(Oh yeah, and the title reminds me of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" where the wallpaper makes the main character crazy.) my feet are not used to this hard concrete = he's used to a padded room (like in a mental institution) eyes not accustomed to this light = always dark where he's at last night I put on tails, pretended I was on the town = living in a fantasy world deck of 51 = not playing with a full deck playing solitaire till dawn = alone by himself and not sleeping counting flowers the wall = bored and obsessive Overall it's a masterclass in songwriting. This routine is the only coping mechanism he knows and over time it has become normal to him. I used to think this song was about a person who didn't realize he was crazy, but the older I get the more I think he just doesn't know how to be okay anymore. But then the chorus kicks in with that ominous drum as he tells you exactly what he does by himself, hinting that something is not quite right. The tune reflects his inner turmoil: the verses are all very chipper and upbeat, with the singer telling you how great he is. People keep trying to get him out in the real world and he resists. He has secluded himself in his dark room and his life boils down to insomnia, watching children's programs, smoking, and playing solitaire, but he's obviously not playing with a full deck ("deck of 51"). So I must go back to my room and make my day complete It's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a frightĪnyway my eyes are not accustomed to this lightĪnd my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete You can always find me here, I'm havin' quite a time So please don't give a thought to me, I'm really doin' fine Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the townĪs long as I can dream it's hard to slow this swinger down Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one While you 'n' your friends are worried about me I'm havin' lots of fun ![]() If I was walkin' in your shoes, I wouldn't worry none ![]() It sounds to me like a temporary period of self-imposed hermit behavior after a break-up, but in time, he will probably get over her and move on.I keep hearin' you're concerned about my happinessīut all that thought you're givin' me is conscience I guess He admits he looks a fright, but he's happy with his nightly routine of being by himself and doing what he wants. Then he says it’ s good to see her, but he has to go because he used to being in his dark room (most likely a small apartment) where he usually doesn't wear his shoes to go outside much. He also tells her that by pretending, he can imagine he's out on the town having a great time so he doesn't want her sympathy. He smokes cigarettes and watches a kids tv show - it’ s something to do. Playing solitaire over and over when he can't win because he's missing a card, and yet this is still entertainment to him. He spends his nights in his room staring at the walls, counting flowers (probably a design in the wall paper). He says for her and her friends not to worry about him become he is content (either truthfully or that's what he wants her to believe) with the way he occupies his time. She expresses her concern for his happiness since they parted, and he implies that she is not really concerned about him, but this is just her "conscience" that's bothering her. I would say that the lyrics tell of a man who has run into his former girlfriend (or ex-wife) by chance. I wouldn't say that this song is figurative or be so melodramatic as to say he is depressed or in denial. So I must go back to my room and make my day completeĬourtesy of Mercury/Nashville by arrangement with It's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a frightĪnyway, my eyes are not accustomed to this lightĪnd my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete You can always find me here and havin' quite a time ![]() ![]() Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' "Captain Kangaroo" Playin' solitaire 'til dawn, with a deck of fifty-one While you and your friends are worryin' 'bout me, I'm havin' lots of funĬountin' flowers on the wall, that don't bother me at all If I were walkin' in your shoes, I wouldn't worry none I keep hearin' you're concerned about my happinessīut all that thought you've given me is conscience I guess
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