Relentlessly highbrow, Haines's dark-but-mischievous lyrics typically fall into three groups: musings on obscure Anglicana (The Mitford Sisters, Freddie Mills is Dead), bitter attacks on modern society, particularly the arts (The Death of Sarah Lucas, Christ) and twisted 1970s anti-nostalgia (Leeds United, Here's to Old England) - with the odd dash of self-aggrandisement thrown in for good measure.
Despite cultivating an image as a sinister misanthrope over the past fifteen years, Haines's live sets are notable for his self-deprecating humour and between-songs banter - and for their surprising brevity. But considering that most of his songs are well under three minutes, this doesn't necessarily mean a short set list.
Lenny Valentino
Luke Haines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
of every shape and size
The motorcade came down from Redondo
Assasins on the corner tried to throw you a line
You dirty-mouth comic Rodolfo
Lenny Valentino reside
Lazarus decided to rise
The twentieth century had only begun
Ladies averted their eyes
Lenny Valentino reside
John Judnich in the bathroom reading the law
Kitty in the hall with your mother
The girls are sick and tired of your blah blah blah
Some beat-kid said there's no other
and LennyValentino reside
This song by Luke Haines titled Lenny Valentino is a tribute to a legendary comic, a dirty-mouth comic to be precise. The lyrics portray the aftermath of Lenny's death with multiple mourners on the street, of every shape and size. The motorcade procession comes from Redondo with assassins on the corner trying to give a final tribute to Lenny. He is referred to as Rodolfo, which could be his real name or a nickname. Despite his rough language, Lenny Valentino was loved and respected by many, making his death a great loss to those who knew him.
The Pope also shows up in the song to renounce Lenny as the real one, which could be suggesting that Lenny was a controversial figure. Lazarus, the biblical character who was resurrected from the dead, also makes an appearance in the song, suggesting that the impact of Lenny's death was felt by many. It was also the beginning of the twentieth century, and ladies averted their eyes, probably out of shame or respect for Lenny's character.
In conclusion, the lyrics of Lenny Valentino by Luke Haines pay tribute to a legendary, albeit controversial, dirty-mouth comic who was loved and respected by many. His death was mourned by mourners of every shape and size who showed up on the streets. Lazarus and the Pope symbolize the great loss felt by the world upon the death of Lenny.
Line by Line Meaning
There were mourners on the street
The death of Lenny Valentino has affected many people and they have assembled on the roads to mourn his loss.
of every shape and size
All kinds of people, irrespective of their race, caste, or ethnicity, have come together to mourn Lenny Valentino's death.
The motorcade came down from Redondo
The procession carrying the dead Lenny Valentino arrived from Redondo to the place of his funeral.
Assasins on the corner tried to throw you a line
Even after his death, there are people who want to harm Lenny Valentino and his legacy.
You dirty-mouth comic Rodolfo
Lenny Valentino was a comic artist, known for his humorous and sometimes controversial content.
Lenny Valentino reside
Despite his death, the persona of Lenny Valentino still exists and resonates with people.
The Pope renounced you as the real one
Lenny Valentino's work was so misunderstood that even religious figures, like the Pope, spoke out against him.
Lazarus decided to rise
Just like how Lazarus was brought back to life, Lenny Valentino's work has transcended beyond his death and still lives on.
The twentieth century had only begun
Lenny Valentino created his work in the early 20th century when society was still trying to make sense of the world.
Ladies averted their eyes
Ladies were not comfortable with Lenny Valentino's style of comedy and chose to stay away from it.
John Judnich in the bathroom reading the law
One of Lenny Valentino's contemporaries, John Judnich, is depicted as reading law in the bathroom in the face of Lenny Valentino's sudden death.
Kitty in the hall with your mother
A grieving Kitty, possibly Lenny Valentino's partner, is shown to be with his mother in the hall.
The girls are sick and tired of your blah blah blah
Some of the audience is shown to be getting tired of Lenny Valentino's humor, to the point where it can be described as 'blah blah blah.'
Some beat-kid said there's no other
However, there are still parts of the audience who believe that Lenny Valentino was a one-of-a-kind artist, and cannot be replaced by any other.
and LennyValentino reside
The legacy of Lenny Valentino still resides even after his death.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LUKE MICHAEL HAINES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind