Mallrat lyrics.... Options

[swami]

This has probably been presented plenty of times, but (forgive me) I've been absent. Are these lyrics agreed upon?

His children register false names
His lovers play all these head games
And on his porch he has a swing
It's quiet, he can't hear a damn thing

We got a mallrat who is deaf in the kitchen, now
We got a jack-in-the-box
And in his twilight while he collects his pension
He's gonna raise us all up

His children don't have a needle
Just a city hall with a dome
Now, people love to see him on his back alone
Somebody please, somebody please take him home

We got a mallrat who is deaf in the kitchen, now
We got a jack-in-the-box
And in his twilight while he collects his pension
He's gonna raise us all up

We got a mallrat who is deaf in the hallway
We got a jack-in-the-box
And in his twilight while he collects his pension
He's gonna raise us all up

This post has been edited by swami: Feb 28 2017, 8:11 pm

[alexou]

With Susquehanna, my favorite b-side. Thanks!

[andymbj]

Pretty sure it's 'collects' his pension, not 'corrects'.

[swami]

Pretty sure it's 'collects' his pension, not 'corrects'.

Agreed. That makes a lot more sense. Edited my post to reflect that.

[dangum]

I posted my transcription of the lyrics a few years ago. It's been a while since I've revisited them though so they could be wrong. You can see them here:

Mall Rat lyrics

[Bremang]

His children don't have a needle

This line is tough to figure out. The word "children" is 100% completely different on the earlier live version. Even in the Churchbox version, it seems pretty clear that he doesn't say children.

I wonder if Ed is referring to a brand or type of vintage sewing machine, or phonograph that doesn't have a needle, and therefore doesn't play sound...in line with the whole quiet/deaf theme. Who knows, someone ask Ed.

This post has been edited by Bremang: Mar 1 2017, 3:14 am

[swami]

This line is tough to figure out. The word "children" is 100% completely different on the earlier live version. Even in the Churchbox version, it seems pretty clear that he doesn't say children.

I wonder if Ed is referring to a brand or type of vintage sewing machine, or phonograph that doesn't have a needle, and therefore doesn't play sound...in line with the whole quiet/deaf theme. Who knows, someone ask Ed.

I agree, I think "children" is wrong here. I'm wondering if he's referring to a church here. "Don't have a needle" could mean there's no place of worship (needle-shaped roof), because he goes right into "just a city hall with a dome"...another building with a very dissimilar roof shape. He's clearly not saying "church" at all, but I think he's referencing one.

[throwing_cheetahs]

I'm pretty sure Ed says this:

It's chilly don't have a needle
Just a city hall with a dome light

I think he is referencing a junkie going through withdrawals here.

[Bremang]

I'm pretty sure Ed says this:

It's chilly don't have a needle
Just a city hall with a dome light

I think he is referencing a junkie going through withdrawals here.

Check out the earlier live version too, wonder what you think he says opposed to chilly there

[Bremang]

I agree, I think "children" is wrong here. I'm wondering if he's referring to a church here. "Don't have a needle" could mean there's no place of worship (needle-shaped roof), because he goes right into "just a city hall with a dome"...another building with a very dissimilar roof shape. He's clearly not saying "church" at all, but I think he's referencing one.

interesting take.

[throwing_cheetahs]

Check out the earlier live version too, wonder what you think he says opposed to chilly there

In the live version i think he says:

the city don't have a needle
just a city hall with a dome

This post has been edited by throwing_cheetahs: Mar 3 2017, 6:33 am

[SoL]

I always thought it was This jury...don't have a needle as in no death penalty

[throwing_cheetahs]

I always thought it was This jury...don't have a needle as in no death penalty

I can see that for sure, could very well be what he says, and it makes sense.