He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
Jerusalem On The Jukebox
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heaven help the Pharisee whose halo has slipped down to his feet
A thousand satellite comedians have died for your sins
Jerusalem on the jukebox, little angels, beat your wings
At poolside picnics they chant for Ferraris and furs
Their muscle-tone sharpens but their hold on reality blurs
You can have your cake and eat it, and never have to puke up a thing
In the bathroom mirror they try that Joan of Arc look again
Two parts Ingrid Bergman to one part Shirley MacLaine
The wounds of time kill you but the surgeon's knife only stings
Jerusalem on the jukebox, little angels, beat your wings
In video-suburbia the blue light flickers and flames
Ecstasy and holy blackmail are the favorite games
And God has the sharpest suit and the cleanest chin
Jerusalem on the jukebox, little angels, beat your wings
The bride checks her hair and her make-up,and here comes the groom
What one-eyed monster comes slouching into your front room
Rudolph Valentino or the curse of the two-legged things
Jerusalem on the jukebox, little angels, beat your wings
The song "Jerusalem on the Jukebox" by Richard Thompson is a commentary on the ways in which modern society has lost touch with religion and spirituality, instead finding solace in materialism and superficiality. The lyrics contrast the idea of Jerusalem, the holy city, with the proliferation of modern technology and entertainment. The reference to talking in tongues on Coronation Street implies that even traditional religious practices have been co-opted by popular entertainment, reducing them to mere spectacle.
Thompson critiques the obsession with material possessions, as seen in the line "At poolside picnics they chant for Ferraris and furs." The idea of having your cake and eating it too is presented as an empty promise, where individuals can pursue all their desires without consequences, a sentiment echoed in the line "never have to puke up a thing." Throughout the song, Thompson contrasts the world of image and appearance with the reality of imperfection and aging.
Despite the cynical tone of the lyrics, there is a sense of hopefulness in the repeated refrain of "little angels, beat your wings." This phrase serves as a reminder that humans have the potential for greatness, and that in a society obsessed with superficialities, it is important to remember what is truly important.
Line by Line Meaning
Jerusalem on the Jukebox, they talk in tongues on Coronation Street
People mix religious imagery with mundane everyday life, like TV dramas.
Heaven help the Pharisee whose halo has slipped down to his feet
Religious hypocrites who pretend to be pious and holy, but their true nature has been revealed.
A thousand satellite comedians have died for your sins
Entertainers who have sacrificed to amuse the masses.
Jerusalem on the jukebox, little angels, beat your wings
In the middle of all this chaos and confusion, people long for spiritual guidance.
At poolside picnics they chant for Ferraris and furs
People crave material possessions, and their selfishness makes them oblivious to their surroundings.
Their muscle-tone sharpens but their hold on reality blurs
People become obsessed with their looks and forget about the world around them.
You can have your cake and eat it, and never have to puke up a thing
People believe they can have everything they want without any negative consequences.
In the bathroom mirror they try that Joan of Arc look again
People try to look inspirational, but they lack the conviction and courage of true heroes.
Two parts Ingrid Bergman to one part Shirley MacLaine
People are influenced by idealized, unrealistic versions of themselves.
The wounds of time kill you but the surgeon's knife only stings
People fear aging and try to fix it through surgery, but forget about the deeper issues.
In video-suburbia the blue light flickers and flames
People consume entertainment in the form of TV and movies to escape their problems.
Ecstasy and holy blackmail are the favorite games
People are attracted to extremes, either through pleasure or through religious fanaticism.
And God has the sharpest suit and the cleanest chin
People create images of God that reflect their own materialistic and superficial tendencies.
The bride checks her hair and her make-up, and here comes the groom
People obsess over appearances and superficial details, instead of focusing on the deeper meaning of marriage.
What one-eyed monster comes slouching into your front room
Television is a monster that invades people's lives and distorts their perception of reality.
Rudolph Valentino or the curse of the two-legged things
People are caught between the idealized image of celebrity and the harsh reality of their own existence.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevearata7362
Rest in peace Hiram Bullock
@TheSkaggs54
Richard Thompson is highly underrated as a guitarist.
@mauriciobeltre14
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@thundergrace
I met Richard thompson at the tralf in Buffalo. I got his autograph. ..but some jerk stole it off my refrigerator when I lived in nashua at 100 main st. Apt 18. It was on a blank receipt from bar resgister. He's tall and very witty. He said to me he was signing a blank ckevk lol😆
@jaykeehan5813
Saw in a NYT article about Thompson about a year ago that he constantly works and tours b/c he’s never had a hit—radio friendly—song that would be like an annuity through royalty checks. I love this song, but way too obscure in its references for the general public. Must be tough to see for Thompson to see far lesser musicians make more money.
@jaykeehan5813
Can't believe that's a show's house band and not his touring band. Wonder how much time they had to rehearse it. Just an insanely high level of playing.
@honeychurchgipsy6
well it does include Dave Sanbourn on sax so we should expect them to be pretty good!!
@IndigoJo
I think that's how it always is on this show. There are quite a few videos of them backing other artists, including others of RT with Joel Sonnier doing Tear Stained Letter.