A graduate of St. Andrew's School, Wainwright is best known for a 1972 novelty song hit Dead Skunk (in the Middle of the Road), with pianist Teddy Wender and for playing Captain Spalding (the "singing surgeon") on three episodes of the American television show M*A*S*H in its third season (1974-1975), but his musical reputation is much deeper. Using a witty, self-mocking style, Wainwright has recorded over twenty albums on eleven different labels. Two of his albums have been nominated for Grammy awards.
He is also a regular actor in Judd Apatow movies. His biggest role was playing the father on Judd's show, Undeclared.
In 2012 his latest offering Older Than My Old Man Now was released.
Official website : http://www.lwiii.com/
Guru
Loudon Wainwright III Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down in Southern California
There's a guru that is guruing there
He's got 250 followers
They're following him everywhere
He's got all of the answers to all of the questions
And he promises to make us fee
That are plaquing our society
All the followers they love to follow their Guru
Everything else is a hoax
They kiss his lotus feet,
You know they make up his bed
You know they're laughing at all of his jokes
He protects his people from the outside world
His people need never be afraid
Cause if you're his disciple and he happens to like ya
I can tell you, that you've got it made
Well if you're not part of this special,
Selective, exclusive, elite family
You're considered a heathen, and a sap, and a sucker
Devoid of spirituality
They try to sell you some mints,
And and some cookies
Or some literature to show you the way
Yeah they'll prostletizing and it's mesmorizing
And they're making moulah everyday
[Chorus:]
In the song "Guru" by Loudon Wainwright III, he vividly describes the setting of Southern California where there's a Guru who is inspiring and guiding 250 followers. He portrays the Guru as someone who has all the answers to society's questions and problems, and has promised a sense of fulfillment to his followers. The Guru is loved and worshipped by his followers who consider everything else as a hoax. They go to the extent of kissing his lotus feet, making his bed, and laughing at all his jokes. The Guru also ensures the safety of all his disciples and protects them from the outside world. However, according to Wainwright, people who are not part of this group are deemed heathens and are devoid of spirituality.
The song sarcastically highlights the concept of blind faith and how people tend to follow such charismatic leaders blindly without questioning their actions or intentions. It shows how people relinquish their power and become a pawn in the hands of such leaders. The song also portrays how these leaders tend to profit from such spirituality, by selling mints, cookies, and literature. In brief, though appearing to be inspiring, the song implies how dangerous the concept of blind faith is, if it leads to exploitation and suppression of the individualistic spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in Southern California
In a specific region of Southern California
There's a guru that is guruing there
There exists a guru in that area who is preaching
He's got 250 followers
He has a group of 250 followers who believe in him
They're following him everywhere
They are constantly by his side
He's got all of the answers to all of the questions
The guru claims to have the solution to every question
And he promises to make us fee
He assures that he can provide us with a feeling of fulfillment
He's got all the solutions to all of the problems
Furthermore, he claims to have solutions to all societal issues
That are plaquing our society
Issues that are afflicting society as a whole
All the followers they love to follow their Guru
The followers are deeply committed and dedicated to their guru
Everything else is a hoax
The followers strongly believe that every other belief system is fake
They kiss his lotus feet,
Devotees humbly show reverence by kissing his feet
You know they make up his bed
Followers attend to the guru's every need
You know they're laughing at all of his jokes
Even the jokes made by the guru are considered wise and hilarious by his devotees
He protects his people from the outside world
The guru shields his followers from the rest of the world
His people need never be afraid
Those who follow the guru never have to fear
Cause if you're his disciple and he happens to like ya
Those who become disciples of the guru and are favored by him have a favorable fate
I can tell you, that you've got it made
They perpetuate the belief that a life of ease and happiness is guaranteed for those who follow their guru
Well if you're not part of this special,
If you are not part of this specific group
Selective, exclusive, elite family
Which is exclusive and highly selective
You're considered a heathen, and a sap, and a sucker
You are considered foolish and unworthy
Devoid of spirituality
Devoid of any form of spiritual understanding
They try to sell you some mints,
The followings attempt to sell trivial things like mints to outsiders
And and some cookies
and snacks like cookies
Or some literature to show you the way
Or they might offer their religious texts to convert you
Yeah they'll prostletizing and it's mesmorizing
The group tries to convert others and it can be rather convincing
And they're making moulah everyday
The group is making a lot of money every day through their tactics
Contributed by Alexander R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.