Jackie Skates

[dutchcloggie]

I need help.

I LOVE Jackie Skates but I am probably over-analyzing it. What is it about?

First, I thought it was about this woman (Jackie) who got run over by a truck and some guy she used to deal with in one way or another (friend, lover?) who is thinking about her and how she died etc.

But I am lost when it comes to

"It was Jackie called the parents
It was Jackie won the prize"

Etc.....

What does that mean? Should it be read as: It was Jackie WHO called the parents, Jackie WHO won the prize?

Or perhaps: It was Jackie, HE called the parents, it was Jackie, HE won the prize.

Mrs. Cloggie and I have spent about 2 hours in the car listening to it over and over again and everytime we came up with a new explanation (is the guy also the truck driver? Or is Jackie the truck driver, seeing the 'skates across the freeway like a suicide in steel, etc. etc. etc.)

Let's see how many different explanations you can all come up with.

[sister rose]

ummmm....uh oh....in the words of RandyPa...'here we go again' :rolleyes:

[dutchcloggie]

Is asking about songs a taboo subject? Sorry, I did not know *innocent smile*

I was just wondering. I think it is quite fun to see what others think of a song.

At University, I once did an art project about Society's Child. I asked Janis a load of questions about it, which she ever so kindly answered, and I got the impression I was thinking about the whole thing WAAAAY too deep, so to speak.

I had to analyze the relationship between lyrics and music (does the key-change relate to a change of events in the lyrics? Does the key reflect the mood of the lyrics, is the instrumentation a reflection of the theme of the song etc. etc.) I analyzed it to death and I think Janis might have been a little surprised by some of my points as I remember her saying a few times: I never really thought about it like that.....

Unfortunately I chucked out the work after I graduated. I regret this now of course. I would LOVE to read it again, 5 years later.

Needless to say my teacher was extremely impressed because I included an interview with the artist. Most people struggled with works from Miles Davies, Picasso, Rodin etc. I got 95/100 for it:)

Anyway, I just like navel gazing I guess.........

[Oak Kitten]

Dutchcloggie, (BTW, Love your name)

There was a long thread about "Jackie Skates" that disappeared with the transition to the new server, where everyone was offering their interpretation of the lyrics. I did not have the CD yet at that point, so I did not contribute. Anyway, it never hurts to revisit it, since there are always new people coming on the board.

My interpretation is that Jackie was a lover/friend of the victim, who was a drifter estranged from her family. When she was killed by the trucker, Jackie was the only one with whom the victim had any real connection - so he "won the prize" in the sense that he had to notify her parents - who were probably more relieved than sorrowful at her death - and Jackie was tasked with disposing of her earthly remains, "though he never really loved her, but he liked her well enough."

There probably is no "right" interpretation, people will interpret the lyrics based on their own thoughts and experiences. That's what makes it so interesting.

OK

[dutchcloggie]

Aha!! See, first part of the confusion started with the fact that I thought/think Jackie is a girl's name. So to me, Jackie was the person who got killed.....

See, gives me a whole new look at the song by thinking the bloke could be called Jackie.....

*runs off to find CD*

[Oak Kitten]

HAH!

That's very interesting - that thought never occurred to me - that people would assume that Jackie HAD to be female - I guess that's because my real first name is Randy, and that is traditionally regarded as a male name. There are at least 2 other Randys on this board - both are men. My brother Robin has a similar problem. . .

[david uk]

this is my favourite song from Folk Is The New Black!

[sister rose]

Is asking about songs a taboo subject? Sorry, I did not know *innocent smile*

no, no......I was joking...as Oak Kitten explained...we had a very long discussion before about this song and even Janis got a kick out of it and all of our interpretations.....I'm sorry....:(

[Marcia Drummergal]

And as I recall, Janis' response to all of the analysis was, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar!" I'll bet that Pat might disagree however......

Marcia ;)

[janisian]

Pat stopped smoking cigars during the Monica/Clinton hearings...
<grin>

[david uk]

LOL Janis I wonder why:p

[sister rose]

rotfl! Can't say I blame her! :eek:

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Pat stopped smoking cigars during the Monica/Clinton hearings...
<grin>

Lets see... would I vote for Monica or G.W.B.... Easy, I'd vote for Monica at least she got something done in the Oval office...

Best to all

R. from Pa

[mommyof3]

Hey Pat, we can break open the cigars and enjoy this view of the O'Bay...

[Oak Kitten]

Randy & Betty,

Tee, hee hee

Or as was observed in my most recent issue of Funny Times discussing GWBs penchant for only appearing at events packed with worshipful admirers who instead of asking questions, grovel shamelessly at his feet and tell him how lucky WE are to have him as President:

"At least when Bill Clinton got a [redacted], he did it in private."

OK

[Anna from Dublin]

I think a big confusion comes from the fact that in Europe Jackie is almost exclusively a girl's name whereas in the US it is frequently a guy's name too. That's what had me confused for quite a while. I then decided there were two Jackies male and female before finally seeing the light!

I would still like to hear what Janis was thinking as she wrote it!! Hint hint;)

[Chet]

Anna - thanks for bringing the thread back on track. *glares at the others*

Here's what Janis herself said about "Jackie Skates" in the Foreword of the FINB Songbook:


The protagonist of Jackie Skates is not some foggy-eyed intellectual seeing the world through books; he’s living his life, however poorly, and doing the best he can.
At least, we know Jackie's a guy.

[saxman]

Just another song that haunts me. another new favorite. I feel most songs without words . i feel them in a musical way. when i listen to Jackie skates, i feel the music from a different avenue, im still listening trying to understand how the words relate to me and . how to interpretate it for my own meaning. does this make sence? thats one of my favorite songs on the new lp. i think all of the songs are my new favorite songs !

[SongDragon]

I thought Jackie Skates was about a girl (Jackie) who was on the highway, and she got hit by a truck. She died, but there was so much to deal with for the family, of course. Her boyfriend, who "didn't really love her, but he liked her well enough" ended up dealing with a lot of it. He ended up cleaning her room, facing her family, telling them about her, "keeping her memory whole" even though he would probably liked to have moved on.

This song made me think about my relationship with my boyfriend, especially the line I mentioned above already, "didn't really love her, but he liked her well enough", but in my case I liked him, but I didn't really feel like I loved him. It's one of those odd situations that is never expected and then just sort of breaks everything it touches (in the song, not talking about me anymore), "just another LA drifter" ruined her life, and his in a way.

~Song

[hoops]

janis ackkkkk, it's a sad day when someone can take the joy out of something that was once a treat...yucky poo and monica too.

as far as jackie skates, i haven't decided whether Jackie is just a friend how "saw it all happen" or was the truck driver himself. i know it is a haunting song as well as touching and even sweet at times.
peace
hoops

[Chet]

I wonder if John L managed to save a copy of the old thread. The Jackie Skates discussion there was really good, especially Lynda's interpretation of the song the very first time she heard it!

I mean, she heard the song and this entire story behind the song came to her mind. This is what Janis's words do to us - let us see stories and such.

Yay, Janis. :)

[DaveM]

Well, if "Jackie Skates" is a cigar, I'd say it's an El Presidente at least.