1. An American pop band active… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists with this name
1. An American pop band active in the 1970's
2. An alternative rock solo musician
3. A hard rock band from Australia
4. An electronica musician
1. Looking Glass was an American pop music group of the early 1970s that was part of the Jersey Shore sound. They are best remembered for their million selling 1972 song, "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)". The group was formed in 1969, at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and consisted of four members: Elliot Lurie (lead guitar and vocals), Lawrence Gonsky (piano), Pieter Sweval (bass), Jeff Grob (drums). They became Starz in 1974.
2. The name used by Jim Wallis of My Sad Captains for his alt-indie solo work.
3. Looking Glass is also an exceptional three-piece hard rock band from Canberra, Australia, who deliver a crushing brand of high-volume noise in the vein of Hawkwind, Cactus and Black Sabbath.
https://lookingglass.bandcamp.com
4. Electronica side project of Gareth Hughes from Bristol band, Maps and Legends. (www.soundcloud.com/looking-glass)
From Stanton Station
Looking Glass Lyrics
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I got laid off 'cause the times weren't good
My unemployment sixty-five dollars
Sixty-five dollars don't buy what it should
I've got a weakness for 80-proof whiskey
Lately, I'm drinking a bottle every day
Messing my mind up
But it helps make those long, lonely hours slip away
I used to be a railroad man
And I'm damn proud of it, too
I did more work in a working day
Than any two men could do
Foreman said I drank too much
I said that's just s half-way true
I drink half as much as my daddy did
And twice as much as you
I used to have me a good looking woman
Loved her and kept her
And called her my own
She started packing when I started drinking
Now I'm drunk and I'm busty
And I'm here all alone
I used to be a railroad man
And I'm damn proud of it, too
I did more work in a working day
Than any two men could do
Foreman said I drank too much
And at last I know it's true
But I'm too far gone to change now
Ain't nothing I can do
In "From Stanton Station," the singer reflects on his past as a railroad worker for the New Jersey Railroad. He shares that he was laid off due to difficult times, and now finds himself struggling to make ends meet with only a meager unemployment benefit of sixty-five dollars. This emphasizes the financial hardship he faces and the dissatisfaction with the state of his life.
The singer reveals that he has developed a weakness for 80-proof whiskey, resulting in him drinking a bottle every day. This habit is taking a toll on his mental state and physical health. Despite the negative consequences, he admits that the alcohol helps him pass the long, lonely hours. This highlights his attempt to escape the difficulties of his reality by engaging in self-destructive behavior.
He mentions that he is proud of his previous work as a railroad man, boasting that he accomplished more in a day than most could in two. However, it seems that his excessive drinking was a factor in him losing his job. He challenges his foreman's statement that he drinks too much by claiming that he drinks half as much as his father did and twice as much as the foreman himself. This suggests he may be trying to justify his actions by comparing them to those around him.
The singer also alludes to the loss of a significant relationship due to his drinking. He had a good-looking woman whom he loved and called his own. However, as his drinking escalated, she began to distance herself from him. Now, drunk and alone, he realizes the impact his behavior has had on his personal life. This further underscores the consequences of his choices and the isolation he currently experiences.
Despite acknowledging that he has indeed been drinking excessively, he recognizes that it is now too late for him to change. This resignation implies a sense of hopelessness and acceptance of his current circumstances. He sees no alternative or solution to his problem and accepts that his drinking has become an irreversible part of his life.
Overall, "From Stanton Station" depicts the struggles and consequences of a man who has lost his job, battles addiction, and has seen his relationships crumble. It explores themes of regret, pride, escapism, and the realization that sometimes change is no longer possible. The lyrics offer a poignant portrayal of the emotional and physical toll that alcoholism can take on a person's life.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to work for the New Jersey Railroad
I used to be employed by the New Jersey Railroad
I got laid off 'cause the times weren't good
I lost my job because of the unfavorable circumstances
My unemployment sixty-five dollars
I receive only sixty-five dollars in unemployment benefits
Sixty-five dollars don't buy what it should
Sixty-five dollars is not enough to afford what I need
I've got a weakness for 80-proof whiskey
I am particularly susceptible to the allure of strong whiskey
Lately, I'm drinking a bottle every day
Recently, I have been consuming one whole bottle of whiskey daily
Messing my mind up
Causing damage to my mental state
Lord, it's wrecking my body
It is severely damaging my physical well-being
But it helps make those long, lonely hours slip away
However, it aids in making the extended and solitary periods of time pass more easily
I used to be a railroad man
I used to work as a dedicated employee in the railroad industry
And I'm damn proud of it, too
And I have a strong sense of pride regarding that
I did more work in a working day
I accomplished a greater amount of work in a single day
Than any two men could do
Than what two individuals combined could achieve
Foreman said I drank too much
The supervisor mentioned that I consume excessive amounts of alcohol
I said that's just s half-way true
I argued that it is only partially accurate
I drink half as much as my daddy did
I consume only half the quantity of alcohol that my father used to
And twice as much as you
Yet, I still drink twice the amount that you do
I used to have me a good looking woman
I used to be in a relationship with an attractive woman
Loved her and kept her
I cherished her and maintained the relationship
And called her my own
And regarded her as my personal belonging
She started packing when I started drinking
She began to prepare to leave when my drinking habit escalated
Now I'm drunk and I'm busty
Now I am intoxicated and alone
And I'm here all alone
And I find myself in solitude
And at last I know it's true
Finally, I acknowledge that it is indeed true
But I'm too far gone to change now
However, I am already too deep into my current state to make any significant changes
Ain't nothing I can do
There is absolutely nothing I can do about it
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Elliot Lurie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben Hamre
I used to work for the New Jersey Railroad
I got laid off 'cause the times weren't good
My unemployment is sixty-five dollars
Sixty-five dollars don't buy what it should
I've got a weakness for 80-proof whiskey
Lately I'm drinkin' a bottle a day
Messin' my mind up, lord, it's wreckin' my body
But it helps make those long lonely hours slip away
I used to be a railroad man, and I'm damn proud of it, too
I did more work in a workin' day, than any two men could do
Foreman said I drink too much and I said that's just half-way true
I drink half as much as my daddy did, and twice as much as you
I used to have me a good lookin' woman
Loved her and kept her, and called her my own
She started packin' when I started drinkin'
Now I'm drunk, and I'm busted, and I'm here all alone
I used to be a railroad man, and I'm damn proud of it, too
I did more work in a workin' day, than any two men could do
Foreman said I drink too much and at last I know it's true
But I'm too far gone to change now, ain't nothin' I can do
Paula Schultz
Love this song! One of those non-hits that is truly a treasure! Elliot Lurie has an awesome voice! Thanks for sharing!
Geo Boss
I love the way the piano comes in after the first verse, beautiful.
Franklin Bumgartener
I think that's a France horn actually.
S.C. Jones
Brandy brought me here. My goodness, the writing on these songs are too good. Great story telling. These guys are awesome.
WhiteeJp
More people need to hear this song.
Robert Lockwood
WhiteeJp I agree
Derek
Such a good song. Wish it got more credit
Darcy McGaffic
What a great song - thanks for posting. Man, those vocals...
Gary 53husker
One of my favorite songs ever. Every word so true.
Christopher Laine
I love the song Brandy, but for me, this is the best tune on the album. It's a stunner, on par with the best Southern rock ballads.