Like a Beach Rock revival, Shannon and the Clams take you back to a time when Judy and Johnny were your favorite worst couple, with the help of some very heartbreaking background vocals and guitar riffs of which The Beatles would be proud. Influences like The Beach Boys, The Shangri- La's, The Ronettes, and Patsy Cline shine through in songs like "When You're On", with front woman Shannon crooning like a scorned Leslie Gore, but with a rough unpolished edge inspired by the likes of The Cramps, Bad Brains, and fellow beach bum Nobunny.
Rip Van Winkle
Shannon and the Clams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm counting every breath that you take
You've been snoozing 20 years and lengthening that beard
You whittled a squirrel for me
And counted lemons on your tree
And every time I turn around and have given up for good
I said, "Hey, I'm alright"
Every time I turn around and have given up for good
You're haunted by the things that you've seen
I know they give you terrible dreams
We all know you'll wake up soon and rattle off that dust
You can spot a hawk a mile away
Cursing all those old blue jays
But every time I turn around and have given up for good
You say, "Hey, I'm alright"
You said, "Hey, I'm alright"
Every time I turn around and have given up for good
Hey, let's go cruise the J
I'll take you away, I'll take you away
Can't fill any more plates, move any more chairs
It's been too many years, it's been too many years
The lyrics to "Rip Van Winkle" by Shannon and the Clams seem to be addressing a person who has been asleep for years, disconnected from the world around them. The first verse describes how this person has been "snoozing 20 years," while the singer has been counting every breath they take. The second verse describes how Rip Van Winkle has been whittling a squirrel and counting lemons on their tree, indicating a kind of aimless existence. However, the chorus suggests that even though the singer has given up hope, Rip Van Winkle remains optimistic, telling them that "it'll be alright." The third verse turns more serious, with Rip Van Winkle being haunted by their dreams and cursing at old blue jays. The last lines of the song suggest a desire to escape and start anew, with the singer taking Rip Van Winkle away from the plates they've been filling and chairs they've been moving for too many years.
Overall, "Rip Van Winkle" seems to be a commentary on people who have lost touch with reality and are existing in a kind of sleepy, stagnant state. The song doesn't necessarily judge this state but recognizes it as a valid way of being in the world. Rip Van Winkle himself is portrayed as someone who is somewhat out of sync with the time they find themselves in, yet remains optimistic and sees the world in a unique way.
Line by Line Meaning
You're sleeping all your moments away
You are wasting time and not experiencing life.
I'm counting every breath that you take
I am aware of your existence and watching over you.
You've been snoozing 20 years and lengthening that beard
You have been in a deep sleep for decades and your physical appearance has changed as a result.
You whittled a squirrel for me
You created a small wooden figure of a squirrel for me.
And counted lemons on your tree
You kept track of the number of lemons growing on your tree.
And every time I turn around and have given up for good
Every time I lose hope and abandon something.
You say, "Hey, it'll be alright"
You reassure me that everything will be okay.
I said, "Hey, I'm alright"
I confirm that I am doing okay.
You're haunted by the things that you've seen
You are tormented by past experiences.
I know they give you terrible dreams
I am aware that they cause you to have nightmares.
We all know you'll wake up soon and rattle off that dust
We all know that you will awaken from your slumber soon and get moving again.
You can spot a hawk a mile away
You have keen observation skills and can see things from far away.
Cursing all those old blue jays
You express anger towards these specific birds.
Hey, let's go cruise the J
Let's go for a drive along Route J.
I'll take you away, I'll take you away
I will take you with me and help you escape from your current state.
Can't fill any more plates, move any more chairs
I am exhausted and can no longer keep doing the same thing.
It's been too many years, it's been too many years
It has been too long since I have been in this position.
Contributed by Savannah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JENNYTURTLES
You're sleeping all your moments away
I'm counting every breath that you take
You've been snoozing 20 years and lengthening that beard
You whittled a squirrel for me
And counted lemons on your tree
And every time I turn around and have given up for good
You say, "Hey, it'll be alright"
I said, "Hey, I'm alright"
Every time I turn around and have given up for good
You're haunted by the things that you've seen
I know they give you terrible dreams
We all know you'll wake up soon and rattle off that dust
You can spot a hawk a mile away
Cursing all those old blue jays
But every time I turn around and have given up for good
You say, "Hey, I'm alright"
You said, "Hey, I'm alright"
Every time I turn around and have given up for good
Hey, let's go cruise the J
I'll take you away, I'll take you away
Can't fill any more plates, move any more chairs
It's been too many years, it's been too many years
@crystalcorpsevisuals1968
Found out about this song from a netflix movie called The Open house... Instantly fell in love with the song when they played like 10 seconds of it.
@victoriaarmijo2046
Trace Keen same video is scarier than the movie though π
@partyrocket859
Me too. Only good thing about that movie, cause it was garbage.
@najeewilson8942
Trace Keen same!!! My teacher showed it!
@fiqashafika6315
yeah me too!
@kaliya497
Trace Keen omg sameeeπβΌοΈ
@pennev
This Music Video is scarier than the movie.
@sevman7
Fenne Verrecas lmaooo ur right. Itβs so funny how everyone came here bc of open house
@jumbled-jukebox5364
Lol this is awesome and hella true
@leanderbenally4911
Very accurate.