(Oh yeah, and the title reminds me of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" where the wallpaper makes the main character crazy. (Oh yeah, and the title reminds me of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" where the wallpaper makes the main character crazy.) my feet are not used to this hard concrete = he's used to a padded room (like in a mental institution) eyes not accustomed to this light = always dark where he's at last night I put on tails, pretended I was on the town = living in a fantasy world deck of 51 = not playing with a full deck playing solitaire till dawn = alone by himself and not sleeping counting flowers the wall = bored and obsessive Overall it's a masterclass in songwriting. This routine is the only coping mechanism he knows and over time it has become normal to him. I used to think this song was about a person who didn't realize he was crazy, but the older I get the more I think he just doesn't know how to be okay anymore. Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo. Playing Solitaire till dawn, With a deck of fifty-one. Now, counting flowers on the wall, That dont bother me at all. But then the chorus kicks in with that ominous drum as he tells you exactly what he does by himself, hinting that something is not quite right. Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo. The tune reflects his inner turmoil: the verses are all very chipper and upbeat, with the singer telling you how great he is. People keep trying to get him out in the real world and he resists. He has secluded himself in his dark room and his life boils down to insomnia, watching children's programs, smoking, and playing solitaire, but he's obviously not playing with a full deck ("deck of 51"). So I must go back to my room and make my day complete It's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a frightĪnyway my eyes are not accustomed to this lightĪnd my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete You can always find me here, I'm havin' quite a time So please don't give a thought to me, I'm really doin' fine Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the townĪs long as I can dream it's hard to slow this swinger down Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one While you 'n' your friends are worried about me I'm havin' lots of fun If I was walkin' in your shoes, I wouldn't worry none The Chorus of the song ends with the words: "So don't tell me I've nothing to do." The song gained exposure amongst a new generation after it was used by Quentin Tarantino in Pulp Fiction.I keep hearin' you're concerned about my happinessīut all that thought you're givin' me is conscience I guess Recounting his sad, daily pursuits, "Counting flowers on the wall, that don't bother me at all, playing solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one, smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo," are all acts of boredom and lost purpose as well as isolation. The song is a wryly humorous account of a man's isolated life. In the years since its release, " Flowers On The Wall" became one of the trademark songs of the Statler Brothers' 40-year career. 2 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart, and reaching No. Written and composed by the group's original tenor, Lew DeWitt, the song peaked in popularity in January 1966, spending four weeks at No. " Flowers On The Wall" is a song made famous by country music group The Statler Brothers. It's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright Anyway my eyes are not accustomed to this light And my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete So I must go back to my room and make my day complete The Statler Brothers - Flowers On The Wall - Countin' flowers on the wall That don't bother me at all Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the town As long as I can dream it's hard to slow this swinger down So please don't give a thought to me, I'm really doin' fine You can always find me here, I'm havin' quite a time Countin' flowers on the wall That don't bother me at all Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do (Lewis DeWitt) I keep hearin' you're concerned about my happiness But all that thought you're givin' me is conscience I guess If I was walkin' in your shoes, I wouldn't worry none While you 'n' your friends are worried about me I'm havin' lots of fun
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