To me, this is the quintessential American pop song. It's so American -- the specificity of detail (Green Mill, Magic Mart, reference to "Jefferson" who could either be Jefferson Holt or T. Jefferson -- doesn't matter either way), the longing for home (this, after all, being a song about life on the road), the confusion and suspicion over the powers that be. Fantastic Stipe lyrics, get Buck riffs, Berry on drums, Mills on bass and backup. Doesn't get any better.
I think that 'Jefferson, I think we're lost' was a reference to Jefferson Holt's driving, which would often take the tour van off into strange places. But Michael doesn't sing 'Jefferson' anymore, partly due to the bitter split between the band and Holt in 1996, which neither are legally allowed to discuss.
Oh, man. You're right. I've never noticed that -- the album version's always the one in my mind. I think he replaces Jefferson with Washington, right? So, he took care of eliminating Jefferson (Holt) w/o doing away with the theme of calling on an American founder. Kinda cool.
He's not saying Green Mill. He's saying Greenville. Another Greenville, another Magic Mart. Reference to all the Greenvilles throughout the southeast US
Was there for the 2 nights, absolutely amazing. Managed to hear the soundcheck and meet Mills and Buck. New songs are great. Like the fact they are putting 200 tickets on sale every day at 4pm to get rid of ticket touts, REM rule.
Love them and this song, but changing Jefferson to Washington is lame no matter what Holt did.
pb2638 4 years ago
To me, this is the quintessential American pop song. It's so American -- the specificity of detail (Green Mill, Magic Mart, reference to "Jefferson" who could either be Jefferson Holt or T. Jefferson -- doesn't matter either way), the longing for home (this, after all, being a song about life on the road), the confusion and suspicion over the powers that be. Fantastic Stipe lyrics, get Buck riffs, Berry on drums, Mills on bass and backup. Doesn't get any better.
jayantani 4 years ago
I think that 'Jefferson, I think we're lost' was a reference to Jefferson Holt's driving, which would often take the tour van off into strange places. But Michael doesn't sing 'Jefferson' anymore, partly due to the bitter split between the band and Holt in 1996, which neither are legally allowed to discuss.
MickeyFerry 4 years ago
Oh, man. You're right. I've never noticed that -- the album version's always the one in my mind. I think he replaces Jefferson with Washington, right? So, he took care of eliminating Jefferson (Holt) w/o doing away with the theme of calling on an American founder. Kinda cool.
jayantani 4 years ago
He's not saying Green Mill. He's saying Greenville. Another Greenville, another Magic Mart. Reference to all the Greenvilles throughout the southeast US
tracyam 4 years ago
Thanks!!! This is what happens when you're only listening to Michael's lyrics rather than looking them up!
jayantani 4 years ago
Was there for the 2 nights, absolutely amazing. Managed to hear the soundcheck and meet Mills and Buck. New songs are great. Like the fact they are putting 200 tickets on sale every day at 4pm to get rid of ticket touts, REM rule.
beatlesmad 4 years ago
Please post more!
EclipseNT 4 years ago