the last time I saw richard was detroit in '68 and he told me
all romantics meet the same fate someday
cynical and drunk and boring someone in some dark cafe
you laugh, he said, you think you're immune
go look at your eyes, they're full of moon
you like roses and kisses and pretty men to tell you
all those pretty lies, pretty lies
when you gonna realize they're only pretty lies
only pretty lies
just pretty lies
he put a quarter in the wurlitzer
and he pushed three buttons and the thing began to whirr
and a bar maid came by in fishnet stockings and a bow tie
and she said "drink up now it's gettin' on time to close."
richard, you haven't really changed, i said
it's just that now you're romanticizing some pain that's in your head
you got tombs in your eyes, but the songs you punched are dreamy
listen, they sing of love so sweet, love so sweet
when you gonna get yourself back on your feet?
oh love can be so sweet,
love so sweet
richard got married to a figure skater
and he bought her a dishwasher
and a coffee percolater
and he drinks at home now most nights with the tv on
and all the house lights left up bright
i'm gonna blow this damn candle out
i don't want nobody comin' over to my table
i got nothin' to talk to anybody about
all good dreamers pass this way someday
hidin' behind bottles in dark cafes
dark cafes
only a dark cocoon before I get my gorgeous wings
and fly away
only a phase
these dark cafe days...
Ah. Joni chose a hard, wild ride, I think. So many of us just have to take what we get- she had choices. So very few ever understand.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEJuiZN3jI8
ReplyDelete2 hours! Yike. Just back from travels; massive catchup stuff; but I've got it marked for when I can. Or if there's a specific spot - you could tell me the time location-
DeleteNothing earthshaking, just further proof that all of us have our story to tell. Maybe bookmark it for when you have to take a sick day and are too crabby to flip through channels.
ReplyDelete:)