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!!

Contents

[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.


That wasn't really the take i had of the song- above all it strikes me as a song about intergenerational conflicts in values and ideas. Levon is a nationalist (wearing his war wound like a crown= taking pride in his contribution to his country), has conservative social values (about coveting money, power, status). Levon appears to want to pass on this ideology to his son, Jesus, who is alienated and wishes to escape i.e. wishing to go to venus, taking a balloon to go sailing off while levon slowly dies.

this intergenerational divide was particularly salient during the 1960's-70's as it was a time of sweeping social changes.


food for thought

-Ron



--Phlip


[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.

I agree with the above statement. The "He" in "He was born a pauper to a pawn..." refers to Levon, therefore Levon is the pauper and Alvin is the pawn. Tzittnan 19:55, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

The song is not a computer program with exact wiring between all the parts. Levon, not "Alvin Tostig", has a war wound, hence he was used as a pawn, and crowned, regardless whether Alvin Tostig was also used as a pawn. But when the second verse discusses the son Jesus, the lyric "a pauper to a pawn" could refer to him, too. In tradition with the family plan. --Phlip

[edit] Source template

I added the source template. Particularly the interpretation of the song must be sourced, or it cannot stay. Anchoress 01:28, 11 February 2007 (UTC)

Noticed that there are now references. Some of the content still isn't sourced, but I'll flag stuff individually and remove the template. Also, one of the sources, a yahoogroup, isn't ideal, so if something better can be procured that would be great. Anchoress 21:08, 25 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] History in article

The article puts the meaning of the song in the history section. I don't think this is the proper place. Also, this part says thats the son Jesus is born on Christmas Day, but it is Levon that is born on Christmas Day.Vikingboy0129 20:48, 25 June 2007 (UTC)

I agree about the history thing. I placed the references tag in February, I'm back now to remove it and do some tweaking. Re; the Jesus thing, I'll flag it. It seems from the lyrics that the Christmas Day line is referring to Levon, but some references on the lyric interpretation would be good. Anchoress 21:08, 25 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Christmas Day

I believe that it is in correct to assert that "His son, irreverently named "Jesus" ... was born on Christmas Day". It's very clear in the song that Levon was born on Christmas Day. Which could be another reason for his religiousness. I understand that the hook occurs the second time right after a line about Jesus, but assuming that one followed the other would suggest that Levon and Jesus are brothers and we know that isn't the case. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.55.245.30 (talk) 01:07, 15 September 2007 (UTC)