One additional clue for you, Ron, is that it was written long before DJRD was
released. It was "part 2" of Coyote from Hejira. It didn't fit the pattern of the
album so she relegated it to her next release, which was of course DJRD.
Maybe give Coyote a listen first and then play DJRD right after. It yields some
interesting connections. Also, surf the net for some reviews of the album - there may
be some additional analysis out there.
One of the most baffling lines to me is:
"But didn't I see a neon sign fester on your hotel blind
And a country road come off the wall
And swoop down on the crowd at the bar
And put me at the top of your danger list
Just for being so much like you are."
Now that's a head scratcher. Obviously it's some small little detail of Joni's
observations that has been broadened to encompass a more universal theme. I've thought
that maybe the "country road on the wall" was a painting whose allure is so
captivating to the crowd at the bar that they wish they could travel it - that
yearning to travel that Joni examined so intensely during the '76/'77 period.
I don't know. It's a wonderful song to discuss!
-Andrew
ron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:hi >>>>>andrew wrote: >>>>>The crux of the song
hinges on this line, I think: "The eagle and the serpent are at war in me/The serpent
fighting or blind desire, the eagle for clarity." thanks. i must admit im only
familiar with the name "carlos castaneda" and with the fact that he is/was(??) a
writer. i do get the line quoted above which just kinda jumps out of the whole song
the balance and continual struggle between clear rational thought, and blind
unreasoning passion and desire. a balance and struggle which i believe joni handles
abnormally well, with her ability to capture and summarise emotions and passions in a
crisp, concise way , enabling people who "get" her music to understand themselves, and
others better. >>>>>This song works best on a subconscious level, I find. so
true. i absolutely love this song. but hardly understand anything about it other than
the line above. the eagle and the serpent fighting in the individua!
l, fighting in the culture. appearing in strange, & unexpected places. a basic
attribute of mankind, driving him without him being at all aware of it. ive been
spending quite a bit of time today reading & re reading the lyrics, & listening &
relistening to the song. does anyone know anything about the writing process of this
song? it comes across to me as a powerful stream of consciousness writing pouring out
of the depths of her heart, rather than a long slow deliberate exercise. get a grip on
this song & you get a grip on joni. obviously no easy task :-) ron
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