to indicate that he is looking for someone specific, perhaps a former lover or close friend. He also encourages the listener to "say goodbye to your friends and to all my friends back home", suggesting that he is emotionally invested in the community of people in Adelaide.
Overall, "Adelaide" is a heartfelt ode to the powerful sense of rootedness and emotional connection that we feel to the places and people we call home.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to go home, I want to go home
The singer yearns to return to their hometown of Adelaide.
I want to go back to Adelaide
The singer desires to return to their place of origin, Adelaide.
It's time for a change, don't want to be late
The singer realizes the need for change and haste in returning to Adelaide.
It's probably night in Adelaide
The artist suggests it is currently nighttime in Adelaide.
In a day or two, I'll be there asking for you
The artist plans to request the company of an individual upon their arrival in Adelaide, in a day or two.
To come back to Adelaide with me
The singer suggests the individual accompany them back to Adelaide.
The weather there is so good.
The singer explains that the weather in Adelaide is favourable.
So pass me the phone, I'll go it alone
The artist requests the phone to undertake a solo journey to Adelaide.
I'll whistle my way to Adelaide
The artist will hum their way to Adelaide.
There's no time to cry, I'll be there tonight
The artist emphasizes that tears are uncalled for, as they anticipate arriving in Adelaide that night.
The trains and the boats and planes are on time.
The singer confirms the punctuality of transportation modes in Adelaide.
But before I go, I'm knock-knocking on your front door
The artist makes a stop at the individual's front door before departing for Adelaide.
Be sure to say good-bye to your friends
The singer reminds the individual to bid farewell to their companions.
And to all my friends back home.
The singer requests that the individual sends their regards to their hometown companions.
Oh, Adelaide, Adelaide, I want you tonight
The singer expresses their yearning for Adelaide, their hometown.
Adelaide, Adelaide, I want you tonight
The artist repeats their desire to return home to Adelaide that night.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN DAVIES CALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind