Originally coming to fame in the mid-1960s singing orchestral pop ballads as the frontman of The Walker Brothers, Walker went on to a solo career balancing a light entertainment/MOR ballad approach with increasing artistic innovations in arrangement and writing. Despite a series of acclaimed albums, a disastrous drop in sales forced him back into straight Middle of the road recordings with little of his own artistic input. This in turn eventually led to a Walker Brothers reunion in the mid-1970s (although the latter eventually moved, by mutual consent, into more avant-garde areas).
From the mid-1980s, Walker revived his solo career while drastically reinventing his artistic and compositional methods, via a series of acclaimed and vividly avant-garde albums. These combined his iconic voice with an unsettling avant-garde approach which owed more to modernist and post-modernist classical composition than to his pop singer past. This change in approach has been compared to "Andy Williams reinventing himself as Stockhausen".
Walker has been a continuing influence on other artists, in particular The Last Shadow Puppets, Marc Almond, Goldfrapp, Douglas Pearce of the band Death in June, Billy MacKenzie of The Associates, David Sylvian, Julian Cope, Antony Hegarty, Thom Yorke, Steven Wilson, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Trey Spruance, Perry Blake, Radiohead, Noah Lennox, Mikael Åkerfeldt, and the Divine Comedy/Neil Hannon.
Walker continued to release solo material until his death, and was signed to 4AD Records. As a record producer or guest performer he worked with a number of artists including Pulp, Ute Lemper, Bat For Lashes and Sunn O))).
The Livin' End
Scott Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ado you want to go rockin'
Ado you want to go dancin'
Well, follow me baby and take my hand
We'll lumber on down to the old highway
And tell all the gang to get out of the way
You and me baby side by side
Going for a hot rod ride
Man, this joint is the living end
I know a place just around the bend
Man, this joint is the living end
Ado you want to go hoppin'
Ado you want to go rockin'
Ado you want to go dancin'
Well, follow me baby and take my hand
There is a juke-box there really rocks
And the place full of kids in bobbysocks
Turn the lights way down low
And really cut loose when the cats yell go
Hey!
I know a place just around the bend
Man, this joint is the living end
Ado you want a little huggin'
Ado you want a little squeezin'
Ado you want a little kissin'
Well, follow me baby and take my hand
We'll wander on down to the edge of town
Cuddle up close when the sun goes down
You and me baby side by side
Close together on the secret slide
I know a place just around the bend
Man, this joint is the living end
I know a place just around the bend
Man, this joint is the living end
Ado you want to go hoppin'
Ado you want to go rockin'
Ado you want to go dancin'
Ado you want to go hoppin'
Ado you want to go rockin'.
The lyrics to Scott Walker's "The Livin' End" capture the spirit of youth, adventure, and fun. The singer invites his lover to join him on a hot rod ride to a nearby joint that is "the living end," where they can dance, cut loose, hug, and kiss. The imagery of the old highway, bobbysocks, and the secret slide suggests that the song might be set in the 1950s or early 1960s, which was a time when rock and roll music was the rage, and young people were eager to explore new horizons.
The opening verses establish the upbeat, boisterous tone of the song. The singer asks his lover if she wants to go hoppin', rockin', and dancin'. He then encourages her to take his hand and follow him to the old highway, where they can tell their gang to get out of the way. The use of the word "lumber" in the lyrics creates a sense of anticipation, suggesting that the journey to the joint is going to be a slow, unhurried one. The repetition of the phrase "side by side" emphasizes the connection between the two lovers and underscores the idea that they are in this adventure together.
The second verse introduces the jukebox that "really rocks" and the place that is "full of kids in bobbysocks." These details conjure up a vivid image of a 1950s-style diner or dance hall, complete with neon lights, jukeboxes, and teenagers in poodle skirts and leather jackets. The singer urges his lover to turn the lights down low and cut loose when the cats yell go, signaling the start of some frenzied dancing. The use of the term "cats" is an example of Jive talk, a language popularized by the youth culture of the time.
The final verse takes a slightly softer, more romantic turn as the singer asks his lover if she wants a little huggin', squeezin', and kissin'. They wander down to the edge of town and cuddle up close when the sun goes down. The mention of the "secret slide" suggests that they are finding hidden moments of intimacy and adventure away from the prying eyes of their peers. The repetition of the phrase "I know a place just around the bend, man, this joint is the living end" acts as a refrain that brings the song full circle, emphasizing the idea that this place is the epitome of cool and excitement.
Line by Line Meaning
Ado you want to go hoppin'
Do you want to go out and have fun?
Ado you want to go rockin'
Do you want to listen and dance to rock music?
Ado you want to go dancin'
Do you want to dance?
Well, follow me baby and take my hand
Trust me and let's go.
We'll lumber on down to the old highway
We will walk slowly to the destination.
And tell all the gang to get out of the way
We will make way and ask others to give us space.
You and me baby side by side
We will be close and together.
Going for a hot rod ride
We will go for a thrilling ride in a fast car.
I know a place just around the bend
I know of a place nearby.
Man, this joint is the living end
This place is absolutely amazing!
There is a juke-box there really rocks
There's a high-quality jukebox that plays great music.
And the place full of kids in bobbysocks
The place is crowded with young people wearing bobby socks.
Turn the lights way down low
Dim the lights to create a certain atmosphere.
And really cut loose when the cats yell go
Let loose and dance when the music starts.
Ado you want a little huggin'
Do you want a hug?
Ado you want a little squeezin'
Do you want a squeeze or cuddle?
Ado you want a little kissin'
Do you want a kiss?
We'll wander on down to the edge of town
We will walk leisurely to a remote location outside the town.
Cuddle up close when the sun goes down
We will embrace and snuggle as the sun sets.
Close together on the secret slide
We will be intimately close while using a slide.
Writer(s): Mancini, H., Mckuen, R.
Contributed by Julia Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.