shortstraw started out in 2007 as a two-piece thrash folk band consisting of the enigma that is oliver nathan and what most would call 'sarcastic', alastair thomas. they played a few shows in and around melville, joburg before bringing in the guitar and keyboard skills of jay hartford and the basswork of the esteemed and handsome phil brierley. now a four-piece, slightly less folky outfit, shortstraw aim to hit the gigging circuit with guns blazing, so look out for a show near you... fuck that's boring. apologies. frankie says go fuck yourself.
Curtain
Shortstraw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
But if I don't hurry now I could be swimming in the deep end
So come around sit down and make yourself comfortable
I pour a drink and we rearrange this living room
Be a pal, be a real friend
And hold my drink because I'm calling curtains
If we just settle down we could be stuck here for the weekend
So come around stand up and make yourself home
We're pouring drinks and we're re-looking kitchen tiles
Be a pal, be a real friend
And lend a hand while I unpack the dishwasher
In real life we're calling curtains
Like at a real job
This is real life now
Rolling maybe a picture frame
Get a real job, get a real job
Get a real job, get a real job
Get a real job, get a real job
In these lyrics, Shortstraw is using metaphors to explore themes of change, uncertainty, and the desire for stability. The first verse begins by presenting the idea of leaving or staying for the weekend. The choice to stick around implies potential commitment and a chance for a deeper connection, while leaving suggests a desire for escape or avoiding responsibility. The urgency in "if I don't hurry now I could be swimming in the deep end" conveys a sense of fear or the consequences of delay. It suggests that if they don't act quickly, they may find themselves overwhelmed or out of their depth.
The second verse furthers these themes by introducing the notion of settling down. Settling down implies making a long-term commitment and creating a home. However, there is an awareness that making this choice could result in feeling stuck or confined, hence the line "could be stuck here for the weekend." The urgency in "if I don't turn this life around" suggests a need for personal growth or a change in direction to avoid being overwhelmed.
The chorus introduces a more literal interpretation of "calling curtains." It likens it to a real job, where "calling curtains" could be understood as ending one's role or quitting. This could signify a desire to escape the responsibilities and pressures of everyday life and pursue something more fulfilling or authentic. The repeated line "get a real job" could be sarcastic or ironic, suggesting that the singer is challenging societal expectations and norms.
Overall, "Curtain" by Shortstraw delves into the complexities of decision-making, stability, and the desire for freedom. It explores the tension between staying and leaving, the fear of being overwhelmed, and the challenge of finding authenticity in a world that often demands conformity.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RUSSELL GRANT COWARD, GAD DE COMBES, THOMAS JAMES REVINGTON, JAKE RUBINSTEIN, ALASTAIR LESLIE THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind