Silverstein's passion for music was clear early on as he studied for a while at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. As a songwriter, Silverstein kept a low profile but cast a long shadow. He tended to shun publicity and even photographers. Nonetheless, his musical output included many songs which were hits for other artists. Most notably, he wrote the music and lyrics for "A Boy Named Sue" that was performed by Johnny Cash (for which he won a Grammy in 1970); "One's on the Way" (which was a hit for Loretta Lynn), and "The Unicorn Song" which, despite having nothing to do with Ireland nor Irish culture, became the signature piece for The Irish Rovers in 1968 and is popular in pubs all over the world to this day. He wrote the lyrics and music for most of the Dr. Hook songs, including "Cover of the Rolling Stone", "Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball", "Sylvia's Mother", and the cautionary song about VD, "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most". He also wrote many of the songs performed by Bobby Bare, including "Marie Laveau", "Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe", "The Mermaid", "The Winner", and "Tequila Sheila". The song "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan",] recorded in 1979 by Marianne Faithfull and later featured in the films Montenegro and Thelma & Louise, was also by Silverstein.
Daylight Dreamer
Shel Silverstein Lyrics
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Here's the first three pages of my novel bout I don't really remember
Here's my Martin guitar that I never quite learned how to play
That's the daylight dreamer wishful thinker's way
I had a Harley bike but I traded it off to a feller
For the Astroglass boat that's still sittin down in my cellar
I bought a tape recorder and found I had nothin' to say
I got an exercise machine man I'd be glad to let you try it
This well it's a Leika Camera maybe you'd like to buy it
I can get you a real good deal
I just need enough money to buy myself some modeling clay
Yeah that's the daylight dreamer wishful thinker's way
On the day that I die they'll be talking about the dearly departed
And they'll say he never ever finished nothin' that he started
But I started this song man I'm gonna finish it today
Yeah that's the daylight dreamer
(How was it...daylight...oh wish...wishful...think...what were it...
I forgot I forgot the words
Listen... anyway... why don't we just take a break and finish it later you know
Cause I could sure use a sandwich
I wanna get myself a BLT or something
And listen... right near the restaurant there's a great old bookstore.
Right near the restaurant
They got all these great old books... great old comic books...they got Batman)
The song Daylight Dreamer by Shel Silverstein is a whimsical and clever commentary on the human tendency to procrastinate and daydream rather than take action. The lyrics are humorous and poignant, capturing the frustration of creative minds who often struggle to bring their ideas to fruition. The singer lists off several unfinished projects, including a painting, a novel, and a guitar, all of which have been abandoned in favor of other pursuits. The repetition of the phrase "daylight dreamer wishful thinker's way" emphasizes the pattern of behavior that the singer is describing, and the playful melody adds to the lighthearted tone of the song.
The second half of the song takes a more somber turn, as the singer reflects on the possibility of dying without having accomplished anything meaningful. The line "they'll say he never ever finished nothin' that he started" is a harsh but truthful assessment of the consequences of indulging in daydreams rather than taking action. The final verse, in which the singer declares his intention to finish the song despite his distractions, is a small victory in the face of creative paralysis.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's the half-finished painting of a girl that I started last December
I have a lot of hobbies and interests, but rarely finish what I start.
Here's the first three pages of my novel bout I don't really remember
I've started writing novels before, but I never quite remember what I've written.
Here's my Martin guitar that I never quite learned how to play
I've tried learning new things before, but often give up before I become proficient.
That's the daylight dreamer wishful thinker's way
This is just part of who I am as a person, always dreaming and thinking of new ideas, but not always executing them.
I had a Harley bike but I traded it off to a feller
I've made impulsive decisions in the past, like trading in a Harley for a boat.
For the Astroglass boat that's still sittin down in my cellar
I've collected a lot of things over the years, and some of them are still sitting unused in storage.
I bought a tape recorder and found I had nothin' to say
I've tried pursuing creative ambitions in the past, but sometimes run out of ideas or inspiration.
I got an exercise machine man I'd be glad to let you try it
I've invested in exercise equipment before, but don't always use it as much as I intended to.
This well it's a Leika Camera maybe you'd like to buy it
I've spent money on expensive hobbies before, and sometimes try to sell items I no longer use to justify my spending.
Yeah that's the daylight dreamer wishful thinker's way
My tendency to dream big and pursue many interests without always following through is a consistent trait throughout my life.
On the day that I die they'll be talking about the dearly departed
I worry that I won't leave a lasting legacy and people will remember me as someone who was always dreaming but never achieved anything.
And they'll say he never ever finished nothin' that he started
People may judge me for my tendency to start projects and never see them through to completion.
But I started this song man I'm gonna finish it today
Despite my struggles with follow-through, I'm determined to finish this song and leave something behind that I'm proud of.
Yeah that's the daylight dreamer
This is just part of who I am as a person, a daydreamer who has many interests and struggles to see them all through to completion.
(How was it...daylight...oh wish...wishful...think...what were it...
I sometimes struggle with memory or staying on topic, distracted by my many interests.
I forgot I forgot the words
Lack of focus and forgetfulness is one of my struggles, especially when it comes to creative pursuits.
Listen... anyway... why don't we just take a break and finish it later you know
When I get overwhelmed or distracted, I tend to take breaks and return to the project later, rather than pushing through to completion.
Cause I could sure use a sandwich
I often prioritize immediate comfort or pleasure over long-term goals or responsibilities.
I wanna get myself a BLT or something
Food is a comfort to me and sometimes takes priority over other tasks or responsibilities.
And listen... right near the restaurant there's a great old bookstore.
My mind tends to wander easily, and I might start thinking of other hobbies or interests while trying to work on a project.
Right near the restaurant
They got all these great old books... great old comic books...they got Batman
I'm easily distracted by new hobbies or interests, and I may jump from one passion to another without really following through on any of them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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