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.
The Ballad of Cable Hogue
John Cale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Money talks, people hoping
Cable Hogue, where've you been?
Cable Hogue, where've you been?
Something inside me tells me you won't show
I know you're carrying heat
What for God only knows
Cable Hogue, where've you been?
I just wanted to say goodbye
Wanted so much to say goodbye
Wanted to say goodbye to all my friends
In case I die
Need to go to Georgia
I got a bank to blow
Living ain't easy
But it's much harder when it's slow
Cable, Cable, why did you leave me?
Cable Hogue, where've you been?
You know they're looking for you down south
And all you've got to do is go down there
And open your big fat mouth
Oh, Cable, Cable you can't leave me here like this
You can't leave me here like this
Cable, please don't leave me here like this
You can't, you can't
The lyrics of John Cale's song "Cable Hogue" depict a sense of longing and desperation. The opening lines paint a picture of a mundane Monday morning commute with people hoping and money talking. The repetition of the line "Cable Hogue where've you been" throughout the song suggests that Cable Hogue is a friend or a loved one who has gone missing, leaving the singer worried and looking for answers. The lines "Something inside me tells me you won't show / I know you're carrying heat / What for God only knows" could reflect the singer's fear that Cable Hogue is in danger or trouble.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more intense and urgent. The lines "Need to go to Georgia, got a bank to blow / Living ain't easy, but it's much harder when it's slow" suggest that the singer is planning something risky or illegal, perhaps in search of money or thrills. Meanwhile, Cable Hogue remains absent and elusive, with the singer pleading for their return. The repetition of the line "Cable Hogue where've you been" takes on a more desperate and melancholy tone, as the singer realizes that they may never see their friend again.
Overall, the lyrics of "Cable Hogue" are open to interpretation, but they evoke a strong sense of yearning, uncertainty, and the fraught emotions that come with missing someone.
Line by Line Meaning
Traffic moving slowly monday morning
The streets are congested on a Monday morning.
Money talks, people hoping
People rely on money to achieve their desires and dreams.
Cable hogue where've you been
Asking the whereabouts of Cable Hogue.
Something inside me tells me you won't show
Feeling that Cable Hogue won't appear.
I know you're carrying heat
Knowing that Cable Hogue is armed.
What for god only knows
The reason for Cable Hogue carrying a weapon is unclear.
Cable why'd you leave me
Questioning why Cable Hogue left.
I just wanted to say goodbye
Wanting to bid farewell.
So much to say goodbye
Having many things to say before leaving.
Wanted to say goodbye to all my friends in case i die
Desiring to say goodbye to friends in case of death.
Need to go to georgia, got a bank to blow
Having to travel to Georgia to rob a bank.
Living ain't easy, but it's much harder when it's slow
Life is difficult, but it's even more challenging when nothing is happening.
Cable wish you were with me now
Wishing Cable Hogue was present.
You know they're looking for you down south
Aware that people in the South are searching for Cable Hogue.
And all you've got to do is go down there
Cable Hogue only needs to travel to the South.
And open your big fat mouth
Spilling secrets when arriving in the South.
Cable you can't leave me here like this
Asking that Cable Hogue doesn't leave.
Cable please...
Begging Cable Hogue to stay.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John Davies Cale
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind