This was taken from VH1.com
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/tugboat_annie/bio.jhtml
Helen of Troy
Tugboat Annie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You wouldn't want to have it on your own
You wouldn't want to keep it if you found out it's
Empty under the feathers somehow
I know what you're waiting for
We'll drive away in your car
I'll be bukowski you'll be helen of troy
No way
I couldn't give the calendar to you
I couldn't cover up the walls of our house with
Touched-up
Pictures of what we have to do
I know what you're waiting for
We'll drive away in your car
In the nighttime pacific shore
I'll be bukowski you'll be helen of troy
In Tugboat Annie's song "Helen Of Troy," the lyrics express a sense of reluctance towards committing to something, be it a relationship or an idea. The line "No way / You wouldn't want to have it on your own / You wouldn't want to keep it if you found out it's / Empty under the feathers somehow" suggests that the singer thinks that the other person would abandon their commitment if it didn't live up to their expectations. They go on to describe a scenario where they would run away together to the "nighttime pacific shore," cast in the roles of Charles Bukowski and Helen of Troy, respectively. However, the repeated line "I know what you're waiting for" could be interpreted as a passive-aggressive attempt to push the other person into making a decision, despite their stated reluctance.
The second verse continues with this theme of hesitation, as the singer says they "couldn't give the calendar" or "cover up the walls of our house with touched-up pictures." This could be interpreted as a refusal to commit to planning their future together, or an unwillingness to make their relationship seem more perfect than it actually is. However, the chorus remains the same, with the suggestion that they will still run away together, even if they're unsure of what the future holds.
Line by Line Meaning
No way
Absolutely not, that is not possible or acceptable
You wouldn't want to have it on your own
You would not desire to possess it alone
You wouldn't want to keep it if you found out it's Empty under the feathers somehow
If you were to discover that it is hollow beneath the exterior, you would not want to retain it in your possession
I know what you're waiting for
I am aware of what you are anticipating
We'll drive away in your car
We will depart in your vehicle
In the nighttime pacific shore
We will travel by night to the Pacific coastline
I'll be bukowski you'll be helen of troy
I will take on the persona of Bukowski, while you embody the role of Helen of Troy
No way
Definitely not, that is out of the question
I couldn't give the calendar to you
It is not possible for me to give you the calendar
I couldn't cover up the walls of our house with Touched-up Pictures of what we have to do
It is not feasible for me to adorn our dwelling with edited images of our responsibilities
I know what you're waiting for
I am cognizant of what you are anticipating
We'll drive away in your car
We will exit in your automobile
In the nighttime pacific shore
We will travel by night to the Pacific coastline
I'll be bukowski you'll be helen of troy
I will assume the identity of Bukowski, while you take on the role of Helen of Troy
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AResoundingYes
Way cool. I'm glad I'm not the only one who still remembers this stellar little indie pop band. They deserved more recognition than they got.
@NevrSilent
God, I miss this band....
@lizbreen3755
Thank you for posting.. I have loved them forever.
@NevrSilent
Does anyone know what ever happened to Mike Bethmann? All the other guys in TA went on to other stuph, but Mike simply seemed to vanish. Absolute shame; such a gifted songwriter.
@TheMarkcu24
I have all their CDs and I don't know that song at all. I think you're mistaken.