Fit and Working Again
Lyrics
I'm fit and working again (1)
Walk down the road in the sun
I make a path through a forty strong gang
I'm fit and working again
My sick, think I've seen the tail end
I'm fit and working again
I used to hang like a chandelier
My lungs encrusted in blood
But the flex is now cut clear (2)
I'm fit and working, dear
Took me ten years to write this song
I'm fit and working again
I'm fit and working again
I used to think this bog was the domain (3)
Fit and working again
Opinion is at most
One stimulus reason
If you've got the most
With the true brain suss
Analysis is academic
Some thoughts can get nauseous.
Sat opposite a freak on a train
Warts on his head and chin
Boy, was I getting so vain
I saw the recession around Victoria Station (4)
And now I'm
I'm fit and working again
Gimme gimmeUG Medicine (5)
I'm fit and working again
And I feel like Alan Minter (6)
I just ate eight sheets of blotting paper (7)
And I chucked out the Alka Seltzer
Now I'm fit and working again
Cause I'm fit and working again
Cause I'm fit and working again
Don't you know that was the tail end
I'm fit and working again.
Notes
"The back cover of Slates has this note:
'FIT AND WORKING AGAIN
Religion costs much-but irreligion costs more'
I tracked down the quote 'Religion costs, but irreligion costs much more' to a Christian magazine published in 1929, where it is attributed to Rev. George H. Lee (who I think may be George Hewitt Lee, 1859-1951). Over the years it seems to have been adopted as a general Protestant church slogan.
This similar sentiment is from the writings of the Baptist minister John Leland (1754-1841): 'So living Christianity costs but little; but dead Christianity costs more than civil empire.'"
Tweeted by Paul Hanley during the Slates listening party;
This is one of Mark’s ‘Underground Medecin’ songs, a strange theory about using your body to its full potential, also referenced in Rowche Rumble. I love the laugh he does when he gets the scan wrong on ‘ I used to think this bog was the domain’
#timstwitterlisteningparty
9:12 PM · Oct 18, 2020
And Martin points out that MES used the phrase "Fit and Working Again" on "Underground Medicin" on 29 July, 1980.
2. Some live versions are slightly different, as MES sometimes sings "The cord is now cut clear." I had never heard "flex" used in this way (perhaps it is more common in Britain, though); it means a low-current electric cord in which there are two or more wires, separately insulated. Naturally, such a chord is very flexible, hence the name. Thus, the narrator could have tried to hang himself with an electrical cord.
Dan finds another possible twist in the line, though, asking "Is it metaphorical, or not? And if it is metaphorical, is it the metaphor of revival after a suicide attempt or is it the metaphor of no longer shining so brightly, if with suffering?" On the other hand, Zetetic thinks it refers to a catheter...see the discussion below, the suicide interpretation is far from certain.
3. "Bog" is English slang for toilet; as Chris points out, this line may imply he used to spend large amounts of time ill in the "bog."
4. There are numerous Victoria Stations in England, including one in Manchester, and one in London.
5. See "Underground Medecin."
Paul Hanley on Twitter:
This is one of Mark’s ‘Underground Medecin’ songs, a strange theory about using your body to its full potential, also referenced in Rowche Rumble. I love the laugh he does when he gets the scan wrong on ‘ I used to think this bog was the domain’
#timstwitterlisteningparty
9:12 PM · Oct 18, 2020
6. Alan Minter is a British former boxer who became World Middleweight Champion in March 1980. He caused controversy before his fight with Marvin Hagler in September of that year when he exclaimed, "That black man is not going to take my title away." Hagler, however, did.
More Information
Comments (56)
- 1. | 25/05/2013
- 2. | 25/09/2013
I think it's
'I just ate ei
ght sheets of blotting paper
And I tripped out on the Alka Seltzer'.
'I just ate ei
ght sheets of blotting paper
And I tripped out on the Alka Seltzer'.
- 3. | 07/10/2013
Danny,
Your comments above are wonderfully insightful (the "flex is cut clear" sounds like gobbledegook to me though, what's it mean?). However, "Fit and Working" is on Slates, not Dragnet.
Poky,
That sounds plausible, there's definitely no "on" though (so it would be "I tripped out the Alka Seltzer). I still hear it sounding a bit more like "chucked," though. Happily, your hypothesis is now recorded here, though.
Your comments above are wonderfully insightful (the "flex is cut clear" sounds like gobbledegook to me though, what's it mean?). However, "Fit and Working" is on Slates, not Dragnet.
Poky,
That sounds plausible, there's definitely no "on" though (so it would be "I tripped out the Alka Seltzer). I still hear it sounding a bit more like "chucked," though. Happily, your hypothesis is now recorded here, though.
- 4. | 16/10/2013
Huh, of course it's on Slates!!! Should have realised - I was checking the Fall Tracks A-Z site and they have it wrongly appearing on Dragnet!
i think most of what I say still stands, and Minter's career would still have been in the news when this song debuted:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Minter
i think most of what I say still stands, and Minter's career would still have been in the news when this song debuted:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Minter
- 5. | 18/10/2013
Yes, Reformation had the entry for this mixed together with the one for "Spectre vs. Rector," and apparently they haven't gotten it fully disentangled yet. I'll try to remember to send them a message about it.
Live he says "the cord is not cut clear," so that clears that line up. I like your question about that, there are two ways to hear it (I had just noticed the suicide one).
Live he says "the cord is not cut clear," so that clears that line up. I like your question about that, there are two ways to hear it (I had just noticed the suicide one).
- 6. | 18/10/2013
MES says that it "took me ten years to write this song". Well, maybe not ten years, but eight months previously he had used the words "fit and working again" in a performance of Underground Medicin (Deeply Vale; 29 July 1980).
- 7. | 23/10/2013
I always assumed it was "and I choked down the Alka Seltzer", which makes more sense since he feels like he's been in a boxing match after coming out of his acid trip and needs to take something to make himself feel less like crap.
- 8. | 27/06/2014
"I make a path through a forty strong gang"
I just realised that walking through gangs is a bit of a theme in Fall songs. "I had to wade through 500 European punks" (Deer Park). And, er, well that's the only one I can think of. Oh, "Ol' Gang"?
I just realised that walking through gangs is a bit of a theme in Fall songs. "I had to wade through 500 European punks" (Deer Park). And, er, well that's the only one I can think of. Oh, "Ol' Gang"?
- 9. | 28/06/2014
Re: "hanging" - I've heard the phrase in the UK used to mean not feeling very well (as in: "I'm hanging. I'll go back to bed.")
- 10. | 15/01/2015
I've never heard that. Ever. In my entire life.
- 11. | 05/12/2015
I think it's "And I chucked Down the Alka Seltza" (as in, imbibed, the morning after)
(as an example - in local parlance) "Hungover? Chuck some of these down yer neck..You'll be right as rain, soon enough!"
Also, as in regards to the "Flex cut clear" line, I think here mark is mis-naming a catheter
(as in he was coughing up blood (as with Tuberculosis) but the tubes are now clear (so he's 'on the mend' )
- never been certain with this one though.
(as an example - in local parlance) "Hungover? Chuck some of these down yer neck..You'll be right as rain, soon enough!"
Also, as in regards to the "Flex cut clear" line, I think here mark is mis-naming a catheter
(as in he was coughing up blood (as with Tuberculosis) but the tubes are now clear (so he's 'on the mend' )
- never been certain with this one though.
- 12. | 06/12/2015
That might be right, Zetetic, unfortunately it sounds neither more nor less like "down" or "out" to me....I think we need a couple other opinions on that before I can make a move...
- 13. | 23/12/2015
"I used to hang like a chandelier
My lungs encrusted in blood
But the flex is now cut clear"
I think it's highly unlikely this alludes to attempted suicide, or the survival thereof. As speculated, 'flex' merely refers to the sort of electrical cabling that may well support a chandelier. The whole thing is mere imagery: an infected chest will feel weighed down, heavy. The malady passes, the lungs feel lighter, lifted somewhat, no longer encumbered by the infirmity that impeded it.
I've always felt that this track does what it says on the tin; it's about appreciating feeling well after a period of illness - although I could be entirely wrong about this.
['Flex' wouldn't typically be used in a medical context either, as is suggested above, although it's not impossible. It's more a 'trade' term, used by electricians, plumbers, etc.]
My lungs encrusted in blood
But the flex is now cut clear"
I think it's highly unlikely this alludes to attempted suicide, or the survival thereof. As speculated, 'flex' merely refers to the sort of electrical cabling that may well support a chandelier. The whole thing is mere imagery: an infected chest will feel weighed down, heavy. The malady passes, the lungs feel lighter, lifted somewhat, no longer encumbered by the infirmity that impeded it.
I've always felt that this track does what it says on the tin; it's about appreciating feeling well after a period of illness - although I could be entirely wrong about this.
['Flex' wouldn't typically be used in a medical context either, as is suggested above, although it's not impossible. It's more a 'trade' term, used by electricians, plumbers, etc.]
- 14. | 23/12/2015
'Re: "hanging" - I've heard the phrase in the UK used to mean not feeling very well (as in: "I'm hanging. I'll go back to bed."'
The implication being that one has drank too much:
The feeling after a night out when you feel terrible. Usually because of the amount of alcohol you have consumed.
The implication being that one has drank too much:
The feeling after a night out when you feel terrible. Usually because of the amount of alcohol you have consumed.
- 15. | 27/12/2015
That's a great point, I think I lost sight of the fact that he hung like, not from, a chandelier, and he'd hardly be hanging like a chandelier from a chandelier. Of course it's possible he was hanging from a rafter, but this point does make suicide less likely.
On the other hand hanging by an electrical cord from a rafter would definitely be like a chandelier...heavy meditation is needed!
On the other hand hanging by an electrical cord from a rafter would definitely be like a chandelier...heavy meditation is needed!
- 16. | 28/12/2015
I've never ever heard "hanging" used in the sense Jevans reports. Hungover, yes.
So I can't make sense of Jevans' suggestion. His point about suicide is well made but, overlooks the ambiguity - because "chandelier" is not obviously a bad thing to be, is it?
Worth thinking about how chandelier's hang, which is a bit different to other light fittings. Often you have a pulley or hoist system to allow them to be raised or lowered. So if you cut the flex... your lights go out, yes, but also maybe you crash to the floor. So if we're thinking metaphorically, this isn't necessarily supportive of the relief/getting well interpretation.
Another point is that perhaps "hang" isn't what's meant. "Swing like a chandelier"?
So I can't make sense of Jevans' suggestion. His point about suicide is well made but, overlooks the ambiguity - because "chandelier" is not obviously a bad thing to be, is it?
Worth thinking about how chandelier's hang, which is a bit different to other light fittings. Often you have a pulley or hoist system to allow them to be raised or lowered. So if you cut the flex... your lights go out, yes, but also maybe you crash to the floor. So if we're thinking metaphorically, this isn't necessarily supportive of the relief/getting well interpretation.
Another point is that perhaps "hang" isn't what's meant. "Swing like a chandelier"?
- 17. | 28/12/2015
Oh, I see Jevans is quoting Mark, above, to which I already responded in the same vein.
- 18. | 29/12/2015
To be clear, I don't think "I used to hang like a chandelier" does actually allude to being hungover. 'Hanging' in that sense is an adjective - it isn't used as a verb.
With regard to the suicide thing, I agree that being like a chandelier is not a negative thing per se, but they are heavy, stacked with lighted candles, so I hardly think it's a positive analogy - it suggests feeling heavy and encumbered, possibly on fire.
And if it was a metaphor for suicide, would not one write it "I hung like a chandelier"?
Basically, I think it could be an allusion to be tuberculous (which was not uncommon in the UK until about 50 years ago), the flex being employed in the medical sense as an apparatus used to drain fluid off the lungs.
"My sick, think I've seen the tail end" - He thinks he is finally on the road to a full recovery, maybe after having spent time in a sanatorium.
This is all conjecture, you understand...
With regard to the suicide thing, I agree that being like a chandelier is not a negative thing per se, but they are heavy, stacked with lighted candles, so I hardly think it's a positive analogy - it suggests feeling heavy and encumbered, possibly on fire.
And if it was a metaphor for suicide, would not one write it "I hung like a chandelier"?
Basically, I think it could be an allusion to be tuberculous (which was not uncommon in the UK until about 50 years ago), the flex being employed in the medical sense as an apparatus used to drain fluid off the lungs.
"My sick, think I've seen the tail end" - He thinks he is finally on the road to a full recovery, maybe after having spent time in a sanatorium.
This is all conjecture, you understand...
- 19. | 02/01/2016
Hm.
Tuberculosis has occurred to me too, given the references to lungs and blood.
Tuberculosis has occurred to me too, given the references to lungs and blood.
- 20. | 19/01/2016
"Gimme the sun", probably refers to The Sun newspaper, the most popular with working class men, usually bought on the way to work.
- 21. | 05/01/2017
Hanging = hungover
Reference to "bog" is English slang for "toilet" or "W.C." (Water Closet i.e. bathroom/toilet)
Spending long time in bog because ill would make it a "domain" for the sufferer?
Reference to "bog" is English slang for "toilet" or "W.C." (Water Closet i.e. bathroom/toilet)
Spending long time in bog because ill would make it a "domain" for the sufferer?
- 22. | 28/01/2017
Thank you, Chris. I'm not sure if I knew what a bog was and didn't notice it would need a note, or if I did not know what a bog was when I annotated. Either way, same result, I suppose.
- 23. | 07/03/2017
I want to note a probably coincidental echo of Ibsen's "Ghosts".
Act 3: http://www.online-literature.com/ibsen/ghosts/3/
Act 3: http://www.online-literature.com/ibsen/ghosts/3/
OSWALD. [Sits in the arm-chair with his back towards the landscape, without moving. Suddenly he says:] Mother, give me the sun.
MRS. ALVING. [By the table, starts and looks at him.] What do you say?
OSWALD. [Repeats, in a dull, toneless voice.] The sun. The sun.
- 24. | 14/03/2017
i thought the "flex is now cut clear" was like flexing your muscles.
- 25. | 17/03/2017
also thought it was "i make a pact with a forty-strong gang" but his delivery makes either one seem likely to me
- 26. | 23/03/2017
xyz, are you American? That's partly whom this site if for, Americans like me. "Flex" to refer to an electrical cord is a British word, and in context it seems likely that's what he means. What would the sentence "the flex is now cut clear" mean if it were muscles?
The "pact" thing is plausible, it's really hard to say here and "through" is probably harder to swallow than "with." We need to consult live versions, there are 14 and someone must have one or two of them, but I do not...
The "pact" thing is plausible, it's really hard to say here and "through" is probably harder to swallow than "with." We need to consult live versions, there are 14 and someone must have one or two of them, but I do not...
- 27. | 25/06/2017
The back cover of "Slates" has this note:
FIT AND WORKING AGAIN
Religion costs much-but irreligion costs more:
- 28. | 10/11/2017
I think Chris may have it - there are quite a few sick/vomit references, so hanging over the bog, coughing up vomit/blood?
The flex might just mean a cord of mucus, or could refer to the 'gag reflex' having gone?
The flex might just mean a cord of mucus, or could refer to the 'gag reflex' having gone?
- 29. | 29/01/2018
Sat opposite a freak on a train
Warts on his head and chin
Boy, was I getting so vain
I saw the recession around Victoria Station
My long-standing interpretation of this:
He sees an ugly looking guy across from him on the train, but then realizes he's looking at his own reflection in the train window (hence the reference to vanity), and on the other side of the window is the Victoria Station platform.
- 30. | 29/01/2018
Comment #29. I like this, but there are not many trains where you would be sitting opposite to a window, are there? Adjacent, yes. But I may be being too logical, and I do like the interpretation, correct or not.
- 31. | 11/08/2018
I was listening to the live version of this song from Trenton, New Jersey, 12 June 1981. At one point MES sings, "It took me ten years to write this song, now I'm fit and working again..."
- 32. | 19/11/2018
Perhaps because I am an American, or just hear things differently, I always heard “flex” as “flecks,” as in I am now clear of these flecks of blood or dried mucus I’ve been coughing up for ten years.
In addition the Alka-Seltzer line to me was (whatever the actual words are) an indication that whereas he once downed the fizzy tablets quite often, he now is rid of them, because he is ...wait for iiiiiiit...FIT, AND WORKING AGAIN.
In addition the Alka-Seltzer line to me was (whatever the actual words are) an indication that whereas he once downed the fizzy tablets quite often, he now is rid of them, because he is ...wait for iiiiiiit...FIT, AND WORKING AGAIN.
- 33. | 20/11/2018
Perhaps because I am an American, or just hear things differently, I always heard “flex” as “flecks,” as in I am now clear of these flecks of blood or dried mucus I’ve been coughing up for ten years.
In addition the Alka-Seltzer line to me was (whatever the actual words are) an indication that whereas he once downed the fizzy tablets quite often, he now is rid of them, because he is ...wait for iiiiiiit...FIT, AND WORKING AGAIN.
In addition the Alka-Seltzer line to me was (whatever the actual words are) an indication that whereas he once downed the fizzy tablets quite often, he now is rid of them, because he is ...wait for iiiiiiit...FIT, AND WORKING AGAIN.
- 34. | 20/11/2018
"Religion costs much-but irreligion costs more", note 1
Just to note that I tracked down the quote "Religion costs, but irreligion costs much more" to a Christian magazine published in 1929, where it is attributed to Rev. George H. Lee (who I think may be George Hewitt Lee, 1859-1951). Over the years it seems to have been adopted as a general Protestant church slogan.
For more on Lee see: https://digitalcollections.ohs.org/lee-rev-george-h
Just to note that I tracked down the quote "Religion costs, but irreligion costs much more" to a Christian magazine published in 1929, where it is attributed to Rev. George H. Lee (who I think may be George Hewitt Lee, 1859-1951). Over the years it seems to have been adopted as a general Protestant church slogan.
For more on Lee see: https://digitalcollections.ohs.org/lee-rev-george-h
- 35. | 20/11/2018
This similar sentiment is from the writings of the Baptist minister John Leland (1754-1841).
"So living Christianity costs but little; but dead Christianity costs more than civil empire."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Leland_(Baptist)
"So living Christianity costs but little; but dead Christianity costs more than civil empire."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Leland_(Baptist)
- 36. | 01/12/2018
Count, that is a good observation--due to the grammar I think it must be "flex," but we perhaps do not go amiss hearing a play on "flecks."
Yes, I agree entirely about the Alka Seltzer.
Yes, I agree entirely about the Alka Seltzer.
- 37. | 30/06/2019
"Gimme gimme, ooo, gimme the sun."
I would say that's an obvious Ibsen reference, except I'm not sure any Ibsen reference is obvious in 20th century Britain. "Mother, give me the sun" is from "Ghosts"; it's what the character Oswald says when he has lost his mind. I think it does make some sense in context, I'm not convinced the narrator is really "fit and working again", not after eight sheets of blotter acid, and if the song has taken ten years to write, was he "fit and working again" when he started writing?
I don't think the narrator wants to read the newspaper, I think he's a physical and mental wreck. Mark has read a lot of 19th century literature, I think the "gimme the sun" bit could be an intentional reference and - obviously - a hint that the narrator is neither fit nor working again.
I would say that's an obvious Ibsen reference, except I'm not sure any Ibsen reference is obvious in 20th century Britain. "Mother, give me the sun" is from "Ghosts"; it's what the character Oswald says when he has lost his mind. I think it does make some sense in context, I'm not convinced the narrator is really "fit and working again", not after eight sheets of blotter acid, and if the song has taken ten years to write, was he "fit and working again" when he started writing?
I don't think the narrator wants to read the newspaper, I think he's a physical and mental wreck. Mark has read a lot of 19th century literature, I think the "gimme the sun" bit could be an intentional reference and - obviously - a hint that the narrator is neither fit nor working again.
- 38. | 03/07/2019
Excellent stuff, znart!
- 39. | 03/07/2019
Aw, I pointed out the Ibsen thing two years ago! Comment #23! <sulks>
- 40. | 03/07/2019
Oops....sorry....
- 41. | 14/09/2020
This is vaguely interesting, in light of the lyrics about hanging. Probably no actual connection.
On 4 February 1981, Alan Minter received the "freedom of the City of London" (that's the City as in the square mile district).
From the Daily Mail, 5 February 1981 (p.31):
On 4 February 1981, Alan Minter received the "freedom of the City of London" (that's the City as in the square mile district).
From the Daily Mail, 5 February 1981 (p.31):
Alan Minter may now drive his sheep over London Bridge. If they bring back capital punishment and he is found guilty he can demand a silk noose for the hanging.
etc
- 42. | 18/10/2020
Tweeted by Grant Showbiz (@zombat) during one of Tim Burgess' Twitter listening parties, 18 Oct 2002:
https://twitter.com/zombat/status/1317922122652618752
#TimsTwitterListeningParty Fit & Working.......Yes there was a piano in the studio.......I think that’s Mark.....had 2 edit out a lot of it !
9:14 PM · Oct 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/zombat/status/1317922122652618752
- 43. | 18/10/2020
Tweeted by Paul Hanley during the listening party;
https://twitter.com/hanleyPa/status/1317921391560192000
This is one of Mark’s ‘Underground Medecin’ songs, a strange theory about using your body to its full potential, also referenced in Rowche Rumble. I love the laugh he does when he gets the scan wrong on ‘ I used to think this bog was the domain’
#timstwitterlisteningparty
9:12 PM · Oct 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/hanleyPa/status/1317921391560192000
- 44. | 18/10/2020
But the big news from today's Tim Burgess-organised listening party is this:
I asked:
https://twitter.com/dannyno_01/status/1317921348744892416
To which Grant Showbiz replied:
https://twitter.com/zombat/status/1317934849961955328
I pushed a bit further, but no other details forthcoming. So let's assume for the sake of argument that Grant is right... Off I go to see if there is a real-world reference.
I asked:
Victoria Station, Manchester, presumably? #fitandworkingagain
9:11 PM · Oct 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/dannyno_01/status/1317921348744892416
To which Grant Showbiz replied:
No London......
10:05 PM · Oct 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/zombat/status/1317934849961955328
I pushed a bit further, but no other details forthcoming. So let's assume for the sake of argument that Grant is right... Off I go to see if there is a real-world reference.
- 45. | 06/02/2021
Yes Google says there is one in London!
- 46. | 06/02/2021
"Real-world reference" meant whether a journalist had written about the recession in relation to London's Victoria Station (or could be accused of venturing no further, which may be the implication of the line, and why I wondered if a London journalist dipping a toe into the provinces might have stepped off a train in Manchester, scribbled something silly, and then jumped back on the train home), rather than whether there was a Victoria Station in London, in case anyone thinks I wasn't aware of it!
- 47. | 27/02/2021
Going by the St Helen's live version, the gimme the sun bit is actually gimme U.G. medicine. U.G. medcine I guess harks back to underground med. from 78/79
- 48. | 27/02/2021
And true precis appears to be true brain suss
- 49. | 01/03/2021
About the Alka-Seltzer...
Speed users like to use anacids, like Alka-Seltzer, to boost the effects and onset of the drug when taken orally.
Speed users like to use anacids, like Alka-Seltzer, to boost the effects and onset of the drug when taken orally.
- 50. | 07/03/2021
Yes it is UG Medicine
- 51. | 07/03/2021
And P Hanley's tweet seems to corroborate
- 52. | 18/06/2021
Are both this track and Eat Y'Self Fitter both inspired by adverts for All Bran??
See the latest comments on the Eat Y'Self Fitter page.
See the latest comments on the Eat Y'Self Fitter page.
- 53. | 19/06/2021
They seem loosely connected, although the word "fit" is too thin a reed. Still, the notion that "Fit and Working Again" means becoming un-constipated does have charm...
- 54. | 30/10/2021
From Ann Bouwma's interview with MES in the Dutch magazine Vinyl, #5, August 1981, pp.12-13.
Rough translation:
I'm not sure what "in Mark's words religion" really means, hopefully someone with better Dutch skills can offer a better translation.
Een nummer als 'Fit and working again' gaat over de slaafse navolging van trends, in Mark's woorden religie.
Rough translation:
A song like 'Fit and working again' is about the slavish imitation of trends, in Mark's words religion.
I'm not sure what "in Mark's words religion" really means, hopefully someone with better Dutch skills can offer a better translation.
- 55. | 01/04/2022
"Gimme gimmeUG Medicine ". I hear it as "Gimme, gimme the sun", which is, I think, inspired by a line from Henrik Ibsen's play "Ghost" (Oswald: "Mother, give me the sun"). In an interview with a Norwegian newspaper, MES talks about literature and he refers to Ibsen, so I think he was familiar with Ibsen's work: "I can handle fucking Ibsen and fucking Hamsun, but I can't handle fucking Steve Hanley" - https://www.dn.no/d2/musikk/the-fall/smiths-uvenner/1-1-5389655
- 56. | 11/04/2022
Richard, comment #55.
Yes, potential echo of Ibsen noted by me back in 2017 in comment #23.
And then also the same point noted in 2019 by user znart, comment #37.
Yes, potential echo of Ibsen noted by me back in 2017 in comment #23.
And then also the same point noted in 2019 by user znart, comment #37.
I bring this up because it's not clear to me whether MES/narrator is in fact really fit and working again, or is deluded in some sense. The line "I used to hang like a chandelier
My lungs encrusted in blood
But the flex is now cut clear"
In particular disturbing. Is it metaphorical, or not? And if it is metaphorical, it is the metaphor of revival after a suicide attempt or is it the metaphor of no longer shining so brightly, if with suffering?
In July 1978, Minter's opponent Angelo Jacopucci died a few days after losing against Minter, due to injuries sustained.
Minter won all his bouts from November 1977 to June 1980.
So is "feeling like Alan Minter" a positive thing, or a negative thing?