Texas Radio refers to high power Mexican border blaster radio stations that blasted Texas in the 1950s. Not restricted by American regulations, said stations could have up to 250 kilowatts. Morrison and Manzarek both heard Wolfman Jack on one of these Mexican stations.
The Wasp
The Doors Lyrics
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Comes out of the Virginia swamps
Cool and slow with plenty of precision
With a back beat narrow and hard to master
Some call it heavenly in its brilliance
Others, mean and rueful of the Western dream
I love the friends I have gathered together on this thin raft
We have constructed pyramids in honor of our escaping
This is the land where the Pharaoh died
The Negroes in the forest brightly feathered
They are saying, "forget the night
Live with us in forests of azure
Out here on the perimeter there are no stars
Out here we is stoned, immaculate"
Listen to this, and I'll tell you 'bout the heartache
I'll tell you 'bout the heartache and the loss of God
I'll tell you 'bout the hopeless night
The meager food for souls forgot
I'll tell you 'bout the maiden with wrought iron soul
I'll tell you this
No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn
I'll tell you 'bout Texas radio and the Big Beat
Soft, driven, slow and mad, like some new language
Now, listen to this, and I'll tell you 'bout the Texas
I'll tell you 'bout the Texas radio
I'll tell you 'bout the hopeless night
Wandering the Western dream
Tell you 'bout the maiden with wrought iron soul
The Doors' "The Wasp" is a poetic exploration of various themes, including the power of music, the beauty of nature, and the struggle of the human condition. The opening lines introduce the listener to Texas radio, which according to Jim Morrison, emits a big beat that originates from the Virginia swamps. The ensuing descriptions of the beat as "cool and slow with plenty of precision" set an evocative tone for the song. It's a backbeat that is "narrow and hard to master", indicating its complexity and beauty.
Morrison goes on to describe how some people perceive the beat as both heavenly and mean, suggesting that music is open to interpretation and its meaning varies from person to person. The metaphor of constructing pyramids in honor of their escaping illustrates the point that music is a form of escape from the difficulties of life. The lyrics then shift to the natural world, describing colorful birds and urging the listener to forget the night and live in the azure forests with them.
The song takes a darker turn as Morrison speaks of heartache, loss of God, and the hopeless night. He speaks of the maiden with the wrought iron soul, a woman with a tough exterior who has likely been hurt before. The final verses circle back to Texas radio, describing it as soft, driven, slow, and mad. The description of the Western dream and the wandering it entails underscores how the human condition is one of constant longing and searching, and that radio and music can be a salve for this.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to tell you 'bout Texas radio and the big beat
Let me tell you about a radio station in Texas that plays music with a strong rhythm
Comes out of the Virginia swamps
The music has a smooth and steady sound with a unique style that originated in Virginia
Cool and slow with plenty of precision
The music is not rushed and is played with great skill and accuracy
With a back beat narrow and hard to master
The rhythm has a tricky, difficult-to-master beat in the background that gives it its distinctive sound
Some call it heavenly in its brilliance
Some people think this music is so beautiful and perfect that it seems like it was made by angels
Others, mean and rueful of the Western dream
Other people are skeptical or cynical about the American dream and what it represents in this music
I love the friends I have gathered together on this thin raft
I feel a deep connection to the people I've met, and we have formed a close-knit community that is fragile but strong
We have constructed pyramids in honor of our escaping
We have built monuments to celebrate the fact that we have escaped the constraints of society and have found our own meaning and purpose
This is the land where the Pharaoh died
This is a place where the powerful have fallen, and we are free to create our own destiny
The Negroes in the forest brightly feathered
A group of African Americans who are adorned with beautiful feathers are dancing in the forest
They are saying, 'forget the night
They are encouraging us to let go of past pain and suffering
Live with us in forests of azure
Join us in a world of lush green forests and blue skies that represent freedom and possibility
Out here on the perimeter there are no stars
Living outside of society's norms can feel lonely and isolating
Out here we is stoned, immaculate
But despite the challenges, we are still able to find a sense of inner peace and perfection
Listen to this, and I'll tell you 'bout the heartache
The music will speak to you about deep emotional pain and suffering
I'll tell you 'bout the heartache and the loss of God
The music is about losing faith and feeling lost in the world
I'll tell you 'bout the hopeless night
The music will take you through a dark and hopeless time
The meager food for souls forgot
The things that nourish our spirits have been forgotten or ignored by society
I'll tell you 'bout the maiden with wrought iron soul
The music will introduce you to a woman with a strong will and a powerful spirit
I'll tell you this
Let me make this clear
No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn
We cannot count on any kind of divine reward for the things we have done, especially if we have squandered our time and potential
Now, listen to this, and I'll tell you 'bout the Texas
Pay attention to this music, and I'll tell you more about what makes it unique to Texas
I'll tell you 'bout the Texas radio
I'll give you a deeper understanding of the radio station and its place in Texas culture
Wandering the Western dream
Trying to find meaning and success in the American West
Tell you 'bout the maiden with wrought iron soul
I will describe the strength and resilience of a remarkable woman who withstands many challenges
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, James Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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