Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons sings on this track with Wainwright. The following year, Rufus sang on the Antony and the Johnsons song "What Can I Do?"
Wainwright's sister, Martha, also adds backing vocals.
Running 8:54, this song closes out the Want Two album with a touch of levity and an array of musical textures, including piano, violin, viola, cello, ukulele, banjo, djembe and tambourine. The album overall is rather intense and quite melancholy.
Old Whore's Diet
Rufus Wainwright Lyrics
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Gets me going in the morning
Ain't nothing like it
Gets me going in the morning
To say I love you
Gets me going where I want to
Oh, gets me going
To say I love you
Gets me going where I want to
Oh, gets me going
Oh, gets me going in the morning
Hell, either here or Hell will do
Either here or Hell will employ you
Suicidal assistance
An old whore's diet
The song "Old Whore's Diet" by Rufus Wainwright seems to be a creative and provocative metaphor for how different vices and destructive habits can, paradoxically, provide some form of release or stimulation. The lyrics suggest that an "old whore's diet" has a particular effect on the singer, getting him going in the morning. This can be interpreted as a reference to indulging in unhealthy, oftentimes dangerous or immoral behavior, which somehow excites him and gives him a sense of purpose.
However, the song implies that this feeling is fleeting, and that the singer is always in search of the next thrill or high. This is hinted at in the lines "Either here or Hell will do, either here or Hell will employ you, suicidal assistance." The idea here is that engaging in harmful activities can lead to a downward spiral, and the only way out is to seek help. But for the singer, this help comes in the form of a cycle of addiction and self-destruction, as indicated by the repeated refrain of "To say I love you gets me going where I want to."
Line by Line Meaning
An old whore's diet
The habit of an elderly prostitute to consume something stimulating or invigorating
Gets me going in the morning
It stimulates or activates me at the beginning of the day
Ain't nothing like it
There's no other similar thing to it
To say I love you
To express my affection for someone
Gets me going where I want to
It motivates me to go wherever I wish to go
Oh, gets me going
Oh, it ignites my passion
Either here or Hell will do
Being in either in this world or in the afterlife seems acceptable
Either here or Hell will employ you
Both in life and death, someone will use or exploit you
Suicidal assistance
Help to commit suicide
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind