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 Man Who Couldn't Afford To Orgy
John Cale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pity the green man who couldn't afford to orgy
Pity the policeman, pity the snowman
Pity the woman who couldn't afford to orgy
"Say, Johnny, you're a little lonesome?
Oh, come on big boy, let me show you.
Mmm, don't you wanna good time?"
Good for the postman, good for the con man
Good for the milkman, they can afford to orgy
Good for the butcher, good for the astronaut
Good for the curate, they can afford to orgy
"Come on, honey, keep breaking my heart.
Ooh, you're breaking my heart."
If it's a problem getting together
Leave it alone, it's the easiest way
Great while it lasts, but it don't last forever
Nothing like living real dangerously
"Ooh, come on, give yourself a break.
Oh, don't worry, baby, you'll get over it.
Mmm, you'll get over it."
Sorry to hear it, sorry to see it
Sorry to mention I couldn't afford to orgy
Seems such a bother, one thing, another
Tempting and teasing, just for an orgy
"Oh no, you have to take a chance.
Ah, you've gotta give me one chance anyway.
Mmm, you can sure do it. Ah, mmm. C'mon. Mmm."
In John Cale's song "The Man Who Couldn't Afford To Orgy," the lyrics speak to the societal pressure of partaking in sexual activities and being able to afford them. The opening line "pity the poor man, pity the sad man" sets a tone of empathy for those who cannot afford to participate in an orgy, creating an image of sexual liberation for those who can. The repetition of "pity the..." throughout the song emphasizes the ongoing societal pressure tied to sexual activity and how those who cannot participate are viewed as pitiful or not living life to the fullest.
The song also touches on the idea of temptation and pressure to indulge in something, as seen in the line "tempting and teasing, just for an orgy." The lyrics suggest that indulging in orgies is not necessary for a fulfilling life, as seen in lines such as "great while it lasts, but it don't last forever," emphasizing the idea that moments of pleasure are fleeting and do not define a fulfilling life.
Overall, Cale’s lyrics suggest that the societal pressure surrounding sexual activity and indulgence can lead to feelings of inadequacy and despair in those who cannot participate which can be addressed by understanding that sexual freedom does not equate to a happy or fulfilling life.
Line by Line Meaning
Pity the poor man, pity the sad man
Feel sympathy for those who lack the means or opportunity to indulge in excess or pleasure.
Pity the green man who couldn't afford to orgy
Feel sympathy for the inexperienced person who is excluded from participation in lavish, hedonistic activities due to financial constraints.
Pity the policeman, pity the snowman
Feel sympathy for those who are subject to the same societal pressures and expectations, regardless of their literal or figurative coldness or detachment.
Pity the woman who couldn't afford to orgy
Feel sympathy for the female who is excluded from participation in extravagant, indulgent activities due to financial constraints and patriarchal societal restrictions.
"Say, Johnny, you're a little lonesome?
Oh, come on big boy, let me show you.
Mmm, don't you wanna good time?"
A solicitous and potentially manipulative invitation to engage in illicit or immoral behavior, exploiting feelings of loneliness or social isolation to entice consent.
Good for the postman, good for the con man
Good for the milkman, they can afford to orgy
Good for the butcher, good for the astronaut
Good for the curate, they can afford to orgy
Those in positions of power or advantage are able to indulge in luxurious or lavish activities regardless of moral implications or consequences, with societal privileges obscuring judgment and accountability.
"Come on, honey, keep breaking my heart.
Ooh, you're breaking my heart."
An indication of emotional manipulation and coercion, framing acquiescence as a measure of love or affection and placing responsibility for emotional harm on the recipient rather than the manipulator.
If it's a problem getting together
Leave it alone, it's the easiest way
Great while it lasts, but it don't last forever
Nothing like living real dangerously
Avoidance or disassociation from situations or individuals that may lead to repercussions or negative consequences is practical and less complicated, acknowledging the temporary nature of indulgent behavior and the potential risks involved.
"Ooh, come on, give yourself a break.
Oh, don't worry, baby, you'll get over it.
Mmm, you'll get over it."
An attempt to assuage anxiety or guilt related to engaging in risky or taboo behavior, minimizing the potential consequences and implying that any negative feelings will be temporary or insignificant.
Sorry to hear it, sorry to see it
Sorry to mention I couldn't afford to orgy
Seems such a bother, one thing, another
Tempting and teasing, just for an orgy
An acknowledgement of the societal emphasis on indulging in hedonistic behavior despite financial or moral barriers, and a critique of the cultural trends that incentivize or glorify such behavior as a measure of status or pleasure.
"Oh no, you have to take a chance.
Ah, you've gotta give me one chance anyway.
Mmm, you can sure do it. Ah, mmm. C'mon. Mmm."
A repetitive and insistent request for acquiescence to immoral or dangerous behavior, encouraging recklessness and placing responsibility for potential negative outcomes on the individual being solicited.
Contributed by Elena A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.