Memo From Turner
Mick Jagger Lyrics
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On a hot and dusty night?
We were eating eggs in Sammy's
When the black man there drew his knife
Aw, you drowned that Jew in Rampton
As he washed his sleeveless shirt
You know, that Spanish-speaking gentlemen
Come now, gentleman
I know there's some mistake
How forgetful I'm becoming
Now you fixed your business straight
I remember you in Hemlock Road
In nineteen fifty-six
You're a faggy little leather boy
With a smaller piece of stick
You're a lashing, smashing hunk of man
Your sweat shines sweet and strong
Your organs working perfectly
But there's a part that's not screwed on
Weren't you at the Coke convention
Back on nineteen sixty-five
You're the misbred, gray executive
I've seen heavily advertised
You're the great, gray man whose daughter licks
Policemen's buttons clean
You're the man who squats behind the man
Who works the soft machine
Come now, gentleman
Your love is all I crave
You'll still be in the circus when I'm laughing
Laughing in my grave
When the old men do the fighting
And the young men all look on
And the young girls eat their mothers meat
From tubes of plasticon
Be wary of these my gentle friends
Of all the skins you breed
They have a tasty habit
They eat the hands that bleed
So remember who you say you are
And keep your noses clean
Boys will be boys and play with toys
So be strong with your beast
Oh Rosie dear, don'tcha think it's queer
So stop me if you please
The baby is dead, my lady said
"You gentlemen, why you all work for me?"
The lyrics of Memo from Turner by Mick Jagger refer to a conversation between two men, one of whom seems to be shedding light on the many diverse identities and experiences of the other. The singer describes seeing the other person in various settings such as San Antone, Sammy's, Hemlock Road, and at a Coke convention. The lyrics go on to suggest that this person has a lack of a moral compass, with descriptions of violence and murder. The lyrics then switch to a warning about being wary of certain types of people, not taking things at face value, and remembering to stay true to oneself. In the end, the lyrics take on a surreal quality with the mention of a baby's death and the question as to why ‘you gentlemen, why you all work for me?’
On the surface, the lyrics seem random, but they may be interpreted as describing the fragile nature of human identity, the complex ways people can be connected, and at the same time keep their true selves hidden. It is about the issues of conformity, identity, and individuality as well as the realization that the world is full of charlatans, some who are rich and powerful, but who are also lacking in any moral integrity. Mick Jagger's lyrics are open for interpretation and while there is no one universal meaning to be plucked from its lines; there could be clues in the time-frame of 1968 and 1969 when the song was created, a time when the Vietnam War was raging, the Cold War was in full swing, and civil unrest prevailed in many major cities.
Line by Line Meaning
Didn't I see you down in San Antone
On a hot and dusty night?
I remember seeing you in San Antonio on a hot night when we were eating at Sammy's.
We were eating eggs in Sammy's
When the black man there drew his knife
We were enjoying our meal at Sammy's when a black man pulled out a knife.
Aw, you drowned that Jew in Rampton
As he washed his sleeveless shirt
I recall hearing that you killed a Jew while he was washing his shirt in Rampton.
You know, that Spanish-speaking gentlemen
The one we all called Kurt
Kurt, the man we all knew who spoke Spanish, was also a victim of your violent actions.
Come now, gentleman
I know there's some mistake
How forgetful I'm becoming
Now you fixed your business straight
I am aware that something went wrong, but I am trying to forget it. Have you rectified the matter now?
I remember you in Hemlock Road
In nineteen fifty-six
You're a faggy little leather boy
With a smaller piece of stick
I remember you from Hemlock Road in 1956, when you were a gay young man with a smaller-than-average penis.
You're a lashing, smashing hunk of man
Your sweat shines sweet and strong
Your organs working perfectly
But there's a part that's not screwed on
Physically, you are strong and virile, but you lack common sense.
Weren't you at the Coke convention
Back on nineteen sixty-five
You're the misbred, gray executive
I've seen heavily advertised
I remember seeing you at the Coca-Cola convention in 1965. You are a poorly bred executive who is over-promoted in advertisements.
You're the great, gray man whose daughter licks
Policemen's buttons clean
You're the man who squats behind the man
Who works the soft machine
You are the distinguished, gray-haired man whose daughter engages in sexual acts with police officers. You are also the person behind the scenes pulling the strings of those in power.
Come now, gentleman
Your love is all I crave
You'll still be in the circus when I'm laughing
Laughing in my grave
Dear sir, I only desire your love. You'll still be working hard while I enjoy the fun and relaxation of the afterlife.
When the old men do the fighting
And the young men all look on
And the young girls eat their mothers meat
From tubes of plasticon
When the elders are engaged in discord, the younger generation gets to bear witness. In this world where everything is artificial, even the females are given synthetic nutrients from tubes.
Be wary of these my gentle friends
Of all the skins you breed
They have a tasty habit
They eat the hands that bleed
My dear friends, be careful of the company you keep. Those who associate with you may have some perverse habits, like cannibalizing those who need help.
So remember who you say you are
And keep your noses clean
Boys will be boys and play with toys
So be strong with your beast
Never forget your identity and keep your affairs on the straight and narrow. Men will be men and engage in childish behavior. Thus, you must be tough and disciplined.
Oh Rosie dear, don'tcha think it's queer
So stop me if you please
The baby is dead, my lady said
"You gentlemen, why you all work for me?"
Rosie, my dearest, don't you think it's odd? If you disagree with me, please let me know. My lady has given me the shocking news that the baby has passed away. All of you men are working for me, but why?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealForrestGeorge
Didn't I see you down in San Antone
On a hot and dusty night?
We were eating eggs in Sammy's
When the black man there drew his knife
Aw!!! you drowned that Jew in Rampton
As he washed his sleeveless shirt
You know, that Spanish speaking gentlemen
The one that we all called "Kurt"
Come now, gentlemen
I know there's some mistake
How forgetful I'm becoming
Now!!! you fixed your business straight
I remember you in Hemlock Road
In nineteen fifty-six
You're a faggy little leather boy with
A smaller piece of stick
You're a lashing
Smashing hunk of man;
Your sweat shines
Sweet and strong
Your organ's working perfectly
But there's a part
That's not screwed on
Weren't you at the Coke convention
Back in nineteen sixty-five
You're the misbred
Grey executive
I've seen heavily advertised
You're the great grey man
Whose daughter licks
Policemen's buttons clean
You're the man who squats behind
The man who works the soft machine
Come now, gentlemen
Your love is all I crave
You'll still be in the circus
When I'm laughing
Laughing in my grave
When the old men do the fighting
And the young men all look on
And the young girls eat
Their mothers' meat
From tubes of plasticon
Be wary please my gentle friends
Of all the skins you breed
They have a tasty habit
They eat the hands that bleed
So remember who you say you are
And keep your noses clean
Boys will be boys and play
With toys so be strong
With your beast
Oh!!! Rosie dear
Doncha think it's queer
So stop me if you please
The baby's dead
My lady said
You gentlemen
Why you all work for me!!!
@vinzelrato
one of the most underrated songs of all time...
@manfredwilliams9762
Amen to that
@peterpaulrutti9221
Ich schätze nur Abwechslung zwischen nämlich und weiblich so wie in der Reinkarnation ist das auch jdealer
@vinzelrato
@Peter Paul Rütti I don't get shit of what you're saying man
@timothybayless4557
mft sets the table, and offers the menu....
@vinzelrato
@Timothy Bayless what or who is mft ?
@Pat-RickSmith
The slide work in this song is nothing short of amazing and a very underrated stones song .
@desperatemohammedantheworl5833
This version's a solo Mick Jagger track.
@ChristophSchellhorn
Ry Cooder
@Pat-RickSmith
@Christoph Schellhorn Thank you I stand corrected I know Keef nicked a whole bunch of riffs and other guitar wizardy off of this cat .