Sunday, March 13, 2005

Manfred Mann- Blinded by the Light

So after about an hour long discussion with a friend about what the lyrics of this song really are...I felt the need to blog on it because I had listened to it so many times. After much listening it becomes increasingly clear that the simple melody and lack of "sing along" factor lend itself to the words being the most important part of the song. BUT, if that was the focus, why are they so hard to understand? I even looked up the lyrics on a few lyrics websites and all of them had something different. WEIRD. So after much listening...Blinded by the light has BLOWN MY MIND!!!
Here are a few lyrical discrepancies I thought funny. After "Blinded by the light..." the words are really, "Revved up like a deuce another runner in the night." Here's what some people heard:
"Cut loose like a goose from the spirit of the night."
"Revved up like a dude, she ain't no rover in the night."
"Hopped-up like the Juice, another Roman in the right."
Just to name a few...And with a verse about an Indian with mumps how could there NOT be lyrical confusion. I think there was supposed to be a deep message here from Lyricist Bruce Springstien but I just can't find it. Any insight?

1 comment:

Scott said...

Check out Bruce Springsteen's America by Robert Coles. ML420 .S77 C65 2003 in the music library. I haven't read it, but it is supposed to dissect many of Springsteen's lyrics.