Lambchop is an American alt-country band from Nashville, Tennessee, the cap… Read Full Bio ↴Lambchop is an American alt-country band from Nashville, Tennessee, the capital of country music. Originally called Posterchild, the band (which formed in 1986) cannot easily be classified into a genre and certainly not into that of traditional country music. The collective around frontman Kurt Wagner has a fluid membership, at times including as many 18 musicians, and is frequently associated with alternative country. Lambchop’s music combines wryly ironic lyrics that are complex in form and content with harmonious tunes and soulful background vocals. It is indebted to folk and country as much as to the smooth soul of Barry White, Curtis Mayfield or Marvin Gaye and can be seen as a fine exemplification of Kris Kristofferson’s famous line: “country music is the white man’s soul”.

Popeye
Lambchop Lyrics

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Sadly, all of our business
Is the business of our dying here at home
And you ought to understand that
For the moment things sounds pretty good that way

I know nothing of consensus
But I'm pretty sure the message got from Palestine to Rome
And your family doesn't live there

Since the wall and your old spotted dog came down

And sha la la la la you'll get it
Sha la la la la forget it
Sha la la la la forever more

And sha la la la la you'll get it
Sha la la la la forget it
Sha la la la la forever more
Can you feel me now?
Can you feel me now?

To arrive about an hour from now
And they say that security
And the weather won't be decent anyhow

I've been looking through these pages
Of a diary that they made me keep in school
And the words were really awful
But this picture that I found of you was cool

And sha la la la la you'll get it
Sha la la la la forget it
Sha la la la la forever more

And sha la la la la you'll get it
Sha la la la la forget it
Sha la la la forever more
Can you feel me now?
Can you feel me now?

Sadly, all of our business

Is the business of our dying here at home
And you ought to understand that

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lambchop's song "Popeye" reflect on the current state of the world, particularly the political climate and conflict in the Middle East. The opening lines, "Sadly, all of our business/ Is the business of our dying here at home," suggest a somber tone and a sense of helplessness in the face of ongoing violence and death. The use of "ours" implies a collective responsibility for the violence and dying, and the repetition of "here at home" emphasizes that this is not just a problem happening far away but is affecting us all.

The next lines, "And you ought to understand that/ For the moment things sounds pretty good that way," suggest a criticism of those who are apathetic or passive in the face of violence and who choose to ignore the reality of the situation. The use of "that way" implies that the current state of affairs is not sustainable and needs to change.

The rest of the lyrics are more abstract but seem to reflect on themes of communication, memory, and connection. The repetition of "Sha la la la la you'll get it/ Sha la la la la forget it/ Sha la la la la forever more" suggests a sense of frustration or futility in attempting to communicate or make oneself understood. The reference to a diary and a picture found within, along with the question "Can you feel me now?" suggest an attempt to connect with someone or with the past, even in the face of difficulties and obstacles.

Overall, the lyrics of "Popeye" are poignant and thought-provoking, reflecting on complex themes of violence, apathy, communication, memory, and connection.

Line by Line Meaning

Sadly, all of our business
Regrettably, all our affairs revolve around the subject of our inevitable decay in our homeland.

Is the business of our dying here at home
Our daily business is incurred by our passing in this place that we call home.

And you ought to understand that
It is imperative that you comprehend this statement.

For the moment things sounds pretty good that way
Current circumstances seem favorable following this set course of events.

I know nothing of consensus
I am not knowledgeable about agreement by the majority.

But I'm pretty sure the message got from Palestine to Rome
Although it is uncertain, it seems plausible that the message got relayed from Palestine to Rome.

And your family doesn't live there
Your family does not reside in that area.

Since the wall and your old spotted dog came down
After the wall and your former dog with spots were removed.

And sha la la la la you'll get it
You will understand the message indirectly conveyed.

Sha la la la la forget it
Disregard the syllables repeated in the previous line.

Sha la la la la forever more
These sounds will remain perpetually.

Can you feel me now?
Are you able to sense my presence at present?

To arrive about an hour from now
Scheduled to reach the destination within 60 minutes from now.

And they say that security
Sources have indicated that security would be heightened.

And the weather won't be decent anyhow
Furthermore, the climate will not be satisfactory regardless.

I've been looking through these pages
I have been scrutinizing these pages thoroughly.

Of a diary that they made me keep in school
This diary that was enforced upon me while I was in school.

And the words were really awful
The terms expressed in these pages were unpleasant.