My unasked for and half-formed The Boys of Dungeon Lane thoughts because I gotta put them somewhere
As You Lie There is way more about the idea of existing in another person’s thoughts than it is about any particular person or situation, which makes it so funny to me that it’s the only song Paul went out of his way to give a heterosexual explanation for. Maybe because if he had just let the spoken word opening alone people would immediately connect it to documented John stalking behavior and John’s really big bedroom window looking right out onto the sidewalk. Yeah this song is about John, definitely chip shop, ‘saw him on the bus’ era but also the post breakup, ‘does he still like me, does he still think about me?’ mindset. It’s also a bop, in my opinion.
Lost Horizon is 100000% about John. The possibility of their future together, the sense memories that bring him back to life, particularly the early years together. I think this song, along with Days We Left Behind, seems most about the early days of their relationship, but this one is more about the possibility of their life together when it was just beginning, ‘the promise’ *ahem* marriage, and what it might have been. I loved it and I’m not okay.
Days We Left Behind holy shit I’ve been screaming about this song since it dropped. But oh my god I can’t believe he said that they are soulmates and they literally got married.
Ripples in a Pond is very interesting considering Paul has disclosed that it’s about Nancy, and I agree based on my first listen. But it sure is interesting in that context. It’s essentially, ‘thank you for tolerating my never ending gay heartbreak, thank you for agreeing to share your marriage with John and Linda, can’t believe you’re okay with that’ I do think their relationship is really good, but it’s surprising to see Paul being so public about how much of a toll all his baggage could take on a relationship.
Mountain Top is definitely about the Emperor of the Universe LSD night. ‘holy shit this experience is scary but also it’s making us into one being and consciousness which is what we always wanted’ vibes
Down South has me thinking thoughts, because the verses seem very much about George, but the chorus seems VERY much about blowjobs and butt sex, like very intentionally. And then the chorus referencing ‘twist and shout’ and ‘work it out’ points to John. So I genuinely don’t know if Paul is copping to doing gay shit with George when they were young, or if he’s making it about both George and his trip to Paris with John, or maybe Nerk Twins trip, or other journeys he hasn’t disclosed. I’m leaning towards he’s obfuscating on purpose to fuck with us, but I don’t know and it’s lowkey breaking my brain.
We Two is unquestionably, obviously, unabashedly a song about John. [literally it’s the only track styled in John’s handwriting on the album’s track list. Which makes me just.] I’m just. ‘Last night I dreamed of you.’ Fuuuuuuck my life, this is making me rip my hair out. I don’t have anything eloquent to say, other than I’m in PAIN. ‘We’re standing side by side.’ BECAUSE HE CAN ONLY BE SIDE BY SIDE WITH JOHN NOW IN HIS DREAMS. ‘Over and over again, I’ll be in love with you.’ I’m on fire.
Come Inside is Paul fucking with us in the most infuriating way, but I fucking love it. Other folks on here have called this his anthem for the tinhats, and I fully agree. Essentially it’s ’I actually haven’t lied at all, I’ve put it all out there in my songs, if you know what to look for. Also I loooove getting my hole filled with cum, in case you hadn’t picked up on that.
Never Know is another John song, holy shit. Like, all the hits are here. He’s still fucked up about the breakup, he’s still sometimes doubting John’s love for him, he misses him, he still wants to be able to fuck him and hold him. I’m kinda surprised about how much this song seems to be about the physical side of their relationship. And equally about Paul’s struggle to convince John of his commitment. Baby boy is still suffering. HELP HIM. I genuinely love the pan pipes. Let your gay ass freak flag fly Paul!!!
Home to Us is fun, but it doesn’t do much for me. Glad Ringo gets a feature tho.
Life Can Be Hard is another one for Nancy, I think. It’s more of, ‘the shit I’ve gone through has fucked me up and sometimes it makes me hard to handle, but you do make it better, and I love you’ It’s fine, not bad but I would say it’s the one I remember the least of after one listen.
First Star of the Night is more about the trauma of losing the people he’s loved, particularly John and Linda. I would say it’s about them both in equal measure, and about the way he manages to keep them alive in his heart. I did really like this one.
Salesman Saint was interesting. Other folks have mentioned that it was rather dark for a song about his parents, which isn’t surprising considering how hard and complicated Paul’s childhood was, but I was surprised because I had been bracing myself for something more sentimental. Idk, maybe Paul’s been working some shit out in therapy. I appreciate how musically weird this one is, even if I can’t say it’s my favorite.
Momma Gets By was the biggest surprise for me. I was expecting it to be another song about Paul’s parents, even though he’s said in interviews that it’s not. Turns out it is way more about Paul’s relationship with John, the experience of being ‘married’ *ahem* the promise *ahem* to an extremely difficult and sometimes very selfish person, but still loving them and choosing them. Did not expect that, and did not expect another blatant Lennon/McCartney gender play anthem to end the album on. Wow. Gonna sit with that choice for a while.
In conclusion, I loved it. My main takeaway is GAYGAYGAY FUCKING GAY PAIN GAYLONGING GAY COSMIC MARRIAGE THIS MAN IS STILL MARRIED TOJOHN AND TELLING US ALL ABOUT IT FUCK ME