A Nautical Tragedy

Considering that this is a band blog, I believe that the content should for the most part be related to music.  I have therefore decided that since song lyrics can be represented in a textual form, the most sensible thing to do at this point is to analyse the lyrics of a song.  Our band plays almost entirely original material and so it would make sense that I should analyse the lyrics of one of our songs, to offer insight into the meaning behind our lyrics.  I have however, decided that it would be far more interesting to analyse the lyrics of song written by someone else.

      The song I have chosen was written by Courtney Taylor-Taylor from the Dandy Warhols and is titled Minnesoter.

Verse 1

Yeah,

This first line perhaps establishes a positive frame of mind for which the song is to be received.  Yeah, also meaning Yes, is often considered to be the positive response to a question.

I could rock her like a doctor,
It is safe to assume that the majority of medical professionals from countries with advanced economies do in fact own a boat of some description.  Boating generally involves a significant degree of rocking from side to side.  While there are varying forms of watercraft that minimize this rocking, it is clear that the lyricist in this case is referring to some form of unstable yacht, which is perhaps engaged in some type of competitive racing.

If I found a way to get her off first.

This line brings in to question to what or whom, the word ‘her’ is actually referring.  It could of course be referring to a female passenger aboard the doctor’s boat.  If this is the case, and the doctor is involved in a boating competition (where speed is a factor) then it is reasonable to assume that this complaint refers to the passenger (her) acting as a form of ballast.  This in no way suggests that the passenger is overweight, but in many forms of competitive racing weight is a critical factor relating to success.  Typically every ounce of weight must be considered as a potential hindrance to the performance of the vehicle or craft.  The doctor is suggesting that if he were permitted to jettison her temporarily, he would then be free to complete his race and return later in order to offer her the boat ride he presumably has promised.

However we must also consider the possibility that the word ‘her’ actually refers to the boat itself as it is quite a common expression amongst nautical folk. In this case, it may simply be that the boat is attached to a trailer for transportation.  If this interpretation is correct, then it is clear that the protagonist is having some form of difficulty dislodging the boat from said trailer.

      It is highly likely that this second explanation is in fact the correct interpretation of the word ‘her’.  This will become clearer with further analysis of the remaining lyrics, as they would seem to function more consistently under this definition.

I could own her, the crazy loner,
Most sources interpret the final word of this line as ‘loner’.  Referring to, one who spends much time alone withdrawn from society.  However, as the lyrics have most likely been transcribed from an audio recording (since there appears to be no official source such as an album liner or the band’s website) it is possible that this word has been misappropriated.  I propose that the word actually being sung is in fact ‘loaner’.  Referring to, something that has been temporarily given to someone else on the provision that it will be returned at some point in the future.  This may also involve the exchange of money for time with the item in question.

      If we are then to interpret the ‘her’ in the phrase as the boat, it sheds further light on the meaning the lyricist most likely intended.  The boat in question is a rental, and there is the potential that the doctor could own her should certain circumstances arise. 

If I found my way to Minnesoter.

This is of course the circumstance that must arise, the locating of, and arrival at Minnesoter.  The interesting aspect in this particular phrase, is the spelling of the name ‘Minnesoter’.  The listener who is unaware of the title of song, will simply interpret the name as Minnesota, the state located in the Midwestern United States of America.  Unfortunately this misconception denies the uninterested listener the opportunity to discern one of the two most likely meaning’s that this phrase gives to the rest of verse.

      The first explanation is as follows. Minnesoter does not exist in reality, however as we have already noted its name does imply the existing city of Minnesota.  Considering this, it is possible that the songwriter is trying to illustrate the relationship he has with his rental boat.  As he states, he could own her if he could reach Minnesoter, implying that he desperately wishes to reach this mythical place but is fully aware that he cannot.  Through this poetic device he is attempting to inform the listener that owning the boat is forever beyond his grasp for some reason.  The similarity between the names, 'Minnesoter' and 'Minnesota', illustrates that it is not a dream that is beyond the scope of reality but simply beyond the ability of the doctor to obtain.
   In short Minnesoter does not exist, therefore the doctor shall never own the boat, and must enjoy the time he has while renting it.

      The other possible explanation is that he has been given a poorly written map that not only has misspelled the name of the city, but also provides inaccurate directions.  Hence the difficulty he experiences attempting to locate Minnesoter.

Verse 2
Yeah,

As we can see (or hear) once again the verse begins with a note of positivity.  This suggests that the protagonist, despite the sorrow felt from not being able to buy the boat of his dreams, does still have a positive frame of mind.  Even though he must live with this crushing reality, he is forever hopeful.

In a slumber, I'm sawing lumber,

It appears at this point the protagonist has entered some form of dream state in which he has become a lumberjack.  While many psychologists may debate the meaning of his lumber sawing, I submit that he is performing this action in order to conduct maintenance on his boat.  The dream state does not prohibit him from possessing the boat, and so it is likely that in this haze created by the sleeping mind, he is in the company of his long sought after watercraft.

I saw my baby dance a Latin number

This is perhaps one of the more peculiar lines present in the song.  It appears at this point during the doctor’s dream state, the boat has developed some form of rudimentary intelligence that allows it to partake in Latin dancing routines.  This clearly would be something of a remarkable occurrence, hence its worthiness to mentioned within the song.
     The only other possible explanation would relate perhaps to Roman numerals, however it is likely that the boat would still be required to dance in this scenario.  Unfortunately this line lacks the detail describing how the boat is achieving such a routine without the aid of limbs. 

With her shirt off, Man, her skin's soft.

The shirt is clearly referring some sort of protective sheet, perhaps a tarp, that the doctor has removed during the dream state.  The ‘skin’ is obviously the decking, which he has presumably treated with some sort of varnish which can withstand conditions that he and his boat are likely to encounter whilst on the water.

But in a mood, she'd rather if I jerked off.
Clearly the dream state up until this point has indicated that the doctor has a deep seated longing for the boat that he cannot acquire in reality.  As dreams do not follow the conventional logic of the real world it is entirely possible that in this dream state the boat has some form of emotional awareness.  We have already established that the boat is intelligent enough to conduct complex movements which may be interpreted as dancing despite the disadvantage of having no arms or legs.  To suggest that the boat also ‘feels’ is not such a great leap.  The boat would then be capable of presenting certain moods in this dream state.  The doctor who clearly has a deep emotional connection with this boat, wishes the relationship to develop further than boat desires it too.  This rejection situates this song as a great example of tragedy.

As to the detail of what the doctor sings in this scenario, it perhaps relates not so literally to what the boat actually suggests the doctor should do, but rather to the particular medical field in which the doctor works.  In a sense the boat would rather if the doctor returned to his work and leave her alone.

If I found my way to Minnesoter
In this instance, this line is a continuation of the previous thought process.  Even if the doctor finds his way to Minnesoter, the boat has no interest in belonging to him.  This further cements the nature of tragedy within this piece.

Verse 3

The final verse is simply a repetition of the first verse.  This forms a circular story model, illustrating the tragic conundrum of the doctor.  He wishes to obtain the boat, but he cannot achieve this, and even if he were the boat would not want him.  The repetition indicates that the doctor is incapable of escaping this vicious cycle, he will forever be in longing of his beloved boat and most likely incapable of forming any meaningful relationships as a result of this.  It is also highly likely that he will never be satisfied with any other form of motorised transport, such as cars or mopeds.

Minnesoter is truly amazing song.  Its melody and lyrical depth have cemented it as a classic amongst those of us who are admirers of The Dandy Warhol's music.  This is simply my interpretation of the lyrics, and I am aware that there may be many more, some perhaps even more plausible than this one.