Ballad Of A Thin Man
Willard Grant Conspiracy Lyrics
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With your pencil in your hand
You see somebody naked
And you say, "Who is that man?"
You try so hard
But you don't understand
Just what you'll say
When you get home
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
You raise up your head
And you ask, "Is this where it is?"
And somebody points to you and says
"It's his"
And you say, "What's mine?"
And somebody else says, "Where what is?"
And you say, "Oh my God
Am I here all alone?"
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
You hand in your ticket
And you go watch the geek
Who immediately walks up to you
When he hears you speak
And says, "How does it feel
To be such a freak?"
And you say, "Impossible"
As he hands you a bone
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
You have many contacts
Among the lumberjacks
To get you facts
When someone attacks your imagination
But nobody has any respect
Anyway they already expect you
To just give a check
To tax-deductible charity organizations
You've been with the professors
And they've all liked your looks
With great lawyers you have
Discussed lepers and crooks
You've been through all of
F. Scott Fitzgerald's books
You're very well read
It's well known
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
Well, the sword swallower, he comes up to you
And then he kneels
He crosses himself
And then he clicks his high heels
And without further notice
He asks you how it feels
And he says, "Here is your throat back
Thanks for the loan"
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
Now you see this one-eyed midget
Shouting the word "NOW"
And you say, "For what reason?"
And he says, "How?"
And you say, "What does this mean?"
And he screams back, "You're a cow
Give me some milk
Or else go home"
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
Well, you walk into the room
Like a camel and then you frown
You put your eyes in your pocket
And your nose on the ground
There ought to be a law
Against you comin' around
You should be made
To wear earphones
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
The lyrics of Willard Grant Conspiracy's song Ballad of A Thin Man are a commentary on the social unrest and cultural changes happening during the 60s, when people were questioning authority and conformity. The singer of the song is Mr. Jones, who walks into a room with his pencil in hand to find something strange and unfamiliar: a naked man. He tries to make sense of what he sees, but he can't seem to understand the situation. He then realizes that something is happening, but he can't comprehend what it is.
As the song progresses, we see Mr. Jones struggling to fit into a world that is rapidly changing around him. He is questioned by the people he meets and is unable to answer their queries. Mr. Jones represents a generation that is out of touch with the changing times, and he struggles to adapt to these new circumstances. The song is a reminder that we should try to understand the world around us and adapt to change, rather than resist it.
Overall, Ballad of A Thin Man is a powerful social commentary on the changing times and the need for people to keep up with these changes. The lyrics are deep and thought-provoking, and they continue to resonate with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
You walk into the room
You enter a space.
With your pencil in your hand
Holding an instrument to document events.
You see somebody naked
You witness someone exposed.
And you say, "Who is that man?"
You ask for the identity of the person you saw.
You try so hard
You make an effort.
But you don't understand
However, you lack comprehension.
Just what you'll say
How you will react verbally.
When you get home
Upon returning to your usual residence.
Because something is happening here
Because events are transpiring.
But you don't know what it is
Yet, you remain unaware of their significance.
Do you, Mister Jones?
You address someone named 'Mister Jones'.
You raise up your head
You lift up your chin.
And you ask, "Is this where it is?"
You question if this is the location you desire.
And somebody points to you and says
Another person gestures towards you to respond.
"It's his"
They inform you that it belongs to you.
And you say, "What's mine?"
You inquire about the item's ownership.
And somebody else says, "Where what is?"
Someone else asks for further information.
And you say, "Oh my God
You exclaim in surprise.
Am I here all alone?"
You question if you are alone.
You hand in your ticket
You submit an entrance document.
And you go watch the geek
You observe a performance by someone viewed as an oddity.
Who immediately walks up to you
They quickly approach you directly.
When he hears you speak
Once they overhear you talking.
And says, "How does it feel
They inquire about your emotional state.
To be such a freak?"
Referring to the act of being different from the norm.
And you say, "Impossible"
You declare it to be inconceivable.
As he hands you a bone
They provide you with a small reward.
You have many contacts
You possess various acquaintances.
Among the lumberjacks
In the same social circle as woodcutters.
To get you facts
In order to provide you with information.
When someone attacks your imagination
If another person criticizes or questions your creativity.
But nobody has any respect
Yet, no one treats you with admiration.
Anyway they already expect you
People anticipate your behavior.
To just give a check
To donate a sum of money.
To tax-deductible charity organizations
To non-profit groups that reduce income tax liability.
You've been with the professors
You have associated with educators.
And they've all liked your looks
They have all admired your appearance.
With great lawyers you have
You have engaged the services of accomplished attorneys.
Discussed lepers and crooks
Discussed issues relating to outcasts and criminals.
You've been through all of
You have studied all of.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's books
The published works of an American author of the 1920s.
You're very well read
You are knowledgeable regarding literature.
It's well known
Information everyone knows.
Well, the sword swallower, he comes up to you
A person trained in the art of swallowing swords approaches you.
And then he kneels
They lower themselves to the ground.
He crosses himself
They make a religious gesture.
And then he clicks his high heels
They quickly tap their shoes together.
And without further notice
And without any further indication.
He asks you how it feels
They question how you are feeling.
And he says, "Here is your throat back
And then offer the former object of their performance back to you.
Thanks for the loan"
Grateful for your temporary provision.
Now you see this one-eyed midget
You observe a diminutive person with only one eye.
Shouting the word "NOW"
Yelling the adverb 'now'.
And you say, "For what reason?"
You question their motivation.
And he says, "How?"
Replying with a different adverb than he previously shouted.
And you say, "What does this mean?"
You seek to comprehend their actions.
And he screams back, "You're a cow
They return the question with an insult.
Give me some milk
Demanding nourishment.
Or else go home"
Warning that to refuse their demand will have negative consequences.
Well, you walk into the room
Again, you enter a space.
Like a camel and then you frown
Comparing your gait to that of a particular animal.
You put your eyes in your pocket
Using a simile to describe where you place your gaze.
And your nose on the ground
Using another simile to describe your appearance and mood.
There ought to be a law
Voicing a personal opinion that a regulation is necessary.
Against you comin' around
Preventing you from visiting this location.
You should be made
You should receive punishment.
To wear earphones
Wearing devices that prevent external sounds from penetrating your ears.
Because something is happening here
Repeating the earlier phrase.
But you don't know what it is
Again, acknowledging your ignorance of the events occurring.
Do you, Mister Jones?
Repeating the earlier mention of 'Mister Jones'.
Contributed by Parker P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.