dont suppose anyone would be kind enough to let me know..

[Me and my Monkey]

What Papa Jack is about?

I find the song inrritating, and would at the very least like to know what spawned it.

Alittle help here wonderful people

 

[Johnny]

> What Papa Jack is about?

> I find the song inrritating, and would at the very least like to know what
> spawned it.

> Alittle help here wonderful people

My interpretation,for what it's worth,is that the lyric is based around Morrissey's relationship with his father.

From what I hear relations between the pair have improved considerably over the last few years.

 

[Anthony Hillmob]

> My interpretation,for what it's worth,is that the lyric is based around
> Morrissey's relationship with his father.

> From what I hear relations between the pair have improved considerably
> over the last few years.

I don't think so; Morrissey's father is called Peter and I don't think it would be usual for Irish/English children to call their father "Papa". "Dad" or "Da" would be much more likely or "Drubber" (only in some parts of Ireland).

 

[Johnny]

> I don't think so; Morrissey's father is called Peter and I don't think it
> would be usual for Irish/English children to call their father
> "Papa". "Dad" or "Da" would be much more
> likely or "Drubber" (only in some parts of Ireland).

I wasn't taking the title literally. "Dad Peter" would be a bit of a giveaway.

As I say though it's only my interpretation.

 

[nonesoever]

Re: only if you're interested.

Some journalist suggested it's about a fallen rock star.

> What Papa Jack is about?

> I find the song inrritating, and would at the very least like to know what
> spawned it.

> Alittle help here wonderful people

 

[Brown Thunder]

Re: How ridiculous!

How ridiculous and how very, very DULL of you to say that 'Jack' is not Morrissey's father's name and therefore the song isn't about him. You take things very literally I see. Autism?

> I don't think so; Morrissey's father is called Peter and I don't think it
> would be usual for Irish/English children to call their father
> "Papa". "Dad" or "Da" would be much more
> likely or "Drubber" (only in some parts of Ireland).

 

[Johnny]

Re: How ridiculous!

> How ridiculous and how very, very DULL of you to say that 'Jack' is not
> Morrissey's father's name and therefore the song isn't about him. You take
> things very literally I see. Autism?

You're being a bit harsh aren't you ? The guy is entitled to his opinion as much as anyone else.

 

[Brown Thunder]

The Lyrics and Song Information Database (LASID) suggests that the Union Flag, often referred to as the "Union Jack" could be the inspiration behind this song. If the "Union Jack" is a metaphor for a 'once great' Britain, then the song describes Britain in decline. He describes the kids having flown. Perhaps Morrissey is the kid who has flown?

Could it be about 'Papa' Jack Johnson - a boxer in the 30's ?
Or Mick Jagger (Jumpin' Jack Flash)? - no I don't think so

Or no-one in particular.

The lyric:

Papa Jack
Wants to turn
Back the clock
And reach out
To the kids
He once had
Who have flown

Papa Jack
In decline
Feels inclined
To reach out
To the kids
He once had
Who have flown

But there was a time
When the kids reached up
And Papa Jack just
Pushed them away

Looking deep
In his heart
Papa Jack
Doesn't like
What he sees
Or the time
On his hands

The dying day
The chilly sun
Papa Jack
All alone
Sings slow
Grieving and low

But there was a time
When the kids reached up
Now you can't always
Have it your way

Papa Jack
Ah ...

> What Papa Jack is about?

> I find the song inrritating, and would at the very least like to know what
> spawned it.

> Alittle help here wonderful people




http://www.dohertydesigns.com/papajack/

 

[Brown Thunder]

Re: How ridiculous!

Well he, whoever he is, was VERY harsh about my drunken mispelling (see below). I should ignore it but this time I won't.

> You're being a bit harsh aren't you ? The guy is entitled to his opinion
> as much as anyone else.

 

[Johnny]

Re: How ridiculous!

> Well he, whoever he is, was VERY harsh about my drunken mispelling (see
> below). I should ignore it but this time I won't.

Just ignore it. I would.I'm sure your a big boy/girl now.

 

[Weiß]

That's what I had assumed it was about.

In particular, the end of imperialism. John Wilson (1785-1854), who wrote a column called "Noctes Ambrosianae" in Blackwood's Magazine under the pen name of Christopher North, was apparently the source of the common expression about the sun never setting on the British empire: "His Majesty's dominions, on which the sun never sets". In other words, the Empire was so extensive that it literally encircled the globe. Australia to India to Gibraltar to the West Indies to Hong Kong, etc. But in the mid-20th century, Britain began a policy of shedding itself of these colonies. My take is that it was a painful process for both the UK and the former colonies. My long-winded point was to draw a parallel to the line in the song:

The dying day
The chilly sun
Papa Jack
All alone

Where Morrissey responds to Wilson's expression. The sun is indeed setting, the once great empire is now "all alone".

Or something.

 

[Baz]

Re: That's what I had assumed it was about.

I can see nothing in it other than a pop star at the end of his career, I don't think it's about Morrissey himself though. It's hardly my favourite track, it's not even a favourite from Maladjusted.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: I think it's about Morrissey because:

‘Papa Jack’ to my mind is about Morrissey himself. He talks about ‘the kids reaching out – they are his fans. When singing of his rejection of them, ‘Papa Jack just pushed them away’, he is describing how he likes his own company.

Papa Jack ‘in decline’ is about Morrissey feeling older, knowing that he’s older. He has spoken about looking ‘fat’ and it is undoubted that he is self-conscious and very well aware of his image. This is simply further acknowledgement of this in song.

Morrissey has been called, and he acknowledges this, that he is known as the ‘Pope of Mope’. It’s unfair and silly. The Pope is known as ‘Papa’. ‘Happy Jack’ was the subject of a song by The Who. Morrissey may have enjoyed making Jack, not a happy character, but a mope. Papa Jack is therefore the ‘Pope of Mope’ = Morrissey.

Q.E.D

& apart from anything else he usually writes about himself.

[and I agree, it is irritating]

> What Papa Jack is about?

> I find the song inrritating, and would at the very least like to know what
> spawned it.

> Alittle help here wonderful people

 

[Anthony Hillmob]

Re: How ridiculous!

> Well he, whoever he is, was VERY harsh about my drunken mispelling (see
> below). I should ignore it but this time I won't.

It wasn't me that criticised your spelling, it was Jeane. She brought it to the board's attention.

I was not intending to be harsh on you, just trying to make clear my thoughts on the importance of criticising and correcting contributors who make spelling errors, but I think there's been a misunderstanding.

 

[Guillermo Baranqilla and no I'm not latino, I just]

Shoplifter's Union is a handy resource. Link's on the main page.

> What Papa Jack is about?

> I find the song inrritating, and would at the very least like to know what
> spawned it.

> Alittle help here wonderful people

PAPA JACK

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Papa Jack
Wants to turn
Back the clock
And reach out
To the kids
He once had
Who have flown

Papa Jack
In decline
Feels inclined
To reach out
To the kids
He once had
Who have flown

But there was a time
When the kids reached up
And Papa Jack just
Pushed them away

Looking deep
In his heart
Papa Jack
Doesn't like
What he sees
Or the time
On his hands

The dying day
The chilly sun
Papa Jack
All alone
Sings slow
Grieving and low

But there was a time
When the kids reached up
Now you can't always
Have it your way

Papa Jack
Ah ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Undoubtably the weak link in the Maladjusted chain, there's only one word that can be attached to this song - cheesy. Really hammy music, and dull tiresome lyrics.
It's possible that Moz is referring to the Union Jack, as a symbol for a decaying England.




It May All End Tomorrow

 

[Brown Thunder]

Re: Cretins

Which part of "These f***ing cretins shouldn't be allowed to post here." do you think I misunderstand?

> It wasn't me that criticised your spelling, it was Jeane. She brought it
> to the board's attention.

> I was not intending to be harsh on you, just trying to make clear my
> thoughts on the importance of criticising and correcting contributors who
> make spelling errors, but I think there's been a misunderstanding.

 

[Anthony Hillmob]

Re: Cretins

> Which part of "These f***ing cretins shouldn't be allowed to post
> here." do you think I misunderstand?

Well, if you take the phrase out of the context of my full post it could certainly appear offensive.

If you interpreted my post as accusing you of being a cretin then I'm sorry, this certainly wasn't my intention.