The Gardner
07/02/2010
I quite like this song by the Tallest Man on Earth. I normally don’t analyze songs like this, but the lyrics intrigued me so much and I listened to it so many times it just happened. I decided it is a song about paranoia, murder, and how that’s just what you gotta do sometimes.
| Lyrics | My interpretation |
|---|---|
| I sense a runner in the garden | A new guy is in the picture, very close (garden = backyard) |
| Although my judgments known to fail | Admits from the start he’s prone to bad judgement |
| Once built a steamboat in a meadow | He does crazy shit sometimes |
| ‘Cause I’d forgotten how to sail | And rationalizes it easily |
| I know the runner’s going to tell you | Paranoia creeps in |
| There ain’t no cowboy in my hair | This new guy is going to sabotage him |
| So now he’s buried by the daisies | MURDER |
| So I could stay the tallest man in your eyes, babe | Problem solved… |
| I sense a spy up in the chimney | Immediately, new guy in the picture again |
| From all the evidence I’ve burned | Paranoia creeps in |
| I guess he’ll read it in the smoke now | A bit of guilt |
| And soon to ashes I’ll return | Could be the end of him |
| I know the spy is going to tell you | Paranoia |
| It’s not my flag up in the pole | Sabatoge |
| So now he’s buried by the lilies | MURDER |
| So I could stay forever more in your eyes, babe | Problem solved… |
| I sense a leak inside my phone now | Worst paranoia of all: “big brother” |
| From all the lies I have told | Some awareness he is flawed… |
| I know he has your private number | But still very paranoid |
| And soon he’ll make that vicious call | Sabatoge |
| I know the leak is going to tell you | Paranoia |
| There ain’t now puppy in your leash | Sabatoge |
| So now he’ll fertilize the roses | MURDER |
| So I could stay the king you see in your eyes, babe | Problem solved… |
| And now we’re dancing through the garden | Happiness has returned |
| And what a garden I have made | Awareness of past activities |
| And now that death will grow my jasmine | |
| I find it soothing I’m afraid | He’s proud of it |
| Now there is no need for suspicion | Interesting double-play on suspicion. Who should be suspicious, him or her? |
| There ain’t no frog kissing your hand | No intruders left |
| I won’t be lying when I tell you | Confidence |
| That I’m a gardner I’m a man in your eyes, babe | I guess sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do |
The La Blogotheque video is pretty awesome too:
I really like how you dissected this song. I have to thank you Chris for showing me another great musician. I was also impressed with the music of Chris McGarry and listen to his music on a daily basis after I visited your CSS-Tricks post about his site walk-through. Again, thank you.
Man, it’s awesome! This version made my laugh a lot but it seems pretty much to be truth. Actually I was roaming around up to find some CSS stuff, but I enjoy The Tallest Man on Earth, so this post intrigued me, and then I listened to the song reading your comments like subtitles and finally I believed that’s what he means.
Very cool song, musician and video! Thanks for another lead to another great artist. Another favorite that that you introduced on CSS-Tricks is Boulder Acoustic Society… And of course the great web-based music player, grooveshark.com
Thanks a Million!