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.
Gun
John Cale Lyrics
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The quick try to get quicker
And the creepers get hung
Now it's you that got wasted tonight on the job
One lost his liquor
And the other lost his hand
Ten sticky thumb prints on the door and the sink
Five hundred mugshots and a hundred to one
Four forgotten and the rest just won't come
When you've begun to think like a gun
The rest of the year has already gone
When you've begun to think like a gun
The days of the year have suddenly gone
(Well) blood on the windows and blood on the walls
Blood on the ceiling and down in the halls
And the papers keep downing on everything I burned
And the people getting restless but they'll never learn
I picked up a doctor - he's good with a knife
Says anaesthetic's a waste of his time
Works in a hurry but always worthwhile
Knows they won't be back for a long long time
Top of the staircase was ready to fall
We were still waiting downstairs in the hall
Watch out for big mama, she'll set you on fire
Or go for your neck with the chicken wire
When you've begun to think like a gun
The days of the year have suddenly gone
Once you've begun to think like a gun
The days of the year have already gone
Mother of plenty, mother of none
You've got me cornered and still on the run
I don't care nothing about you anyway
Stuck in this hole I'm on my way
Yeah when you've begun to live like a gun
The days of the year have already gone
When you've begun to think like a gun
The days of the year have suddenly gone
The song "Gun" by John Cale touches on the theme of a violent lifestyle and its effects on an individual. The lyrics describe the life of a criminal on the run, constantly being pursued by the law. The first two lines convey the ever-increasing speed at which the criminal world operates- those who were once considered quick are now attempting to get even quicker, while those who move at a creeping pace often meet their demise. The next lines describe the results of a job gone wrong, one partner losing their liquor, and the other losing their hand, highlighting the unforgiving atmosphere of the criminal world.
The second verse paints a picture of the aftermath of the job, with ten sticky thumbprints on the door and the sink indicative of the struggle that must have taken place. However, no one saw anything- the one who was responsible has long gone, leaving only a smell behind. The next line with five hundred mugshots and a hundred to one highlights the perception of the futility of the law as very few of these culprits will ever be held accountable for their actions. The last two lines of the verse speak of how taking on a violent lifestyle changes one's whole perspective, with the rest of the year seeming nothing in comparison to the actions of a gun.
The final verse sees the criminal backed against the wall, with blood on the windows, walls, and ceilings. Despite this, the papers continue to downplay the crime as the people become more restless than ever. The singer turns to a doctor who is experienced in handling such situations with the assurance that the criminals will not be back for a long time. The song concludes with the realization that this kind of lifestyle takes a toll on its people- although 'mother of plenty' has them cornered, they are still on the run, with the days of the year having already gone.
Line by Line Meaning
Me and my partner we work on the run
I have a partner, and we work while on the run or on the move.
The quick try to get quicker
Those who are already fast try to get even faster.
And the creepers get hung
Slow people who are trying to catch up end up getting punished or caught.
Now it's you that got wasted tonight on the job
You're the one who got wasted, drunk, or killed on the job tonight, not me.
One lost his liquor
One of us lost his alcohol or got too drunk.
And the other lost his hand
The other one of us lost his hand or got injured in some way.
Ten sticky thumb prints on the door and the sink
There are ten fingerprints left behind on the door and sink that were touched with sticky fingers.
But nothin' saw nothin' - just smell the stink
No one saw anything unusual, but the smell in the air indicates something happened.
Five hundred mugshots and a hundred to one
There are 500 mugshots with only one in a hundred being the correct one.
Four forgotten and the rest just won't come
Four people have been forgotten or overlooked in the investigation and the others won't speak up.
When you've begun to think like a gun
When you start to think or act like a gun, you become dangerous and lethal.
The rest of the year has already gone
The remaining part of the year has already passed by unnoticed or quickly.
(Well) blood on the windows and blood on the walls
The scene is bloody and violent, with blood splattered on the windows and walls.
Blood on the ceiling and down in the halls
There is blood on the ceiling and spread throughout the halls.
And the papers keep downing on everything I burned
The newspapers continue to criticize or condemn me for everything I have burned or destroyed.
And the people getting restless but they'll never learn
The people are getting restless or impatient, but they are unlikely to learn anything from this experience or situation.
I picked up a doctor - he's good with a knife
I have found a doctor who is skilled with a knife or performing surgery.
Says anaesthetic's a waste of his time
This doctor believes that using anesthesia is a waste of his time or unnecessary.
Works in a hurry but always worthwhile
Although this doctor works quickly, his services are always helpful or beneficial.
Knows they won't be back for a long long time
This doctor knows that the patients he is treating will not be returning any time soon.
Top of the staircase was ready to fall
The top of the staircase was unstable and could collapse at any moment.
We were still waiting downstairs in the hall
My partner and I were still waiting downstairs in the hall, despite the danger looming overhead.
Watch out for big mama, she'll set you on fire
Be careful of a powerful or influential person called "big mama," who can set you on fire in a figurative sense.
Or go for your neck with the chicken wire
This person might also go for your neck with a piece of chicken wire or other dangerous weapon.
Mother of plenty, mother of none
A reference to a traditional mother figure who can either provide for everything or nothing at all.
You've got me cornered and still on the run
You have trapped me in a corner, but I am still on the run or trying to escape.
I don't care nothing about you anyway
I don't care at all about you or your intentions.
Stuck in this hole I'm on my way
I am trapped in this situation, but I am leaving or moving on.
Yeah when you've begun to live like a gun
When you start to live your life like a gun, you become dangerous and volatile.
The days of the year have already gone
The remaining days of the year have passed by unnoticed or quickly due to this way of living.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN DAVIES CALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind