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/
Liza
Loudon Wainwright III Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At your house afternoons we spent cruising your black driveway
In your junior Thunderbird electric kiddie car
I chauffeured you and you lounged in back
Back then you were a star
Well, your mother she was famous and so you were famous too
Call me groupie, call me gigolo, oh I fell in love with you
"A nurse"
But the way you sparkle way back then I knew you've caught the curse
Everybody's got a block of which they are cheerful
But some cheers grow to be great blocks or lies or?
This is your chauffeur who speaks
Indeed you caught the curse
Now you got to ask her I don't think you'll be a nurse
The song "Liza" by Loudon Wainwright III is a nostalgic reflection of pre-adolescent romance. Wainwright reminisces about his childhood sweetheart Liza, and the time they spent together cruising in a junior Thunderbird electric kiddie car on her black driveway. The playful innocence of their relationship is emphasized by the fact that they were just children at the time.
The verse about Liza's mother being famous adds a layer of complexity to the song's meaning. It is suggested that Liza's fame is not her own, but rather something she has inherited from her mother. This idea is reinforced by Wainwright's use of the term "groupie" and "gigolo" to describe his infatuation with her. The implication is that he was drawn to her because of her social status rather than her individual qualities.
In the final verse, Wainwright reflects on the way Liza's dreams and aspirations have changed over time. He recalls asking her what she wanted to be when she grew up, and her response that she wanted to be a nurse. However, he suggests that Liza has "caught the curse" of her mother's fame and that her ambition to be a nurse may have been overshadowed by the desire for celebrity. The line "everybody's got a block of which they are cheerful, but some cheers grow to be great blocks or lies" could be interpreted as a warning about the dangers of pursuing fame at the expense of one's true passions.
Line by Line Meaning
After school we two engaged in pre-pubescent play
We used to play together after school before hitting puberty
At your house afternoons we spent cruising your black driveway
We used to spend afternoons cruising around your black driveway at your house
In your junior Thunderbird electric kiddie car
We used to ride around in your mini electric car
I chauffeured you and you lounged in back
I used to drive the car while you relaxed in the backseat
Back then you were a star
You were popular and well-known back then
Well, your mother she was famous and so you were famous too
You were famous because your mother was famous
Call me groupie, call me gigolo, oh I fell in love with you
Even though I was just a fan, I fell in love with you
I asked you once what will you be but you quickly said
Once I asked you what you wanted to be in the future, but you answered quickly
"A nurse"
You said you wanted to be a nurse
But the way you sparkle way back then I knew you've caught the curse
Despite saying you wanted to be a nurse, I could tell you were destined for stardom
Everybody's got a block of which they are cheerful
Everyone has something they're happy about
But some cheers grow to be great blocks or lies or?
Sometimes those things people are happy about can turn into obstacles or falsehoods
This is your chauffeur who speaks
I'm the one who used to drive you around
Indeed you caught the curse
You really did become famous
Now you got to ask her I don't think you'll be a nurse
You should ask her what she wants to be now, but I doubt she still wants to be a nurse
Contributed by Jeremiah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.