OT: Meaning Of "Downtown Train" -- An Allusion To 1950s Brooklyn?

[unknown]

Or more like 1961 and you can picture this mop-haired kid, pack of
smokes rolled-up in the T-shirt sleeve, slipping thru the kitchen
window and down the fire escape anticipating riding the subways with
his honey. And then there's the reference to the bouffant
"bubble-headed," (as we called them down here), chewing-gum-popping,
sassy-mouthed girls with the New Yawk accents. There's even the
allusion to the street carnivals of them there days.

Not sure I understand what he's saying about the smart-mouthed
Brooklyn girls scattering like crows or why he's dissing them as
thorns, and I don't have a clue about the heart attacks, unless he's
referring to his honey's other would-be suitors, but it's still one
helluva song that smacks of the past.
__________________
Outside another yellow moon
punched a hole in the nighttime, yes
I climb through the window and down the street
shining like a new dime
the downtown trains are full with all those Brooklyn girls
they try so hard to break out of their little worlds

You wave your hand and they scatter like crows
they have nothing that will ever capture your heart
theyr'e just thorns without the rose
be careful of them in the dark
oh if I was the one
you chose to be your only one
oh baby can't you hear me now

Chorus

Will I see you tonight
on a downtown train
every night is just the same
you leave me lonely now

I know your window and I know it's late
I know your stairs and your doorway
I walk down your street and past your gate
I stand by the light at the four way
you watch them as they fall
they all have heart attacks
they stay at the carnival
but they'll never win you back

Chorus

Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
where every night is just the same you leave me lonely
will I see you tonight on a downtown train
all of my dreams just fall like rain
all upon a downtown train

[BobbyM]

Post by unknown
Or more like 1961 and you can picture this mop-haired kid, pack of
smokes rolled-up in the T-shirt sleeve, slipping thru the kitchen
window and down the fire escape anticipating riding the subways with
his honey. And then there's the reference to the bouffant
"bubble-headed," (as we called them down here), chewing-gum-popping,
sassy-mouthed girls with the New Yawk accents. There's even the
allusion to the street carnivals of them there days.
Not sure I understand what he's saying about the smart-mouthed
Brooklyn girls scattering like crows or why he's dissing them as
thorns, and I don't have a clue about the heart attacks, unless he's
referring to his honey's other would-be suitors, but it's still one
helluva song that smacks of the past.

I hope you're not referring to the Rod Stewart version; Tom Waits' original
is light years above it.

I don't believe he's talking about the Brooklyn girls in the 2d or later
verses; he's talking about guys. The guys are the thorns to her rose and
her beauty causes them swoon (have heart attacks).

Post by unknown
__________________
Outside another yellow moon
punched a hole in the nighttime, yes
I climb through the window and down the street
shining like a new dime
the downtown trains are full with all those Brooklyn girls
they try so hard to break out of their little worlds
You wave your hand and they scatter like crows
they have nothing that will ever capture your heart
theyr'e just thorns without the rose
be careful of them in the dark
oh if I was the one
you chose to be your only one
oh baby can't you hear me now
Chorus
Will I see you tonight
on a downtown train
every night is just the same
you leave me lonely now
I know your window and I know it's late
I know your stairs and your doorway
I walk down your street and past your gate
I stand by the light at the four way
you watch them as they fall
they all have heart attacks
they stay at the carnival
but they'll never win you back
Chorus
Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
where every night is just the same you leave me lonely
will I see you tonight on a downtown train
all of my dreams just fall like rain
all upon a downtown train
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

[DianeE]

Post by BobbyM

Post by unknown
Or more like 1961 and you can picture this mop-haired kid, pack of
smokes rolled-up in the T-shirt sleeve, slipping thru the kitchen
window and down the fire escape anticipating riding the subways with
his honey. And then there's the reference to the bouffant
"bubble-headed," (as we called them down here), chewing-gum-popping,
sassy-mouthed girls with the New Yawk accents. There's even the
allusion to the street carnivals of them there days.
Not sure I understand what he's saying about the smart-mouthed
Brooklyn girls scattering like crows or why he's dissing them as
thorns, and I don't have a clue about the heart attacks, unless he's
referring to his honey's other would-be suitors, but it's still one
helluva song that smacks of the past.

I hope you're not referring to the Rod Stewart version; Tom Waits' original
is light years above it.

--------------
Patty Smyth!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW, far as I can tell I'm the only old Brooklyn girl here, and that line
about trying so hard to break out of our little worlds always struck me as
obnoxiously condescending. OTOH, I'm about the only one from my high school
class--from my family, too, for that matter--who even stayed in NYC, so
perhaps there's some truth to it.
DianeE

[unknown]

On Wed, 13 Dec 2006 12:34:21 +0900, "BobbyM"

Post by BobbyM
I hope you're not referring to the Rod Stewart version; Tom Waits' original
is light years above it.

The original must really be Somethin' Else, cuz Rod really kicks ass
on it.

Post by BobbyM
I don't believe he's talking about the Brooklyn girls in the 2d or later
verses; he's talking about guys. The guys are the thorns to her rose and
her beauty causes them swoon (have heart attacks).

That makes more sense than my interpretation, but I still don't
understand the song 100%.

T'anks.

[BobbyM]

Post by unknown
On Wed, 13 Dec 2006 12:34:21 +0900, "BobbyM"

Post by BobbyM
I hope you're not referring to the Rod Stewart version; Tom Waits' original
is light years above it.

The original must really be Somethin' Else, cuz Rod really kicks ass
on it.

Post by BobbyM
I don't believe he's talking about the Brooklyn girls in the 2d or later
verses; he's talking about guys. The guys are the thorns to her rose and
her beauty causes them swoon (have heart attacks).

That makes more sense than my interpretation, but I still don't
understand the song 100%.

Don't know that you can ever understand a Waits' song 100%. Simple
explanation of the song: it's a one-sided love affair. He's infatuated
with a girl (apparently older than him) he first saw on a downtown train;
he's probably never even spoken to her, only seen her from a distance.