So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert
We're so sorry if we caused you any pain
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert
But there's no one left at home
And I believe I'm gonna rain
We're so sorry but we haven't heard a thing all day
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert
But if anything should happen we'll be sure to give a ring
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert (Albert)
But we haven't done a bloody thing all day (all day)
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert (Albert)
But the kettle's on the boil and we're so easily called away
Hands across the water (water)
Heads across the sky
Hands across the water (water)
Heads across the sky
Admiral Halsey notified me
He had to have a berth or he couldn't get to sea
I had another look and I had a cup of tea and butter pie (butter pie)
The butter wouldn't melt so I put it in the pie
Hands across the water (water)
Heads across the sky
Hands across the water (water)
Heads across the sky
Live a little, be a gypsy, get around (get around)
Get your feet up off the ground
Live a little, get around
Live a little, be a gypsy, get around (get around)
Get your feet up off the ground
Live a little, get around
Hands across the water (water)
Heads across the sky
Hands across the water (water)
Heads across the sky
We're so sorry if we caused you any pain
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert
But there's no one left at home
And I believe I'm gonna rain
We're so sorry but we haven't heard a thing all day
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert
But if anything should happen we'll be sure to give a ring
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert (Albert)
But we haven't done a bloody thing all day (all day)
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert (Albert)
But the kettle's on the boil and we're so easily called away
Hands across the water (water)
Heads across the sky
Hands across the water (water)
Heads across the sky
Admiral Halsey notified me
He had to have a berth or he couldn't get to sea
I had another look and I had a cup of tea and butter pie (butter pie)
The butter wouldn't melt so I put it in the pie
Hands across the water (water)
Heads across the sky
Hands across the water (water)
Heads across the sky
Live a little, be a gypsy, get around (get around)
Get your feet up off the ground
Live a little, get around
Live a little, be a gypsy, get around (get around)
Get your feet up off the ground
Live a little, get around
Hands across the water (water)
Heads across the sky
Hands across the water (water)
Heads across the sky
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The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
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I LOVE this song, brilliant! in every way!
I remember reading an article (possibly in Uncut magazine) that said that Uncle Albert was a reference the iconic character Albert Tatlock from the British TV series Coronation Street. As I understand it, Tatlock (who was usually referred to as ‘Uncle Albert’ by the other characters) was a First World War veteran who extolled the merits of hard work, honesty and moral responsibility on the younger generation. With that in mind, I always thought this song was McCartney’s way of apologising to his parents’ and grandparents’ generations for the folly and empty rhetoric of his own, particularly silly stunts like the Lennon/Ono bed-in.
Don't know why McCartney didn't care for Adm. Halsey, if it weren't for men like Halsey McCartney would be speaking German. McCartney should of backed off on the drugs a long time ago.
@WaistbandCowboy Not so sure if it was an apology or a 'bleak' commentary on the contrast of a generation who accomplished so much to the next generation that was easily occupied with doing nothing at all (except possibly getting their heads in the sky). As for your other 'reply' ... this was not-at-all a slight of Mr. Halsey but yet another admission that the 'heads' would not even be able to get from the table for such an urgent task as to to create a docking slip for a foreign war ship that obliged itself to come and take it's place to help save the day.
McCartney said "Uncle Albert" was based on his uncle. "He's someone I recall fondly, and when the song was coming it was like a nostalgia thing."[4] McCartney also said, "As for Admiral Halsey, he's one of yours, an American admiral", referring to Admiral William "Bull" Halsey.[4]
@lolguy23 That is right Admiral Halsey and he refers to when Halsey couldn't take his aircraft carrier to sea during the battle of Midway because he had to be in the hospital and take a oatmeal water bath according to the movie "Midway". Such a great song.
To me this song is about two dual personalities, one old school and the other new, and Paul is making some kind of social commentary on the changing times. I picture Uncle Albert sitting by the fireside telling boring war stories to a younger relative (Admiral Hasley notified me...etc). Albert conquered the seas during his prime (hands across the water) and perhaps he expects the same drive and ambition from modern youth. Modern youth however lacks this type of drive (sorry we haven't done a thing all day) but excels as PSYCHONAUTS! I'll probably be lambasted for making yet another drug connection in a Mccartney song, but you can't deny the meaning of "heads across the sky". This is the new battle and modern youth wants to conquer their minds and live a little while doing it. So I guess the ultimate meaning of this song is that some kid doesn't want to sit around listening to his Uncle, so he makes excuses (it may rain, or the kettles on)to go home and get high (get your feet up off the ground). See! It all makes perfect sense! Heads vs. Hands.
this song is crazy cuz its almost like 2 songs in one....in my opnion his best after the Bealtes...better than band on the run
Well they make sense in ways.
Like another Paul McCartney song, "Band on the Run", this is one of those songs within a song. I like how McCartney uses two totally different melodies and meshes them together in a way that works. Lyrically, this song seems to be all over the place, but it's a great song with one of the catchiest hooks ever written. This tune takes me back to the early 70s every time I listen to it. Definitely not McCartney's best song lyrically, but surely one of his best in terms of song structure and melody.
The song is great. I have no clue what it means. Thats why I came here. Good melody, the lyrics are just great because it makes no sense. Taking a shot in the dark, but maybe his Uncle wasn't happy he joined the navy, but he thought it would be a good thing for him. Navy guys get stationed around like gypsies. idk. Still makes no sense. Oh well, lets dance.
I remember the song when it came out on the radio (I was much much younger). Although the words made little sense, I truly enjoyed it, and really, I never get tired of hearing it. I too an very partial to the song-within-a-song style, like Band on the Run: it hearkens back the Beatles with songs like Carry That Weight/In The End.
these are the basics according to my father who was big into the Beatles...... Uncle Albert= Albert Einstein We're so sorry about nuclear war Admiral Halsey= military agression Be a gypsy get around= leave your homeland we're going to bomb you
That all makes PERFECT sense. Brilliant! Wow... I knew there was a meaning to the lyrics. Thanks for posting that =)