The Bottle
Paul Weller Lyrics

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See that black boy over there, runnin' scared
his ol' man's in a bottle.
He done quit his 9 to 5 to drink full time
so now he's livin' in the bottle.
See that Black boy over there, runnin' scared
his ol' man got a problem
Pawned off damn near everything, his ol'
woman's weddin' ring for a bottle.

And don't you think it's a crime
when time after time, people in the bottle.
See that sista, sho wuz fine before she
started drinkin' wine
from the bottle.
Said her ol' man committed a crime
and he's doin' time,
so now she's in the bottle.
She's out there on the avenue, all by herself
sho' needs help from the bottle.
Preacherman tried to help her out,
she cussed him out and hit him in the head with a bottle.
And don't you think it's a crime
when time after time, people in the bottle.
See that gent in the wrinkled suit
he done damn near blown his cool
to the bottle
He wuz a doctor helpin' young girls along
if they wuzn't too far gone to have problems.
But defenders of the dollar eagle
Said "What you doin', Doc, it ain't legal,"
and now he's in the bottle.
Now we watch him everyday tryin' to
chase the pigeons away
from the bottle.
And don't you think it's a crime

when time after time, people in the bottle.
Send "The Bottle" Ringtone to Cell

Overall Meaning

In Paul Weller's song "The Bottle," he paints a vivid picture of individuals who are struggling with addiction and are trapped in the cycle of dependence. The lyrics tell the story of a Black boy who is scared and has a father who has quit his job to drink full-time, a fine-looking sister who turned to drinking because her old man committed a crime and is in jail, and a doctor who has lost his practice and finds himself drunk on the streets. Weller describes how these characters have all turned to alcohol to cope with their troubles.

The chorus, "don't you think it's a crime when time after time, people in the bottle," is a clear indictment of society's failure to help those who are struggling with addiction. Weller is asking us to consider why we allow this to happen and why we don't offer more support for those who are struggling with addiction.

Overall, "The Bottle" is a poignant and powerful song that sheds light on a serious social issue. The lyrics are impactful and provide insight into the struggles that many individuals face when living with addiction.

Line by Line Meaning

See that black boy over there, runnin' scared his ol' man's in a bottle.
Observing a young black man running in fear, likely due to issues stemming from his father's alcoholism.

He done quit his 9 to 5 to drink full time so now he's livin' in the bottle.
The young man gave up his job to become a full-time drinker, leading him to a life consumed by alcoholism.

Pawned off damn near everything, his ol' woman's weddin' ring for a bottle.
The young man's father was so entrenched in his addiction that he sold off possessions, including his partner's wedding ring, to fund his alcohol habit.

And don't you think it's a crime when time after time, people in the bottle.
It is an injustice that so many individuals fall victim to alcoholism as a destructive means of coping with life's struggles.

See that sista, sho wuz fine before she started drinkin' wine from the bottle.
Observing a woman who was once attractive but became consumed by alcohol addiction.

Said her ol' man committed a crime and he's doin' time, so now she's in the bottle.
The woman's partner committed a crime and is now serving a prison sentence, leading her to rely heavily on alcohol to cope with the situation.

She's out there on the avenue, all by herself sho' needs help from the bottle.
The woman is alone and struggling with her problems, seeking solace in a bottle of alcohol.

Preacherman tried to help her out, she cussed him out and hit him in the head with a bottle.
Despite attempts from a religious leader to offer help and guidance, the woman lashed out violently and continued down a self-destructive path of alcoholism.

See that gent in the wrinkled suit he done damn near blown his cool to the bottle
Noticing an elderly man who has lost his composure and become dependent on alcohol.

He wuz a doctor helpin' young girls along if they wuzn't too far gone to have problems.
The man was once a doctor who provided medical care and assistance to young girls, except those with more serious issues.

But defenders of the dollar eagle Said "What you doin', Doc, it ain't legal," and now he's in the bottle.
Those who prioritized money and greed over the well-being of vulnerable girls targeted the doctor, leading to his downfall and alcohol addiction.

Now we watch him everyday tryin' to chase the pigeons away from the bottle.
The man has reached such a low point in his alcohol addiction that he spends his time aimlessly chasing pigeons away from a bottle of alcohol.

And don't you think it's a crime when time after time, people in the bottle.
Reinforcing the idea that alcoholism is a devastating issue that affects countless individuals, causing significant harm and suffering.

Contributed by Avery L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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