He regularly does solo work, and returns again and again to bands he has formed like The Soft Boys and The Egyptians. Hitchcock is an avid and able collaborator with people like director Jonathan Demme, actor Alan Rickman, country/folk duo (and longtime Hitchcock fans) Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, The Venus 3, R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, Young Fresh Fellows' frontman Scott McCaughey, Andy Partridge of XTC, Nick Lowe, former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, Jon Brion, and Grant-Lee Phillips, as well as Ministry's Bill Rieflin.
Hitchcock's musical and lyrical styles have been influenced by his appreciation of Bob Dylan, Gregory Corso, The Byrds, Country Joe & The Fish, and Syd Barrett.
Hitchcock's lyrics are an essential component of his work, and tend to include surrealism, comedic songs, characterisations of English eccentrics, plant roots, insects, trains, dreams, and melancholy depictions of everyday life. His themes include what many psychologists view as the roots of modern neurosis - namely, death, sex, and eating. (As if in recognition of these themes, he released an EP in 2007 called "Sex, Food, Death and Tarantulas".)
Ballad of a Thin Man
Robyn Hitchcock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With your pencil in your hand
You see somebody naked
And you say, "Who is that man?"
You try so hard
But you don't understand
Just what you'll say
When you get home
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
You raise up your head
And you ask, "Is this where it is?"
And somebody points to you and says
"It's his."
And you say, "What's mine?"
And somebody else says, "Where what is?"
And you say, "Oh my God
Am I here all alone?"
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
You hand in your ticket
And you go watch the geek
Who immediately walks up to you
When he hears you speak
And says, "How does it feel
To be such a freak?"
And you say, "Impossible."
As he hands you a bone
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
You have many contacts
Among the lumberjacks
To get you facts
When someone attacks your imagination
But nobody has any respect
Anyway they already expect you
To just give a check
To tax-deductible charity organizations
You've been with the professors
And they've all liked your looks
With great lawyers you have
Discussed lepers and crooks
You've been through all of
F. Scott Fitzgerald's books
You're very well-read
It's well-known
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
Well, the sword swallower, he comes up to you
And then he kneels
He crosses himself
And then he clicks his high heels
And without further notice
He asks you how it feels
And he says, "Here is your throat back
Thanks for the loan."
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
Now you see this one-eyed midget
Shouting the word "Now!"
And you say, "For what reason?"
And he says, "How?"
And you say, "What does this mean?"
And he screams back, "You're a cow
Give me some milk
Or else go home!"
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
Well, you walk into the room
Like a camel and then you frown
You put your eyes in your pocket
And your nose on the ground
There ought to be a law
Against you comin' around
You should be made
To wear earphones
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
"Ballad of a Thin Man" by Robyn Hitchcock is a cover of Bob Dylan's original song, and it retains much of the same enigmatic and thought-provoking quality. The lyrics depict a character referred to as "Mister Jones," who is portrayed as someone who is out of touch and struggling to understand the world around him. The use of the third person narrative creates a sense of detachment, as if we are observing Mister Jones from a distance.
The song begins with Mister Jones entering a room and noticing someone naked. This serves as a metaphorical symbol for vulnerability and exposed truth. Mister Jones is confused and fails to comprehend the situation. He feels out of place and disconnected from the reality unfolding before him. There is a sense of unease and a constant question of identity as he repeatedly asks, "Who is that man?," "What's mine?," and "Am I here all alone?"
Throughout the song, there are encounters with different characters who challenge Mister Jones and his perception of the world. These interactions highlight his struggle to fit in and make sense of his surroundings. The mention of "lumberjacks" and "professors" suggests that Mister Jones is well-connected and knowledgeable, yet he still feels inadequate and perplexed.
The final verse introduces a one-eyed midget who demands something from Mister Jones. The midget's demands, like the previous encounters, are nonsensical and further emphasize Mister Jones' confusion and the absurdity of the situations he finds himself in.
Overall, "Ballad of a Thin Man" can be interpreted as a critique of society and the struggle to understand one's place within it. It explores themes of identity, alienation, and the constant search for meaning in an unpredictable world.
Line by Line Meaning
You walk into the room
You enter a situation
With your pencil in your hand
Ready to make observations
You see somebody naked
You witness someone vulnerable
And you say, "Who is that man?"
You question the identity of that person
You try so hard
You make an effort
But you don't understand
Yet you fail to comprehend
Just what you'll say
What words to use
When you get home
When you reflect on it later
Because something is happening here
There's a significant event occurring
But you don't know what it is
Yet you're unaware of its meaning
Do you, Mister Jones?
Do you comprehend, Mister Jones?
You raise up your head
You become attentive
And you ask, "Is this where it is?"
Seeking confirmation of the location
And somebody points to you and says
Someone gestures towards you and declares
"It's his."
"It belongs to him."
And you say, "What's mine?"
You inquire about your possession
And somebody else says, "Where what is?"
While another questions its whereabouts
And you say, "Oh my God
Exclaiming with surprise and concern
Am I here all alone?"
Feeling isolated and bewildered
You hand in your ticket
Submitting your admission pass
And you go watch the geek
Observing the oddity
Who immediately walks up to you
Who instantly approaches you
When he hears you speak
Once he hears your voice
And says, "How does it feel
And he asks, "What's the sensation
To be such a freak?"
Of being so distinctive?"
And you say, "Impossible."
And you respond, "That's not possible."
As he hands you a bone
While he presents you with a token
You have many contacts
You possess numerous connections
Among the lumberjacks
Within the forestry industry
To get you facts
To gather information for you
When someone attacks your imagination
When someone challenges your creativity
But nobody has any respect
Yet nobody holds any regard
Anyway they already expect you
Regardless, they anticipate from you
To just give a check
To simply provide financial support
To tax-deductible charity organizations
To nonprofits eligible for tax deductions
You've been with the professors
You've spent time with intellectuals
And they've all liked your looks
And they've all found you appealing
With great lawyers you have
With skilled attorneys you've
Discussed lepers and crooks
Conversed about social outcasts and criminals
You've been through all of
You've experienced everything
F. Scott Fitzgerald's books
The literary works of F. Scott Fitzgerald
You're very well-read
You're highly knowledgeable
It's well-known
This fact is widely recognized
Well, the sword swallower, he comes up to you
Now, the performer who swallows swords, approaches you
And then he kneels
And then he lowers himself
He crosses himself
He makes the sign of the cross
And then he clicks his high heels
And then he taps his stylish shoes together
And without further notice
Unexpectedly and abruptly
He asks you how it feels
He inquires about your sensations
And he says, "Here is your throat back
And he states, "I'm returning your throat
Thanks for the loan."
I appreciate you lending it to me."
Now you see this one-eyed midget
Now you notice this diminutive individual with one eye
Shouting the word "Now!"
Yelling the word "Now!"
And you say, "For what reason?"
And you ask, "Why?"
And he says, "How?"
And he replies, "In what manner?"
And you say, "What does this mean?"
And you inquire, "What is the significance of this?"
And he screams back, "You're a cow
And he shouts in response, "You're a fool
Give me some milk
Provide me with something
Or else go home!"
Otherwise, leave!"
Well, you walk into the room
Now, you enter the space
Like a camel and then you frown
Moving like a camel and displaying dissatisfaction
You put your eyes in your pocket
You conceal your gaze
And your nose on the ground
And lower your nose towards the floor
There ought to be a law
A regulation should exist
Against you comin' around
To prevent your presence
You should be made
You deserve to be forced
To wear earphones
To wear headphones
Because something is happening here
Because something significant is occurring
But you don't know what it is
Yet you lack awareness of its nature
Do you, Mister Jones?
Do you, Mister Jones, understand?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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