Bakersfield
Vic Chesnutt Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well the souvenirs
On my dusty shelf
Well I get out the Tarn-X,
And I polish them myself
Yes, posters are falling,
But who needs them at my age?
Well I've learned to smile,
When all I feel is rage

So I think I will go to Bakersfield
With Gabriel and Paul
And I will hide behind the garbage cans
While the holy platitudes fall
And blow the gates,
I am coming through
With my albatrosses and all

And it's strategy not protocol




Yes, it's strategy, not protocol,
That brings me here.

Overall Meaning

In the opening lines of Vic Chesnutt's song Bakersfield, he speaks of the souvenirs on his dusty shelf that he polishes himself with Tarn-X. The souvenirs could represent memories, and his polishing them could be interpreted as reflecting on his past experiences. He remarks that posters are falling, but at his age, who needs them? This could be a reflection on how he is growing older and becoming less concerned with worldly possessions or material things. Additionally, Chesnutt mentions that he has learned to smile when all he feels is rage, suggesting that he has learned to put on a front or appear happy despite feeling angry or upset.


In the chorus, he sings about going to Bakersfield with Gabriel and Paul and hiding behind garbage cans while "holy platitudes" fall. This could represent a desire to retreat from society and escape the pressures of daily life. However, he also expresses a need to break free and overcome the obstacles he faces with his "albatrosses and all." Chesnutt notes that it's strategy, not protocol, that brings him to Bakersfield, suggesting that this is not a conventional decision but rather a more calculated move.


Line by Line Meaning

Well the souvenirs
These sentimental items on my dusty shelf


On my dusty shelf
Collecting dust, unused and forgotten


Well I get out the Tarn-X,
I clean them up myself with Tarn-X solvents


And I polish them myself
I take care of them myself, with dedication


Yes, posters are falling,
The posters on my wall are falling apart


But who needs them at my age?
They have lost their significance to me since I have aged


Well I've learned to smile,
I smile even though I feel angry


When all I feel is rage
I feel only anger but I mask it with a smile


So I think I will go to Bakersfield
I plan to visit Bakersfield


With Gabriel and Paul
Accompanied by Gabriel and Paul


And I will hide behind the garbage cans
I plan to seclude behind the trash cans


While the holy platitudes fall
To avoid being hit by religious cliches


And blow the gates,
And I'll breach the entryway


I am coming through
I'm making my way through


With my albatrosses and all
Carrying all my difficulties with me


And it's strategy not protocol
My actions are motivated by strategy, not obligation


Yes, it's strategy, not protocol,
The reason for my actions is a tactical plan, not mandatory procedure


That brings me here.
Thus, I end up here




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VIC CHESNUTT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions