Maxine
noredirect/The Traveling Wilburys Lyrics
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It was late in the mornin' of November
She was loading up the wagon in the rain
She said she'd be back in the morning
But she never came through here again
I'd see her in the market
These days the market's an old parking lot
And she never came through here again
Maxine, Maxine, Maxine, Maxine
Time plays tricks on your memory
It's been a long weekend
She said she'd be back here by Monday
But never came through here again
Some say a saucer landed
And someone took her in
They found her blue cigarette here on the ground
And she never came through here again
Maxine, Maxine, Maxine, Maxine
I bought a tabloid paper
She was rumored to be in
Was a photo of a woman on a llama
But she never came through here again
And if you should see her
She may be old by then
Tell her that I miss her and you can ask her when
She's ever coming through here again
Maxine, Maxine, Maxine, Maxine
(Ok, that's it)
The Traveling Wilburys' song "Maxine" talks about a woman named Maxine who disappeared one day and never returned. The song is a tribute to the mystery of her disappearance and the impact it had on those who knew her. The opening lines of "One, two, three, four, five, six" signify a counting off of time, as if the singer is marking the days that have passed since Maxine disappeared.
The lyrics suggest that Maxine was a struggling woman who never had much money, but she was a familiar figure in the market. The market has since been replaced by a parking lot, which further emphasizes the passing of time. The song plays with the idea of time and memory as the singer ponders the possibility of Maxine returning and wonders if he will recognize her if she does.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of UFO sightings and how some people believe that Maxine might have been taken by aliens. The reference to a tabloid paper and a photo of a woman on a llama adds a sense of humor to the song, but also highlights how rumors can quickly spread and become distorted over time.
Overall, "Maxine" is a wistful and nostalgic song that reflects on the passage of time, the fleeting nature of memory, and the mysteries of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
It was late in the mornin' of November
The scene takes place in a rainy November morning.
She was loading up the wagon in the rain
Maxine was loading a wagon, getting ready to leave while it was raining.
She said she'd be back in the morning
Maxine promised to come back in the morning.
But she never came through here again
Maxine never returned and was never seen again.
I'd see her in the market
The artist used to see Maxine in the market.
She never had much to spend
Maxine never had a lot of money to spend in the market.
These days the market's an old parking lot
The market is no longer there and has been replaced by a parking lot.
Maxine, Maxine, Maxine, Maxine
The repetition of Maxine's name emphasizes the artist's longing for her return.
Time plays tricks on your memory
Time can distort people's memories.
It's been a long weekend
The artist has been waiting for Maxine for a long time.
She said she'd be back here by Monday
Maxine promised to be back on Monday.
But never came through here again
Maxine never returned after saying she would.
Some say a saucer landed
There are rumors that a UFO landed and took Maxine.
And someone took her in
The UFO took Maxine away.
They found her blue cigarette here on the ground
Maxine's cigarette was found on the ground, suggesting that something happened to her.
Maxine, Maxine, Maxine, Maxine
The repetition of Maxine's name emphasizes the artist's longing for her return.
I bought a tabloid paper
The artist bought a sensationalized newspaper.
She was rumored to be in
Maxine was rumored to be in the paper.
Was a photo of a woman on a llama
The paper had a picture of a woman on a llama, but it was not Maxine.
But she never came through here again
Maxine never returned after being rumored to be in the paper.
And if you should see her
The artist addresses the listener, asking them to keep an eye out for Maxine.
She may be old by then
Maxine may have aged if and when she returns.
Tell her that I miss her and you can ask her when
The singer wants the listener to tell Maxine that they miss her and ask her when she'll come back.
Maxine, Maxine, Maxine, Maxine
The repetition of Maxine's name emphasizes the artist's longing for her return.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty
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