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".)
Parasite
Robyn Hitchcock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seeing the light in a station bar and traveling far in sin
Sailing downstairs to the northern line, watching the shine of his shoes
Hearing the trials of the people there, who's to care if they lose?
Take a look, you may see me on the ground
For I am the parasite of this town
Hearing no bell from a steeple tall, people all in dismay
Falling so far on a silver spoon, making the moon for fun
Changing a robe for a size too small, people all get hung
Take a look, you might see me coming through
For I am the parasite who travels two-by-two
I'm lifting the mask from a local clown, feeling down like him
And I'm seeing the light in a station bar and traveling far in sin
And I'm sailing downstairs to the northern line, watching the shine of his shoes
And hearing the trials of the people there, who's to care if they lose?
Take a look, you might see me on the ground
For I am the parasite of this town
Take a look, you may see me in the dirt
For I am the parasite who hangs from your skirt
The song "Parasite" by Robyn Hitchcock tells the story of a person who feels like a burden and a nuisance to society. The first stanza describes someone who sees himself in a clown, both feeling down and lost. This person seeks escape and distraction by drinking in a station bar and traveling. The people around him seem to be struggling in their own lives, and nobody seems to care.
The second stanza continues with the theme of feeling out of place and unwanted. The person dances in a church with chimes, suggesting a mockery of religion and the traditions of society. This person seems to be born into privilege ("falling so far on a silver spoon"), but instead of using it to make a difference in the world, they seem to use it for their own selfish pleasure. Hitchcock repeats the chorus, "For I am the parasite of this town," suggesting that the person feels like they are leeching off of society and not contributing anything worthwhile.
Overall, the song "Parasite" is a critique of society and people who don't feel as though they belong or contribute anything worthwhile. Hitchcock seems to be questioning the point of existence for those who don't make a difference or help others.
Line by Line Meaning
Lifting the mask from a local clown, feeling down like him
I'm unearthing the truth hidden behind the façade of a performer, relating to their sadness and dreariness.
Seeing the light in a station bar and traveling far in sin
I had a moment of realization while drinking in a bar in a train station, and I decided to venture on a journey of wrongdoing.
Sailing downstairs to the northern line, watching the shine of his shoes
I'm going down the stairs to take a train going north, enviously observing the glittering shoes of an affluent man.
Hearing the trials of the people there, who's to care if they lose?
I'm listening to the struggles of those commuters, feeling indifferent about their failures and burdens.
Take a look, you may see me on the ground
I'm often seen lying low, wallowing in my dependency on other people's goodness.
For I am the parasite of this town
I'm a freeloader who thrives off the generosity of others in this community.
Dancing a jig in a church with chimes, a sign of the times today
I'm performing a lively dance in a church with bells ringing, symbolizing the current state of affairs.
Hearing no bell from a steeple tall, people all in dismay
There's an absence of joyous bell sounds from the lofty church tower, causing distress among the people.
Falling so far on a silver spoon, making the moon for fun
I'm failing spectacularly despite being born with a silver spoon in my mouth, engaging in frivolous activities like creating the moon.
Changing a robe for a size too small, people all get hung
I'm swapping my garment for one that's too tight, causing problems for other people who are trying to get dressed.
Take a look, you might see me coming through
Pay attention, because I might be the one waltzing in and taking advantage of your kindness.
For I am the parasite who travels two-by-two
I'm a leech who multiplies my dependence by joining forces with another like me.
Take a look, you may see me in the dirt
I'm often found in the dirty, undesirable corners of society.
For I am the parasite who hangs from your skirt
I'm the one who's clinging to your coat-tails, hoping to benefit from your success and popularity.
Contributed by Anna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David Ryan
God bless Nick and Joe and robyn and all who brought such heartbreaking beauty into this fallen world.
Gandor Wheeze
Brilliant interpretation from the wonderful Robyn Hitchcock!