Frances
Second Class Scout
Posts: 35
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Post by Frances on Jan 20, 2020 0:31:12 GMT -5
I love this song but what does “you’ll be me for a while and I’ll be you” actually mean? I have some idea but I want to hear what others think. It’s driving me nuts.
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Post by dee on Jan 25, 2020 22:51:31 GMT -5
Maybe it's about the artist trading places with the fans.
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Post by thematsarealive on Jan 30, 2020 23:06:32 GMT -5
It was an inside joke between Paul and Slim. There is a quote about it out there - it was maybe related to trading each other's guitar lines on that album?
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Post by landshark on Feb 5, 2020 18:35:02 GMT -5
Always reminded me of Dylan’s “I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes/you’d know what a drag it is to see you”
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Post by teddinard on Feb 6, 2020 8:01:33 GMT -5
Always reminded me of Dylan’s “I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes/you’d know what a drag it is to see you” Yeah except the scenario in "I'll Be You" is totally without the typical Dylan nastiness. In fact, it's the opposite. I take the whole song to be a development from complete self-absorption to finding himself able to turn to, and even turn into, another person. It's all "I I I, me me me" through the first part. He talks about being lonely, and we don't get any sense that there's even anybody else around. He seems to be obsessed with his career or just his aimless life ("searching for something to do" etc.). We get "I'll break down just in case" as his way of coping. The turn comes with "let's hold hands just the same." The song acknowledges another person is there. Even though I'm lonely, and my life is aimless, all the same, you're here, we can physically connect. He thinks about some soul purge, but then realizes that relying on the other person for redemption is a better way. It's a bit of an odd reliance on the other person, though, because instead of simply saying "let's be together" in a sappy, sentimental way, he imagines switching identities with her/him. So it's interesting to wonder if the switch makes him any less isolated than he was before by the end, or not. I think a lot of Westerberg's songs are about being deep inside himself and then realizing that he needs other people, even if in an odd way. It's a great song in this vein. |
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Post by landshark on Feb 6, 2020 18:54:46 GMT -5
Always reminded me of Dylan’s “I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes/you’d know what a drag it is to see you” Yeah except the scenario in "I'll Be You" is totally without the typical Dylan nastiness. In fact, it's the opposite. I take the whole song to be a development from complete self-absorption to finding himself able to turn to, and even turn into, another person. It's all "I I I, me me me" through the first part. He talks about being lonely, and we don't get any sense that there's even anybody else around. He seems to be obsessed with his career or just his aimless life ("searching for something to do" etc.). We get "I'll break down just in case" as his way of coping. The turn comes with "let's hold hands just the same." The song acknowledges another person is there. Even though I'm lonely, and my life is aimless, all the same, you're here, we can physically connect. He thinks about some soul purge, but then realizes that relying on the other person for redemption is a better way. It's a bit of an odd reliance on the other person, though, because instead of simply saying "let's be together" in a sappy, sentimental way, he imagines switching identities with her/him. So it's interesting to wonder if the switch makes him any less isolated than he was before by the end, or not. I think a lot of Westerberg's songs are about being deep inside himself and then realizing that he needs other people, even if in an odd way. It's a great song in this vein. Nice read, thanks |
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Jer
Beagle Scout
Posts: 1,182
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Post by Jer on Feb 7, 2020 7:21:48 GMT -5
Nice synopsis teddinard! I always interpreted it on a similar, but a little more macro level, where it's another case of Paul hyper-analyzing his life vs his public persona, and how on the surface he's (was) the wasted Replacements party guy, but really he's yearning for a more pedestrian life. Especially at the time - 89 - when there were so many expectations on them and they were at their commercial peak. This is a reoccurring thing with him - from Here Comes a Regular, to that PTMM interview where he talks about the party up front, but how they're trying to get through to the wallflowers in the back even more, to Once Upon A Weekend and even the lyrics to We are The Normal, which have a very similar theme. "You think it's so great leading this band of wasted fools around, playing these songs to a bunch of other wasted fools, and being the life of the party? You think the sun shines down on all of us?.....well I just want to be a regular at the local bar, watch the rabbits in my yard, sweep the floor, enjoy a chilly day, and be normal. How about we trade? You be me and I'll be you?"
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Post by raccoon on Feb 9, 2020 12:04:35 GMT -5
Oblique reference to crossdressing and androgyny?
See also 'Bent Out of Shape' : 'your clothes I wear', 'Androgynous' lyrics, A hint in 16 Blue, The inner sleeve artwork of 'Don't Tell a Soul'. There are other lyrics that suggest this theme but I suspect this theory will be shot down in flames. Which is fine. Carry on...
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