thomasfly June 20th, 2009 03:17PM  
This song is an example of "lyrical impressionism," of which John Lennon was a master, if not the originator of the genre. The most obvious example, by Lennon, was “I Am the Walrus;” others were "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and “Come Together,” while the first such example by Lennon was “Hey Bulldog.”

From WikiPedia: the "musical impressionism (of the 19th century) focused on suggestion and atmosphere rather than strong emotion or the depiction of a story."

In the case of popular / rock music, impressionism is characterized by lyrics that “superficially appear to be nonsensical and meaningless – which, in fact, (may) HAVE NO concrete meaning - but which, nonetheless, strongly suggest some kind of meaning … conveying an interpretation and / or feeling subliminally.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KReBwuE9Cmo

ten years livin’ in a paper bag ...
Feedback Baby - he’s a flipped-out cat!
a platinum canary, drinkin’ Falstaff beer ...
mercedes rule, and a rented Lear!
bottom-feeder, insincere -
prophet lo-fi pioneer ...
sell the house and go to school -
get a young girlfriend - Daddy’s Jewel!

{Chorus}
a change …
a change would do you good
… would do you good
a change would do you good
i think a change ...
a change would do you good
... would do you good
a change would do you good

God’s Little Gift is on the rag ...
poster girl posin’ in a fashion mag!
canine / feline ... Jekyll and Hyde ...
wear your fake fur on the inside!
Queen of South Beach ... agin’ blues -
dinner’s at six - wear your cement shoes ...
i thought you were singin’ your heart out to me -
your lips were syncin’ and now I see ...

{Chorus}

chasin’ dragons with plastic swords ...
Jack-off Jimmy - everybody wants more!
scully and angel on the kitchen floor ...
and i’m calling buddy on the Ouija board!
i’ve been thinkin’ ’bout catchin’ a train -
leave my phone machine by the radar range …
“hello, it’s me - i’m not at home -
if you’d like to reach me, leave me alone!”

{Chorus}