Talk:Levon
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If anyone could expand upon the meaning of this song from published works that would be wonderful; or even any debate that might exist about the meaning or any quote from Bernie Taupin himself about what it means. One of the inconsequencial inigma's of our time, but I want to know...help!!
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[edit] The lyrics aren't that inscrutable ...
The article seems to make the lyrics more difficult than they seem, for example, describing "Alvin Tostig" as "semi-non-existent." He isn't "semi-non-existent"; he's a fictional character who exists only in the context of the song. --Metropolitan90 04:16, 30 March 2006 (UTC)
- Taupin is from Wessex as was the real-life Tostig, Earl of Wessex, from whom "Alvin" may be fictionally descended. Taupin may also have been using a name very similar to futurist Alvin Toffler, whose Future Shock was making a big impression at the time; it makes sense in some readings of this yes, hard to fathom song. Wasted Time R 04:47, 30 March 2006 (UTC)
[edit] try this
The meaning of the lyrics: Levon wears his war wound like a "crown", because he was used as a "pawn" in warfare. A pawn advancing to the enemy's home rank receives a "crown", so his head injury makes him fixate on elite status symbols and disrespect populist religious symbols. (Which is another way of fixating on religious symbols.)
Levon sells "cartoon balloons", which are an absurd and low-status way to make money. His family business "thrives" because he has the stamina and obstinacy to promote vacuous party supplies endlessly about town.
Levon calls his child "Jesus" (not "hay-soos", the Spanish pronounciation, or "Joshua", the common English version) because he "likes the name". He is fixated on religion in a way that removes his ability to quietly respect religion, like anyone else.
Levon sends Jesus to the "finest school in town" because he is fixated on status. He lives in a garage by the motorway, counting his money like a miser, because his fixation diverts his money from his own comforts to the status of his children. Like his noble father, he is forcing himself, through his disabilities, to follow "in tradition with the family plan".
And Jesus doesn't need this; he needs a father who is simple and loving and not messed up. As Jesus sits on the porch swing (in front of a motorway!) and lets cartoon balloons (his family's precious resource) "fly" out over the cars, he imagines flying up with them and going to the Morning Star, "Venus".
"Venus" is also the name of a god; Jesus is inheriting his father's fixations even as he dreams of utterly rejecting them. He is growing up an emotional "pauper", the son of a "pawn", and again in tradition with his family's plan.
So Levon's disability causes him to believe too strongly in things that healthy people should take lightly. He shall be Levon; he shall believe on.
--Phlip
[edit] American Idol?
Considering Season 5 isn't over, is it correct to say that Hick's performance was "one of the most praised performances of that season."?
[edit] Pawn
"Levon wears his war wound like a crown" refers to being used as a "pawn" in warfare"
Actually the "pawn" referred to in the statement "he was born a pauper to a pawn" refers to Alvin Tostig, not Levon. Levon is the "pauper." If he was born poor, that may explain why he spends his days counting his money.
