Afternoon
Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers (LocoStavos) Lyrics
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Yeah, yeah
And there's the moon
So pale
And all the trees are whisperin' and the elves are whisperin' to me
That's right
I am, I am
How they whisper so nice
They whisper to me
I am, I am
They whisper to me
I am, I am
Doo-pop doo-pop da-tommy-too-pop
Doo-pop doo-pop da-tommy-too-pop
I am, I am
The wind cries
I am, I am
For you see, it's afternoon
Yeah, yeah
There's the moon, it's so pale
All the plants whisper, the lake and the lilies, they whisper a song to me
It sounds like this
I am, I am
That's what it sounds like
I am, I am
I am, I am
I am, I am
Doo-pop doo-pop da-tommy-too-pop
Doo-pop doo-pop da-tommy-too-pop
Doo-pop doo-pop da-tommy-too-pop
Doo-pop doo-pop da-tommy-too-pop
I am, I am
I am, I am
I am, I am
I am, I am
Two more times
I am, I am
I am, I am
The lyrics of Jonathan Richman's "Afternoon" are quite abstract, invoking a dream-like state in which the singer is enchanted by the whispers of plants, trees, and elves. The song begins with the singer expressing that it is the afternoon and the moon is out, painting a surreal picture. The inanimate objects like trees and plants seem to whisper to the singer and the singer responds, "I am, I am," as if in a trance, an acknowledgment of his own existence. The song makes use of the doo-wop beat and catchy lyrics to create an eerie yet fascinating picture of a dream-like state in the afternoon.
The song evokes a surrealist and dreamy feeling, and suggests a deep connection between nature and the singer. The plants and trees whispering to him suggest a personification of nature with supernatural qualities. The use of repetition throughout the song reinforces the hypnotic, almost meditative qualities of the singer's musings, it's almost as if nature is casting a spell on him.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, it's afternoon
I am aware that it's currently the afternoon
And there's the moon
The moon is visible in the sky
So pale
The moon appears to be a light shade of white or gray
And all the trees are whisperin' and the elves are whisperin' to me
The trees and elves are communicating with me in a barely audible manner
That's right
Affirmative, what I previously stated is true
I am, I am
I exist, I exist
How they whisper so nice
The whispering from the trees and elves is pleasant to my senses
The wind cries
The wind is making a mournful sound
Doo-pop doo-pop da-tommy-too-pop
Non-lexical, meaningless sounds
For you see, it's afternoon
Allow me to explain, it's currently the afternoon
All the plants whisper, the lake and the lilies, they whisper a song to me
Multiple plant lifeforms are making inaudible sounds that collectively resemble a song, which I am able to perceive
It sounds like this
The sounds that are being emitted by the plants resemble the noises I am about to make
Two more times
I will repeat myself twice more
I am, I am
I continue to exist, I affirm my own being
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: JONATHAN MICHAEL RICHMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind