Rainy Day Women #12 and 35

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:10 am

Roy: Without a doubt Popcorn Double Feature is a track that will have even the most interested fan of later 1960s music scratching their head. I try to limit myself from such interpretations as it often leads to splinters. As you have asked, however, this is my take.

From the title, Popcorn Double Feature, the listener is given the hint, that there is something special about this song. A bonus consistent with two full length films for the price of one, topped off with popcorn. While some may agree that this characterization is spot on, after repeated listenings, I am left with the impression that the majority will feel that this title is somewhat misleading. The double bill may comprised of two B movies that fill the time but not the psyche.

So what if any, is the double bill here? Did Weiss and English give as much thought to the creation of the lyrics those who have interpreted the song over the years? Is this composition another example of psychedelic form over substance, with the instrumentation being the most salient feature of the song? Are we to be left with melody over meaning - an Incense Peppermints or Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, in which feeling trumps lucidity?

Part of the charm of this song is the melody and its hint of psychedelia. This may be the closest that The Searchers got to this genre but I will leave it to the experts to fully assess in the context of their work.

The Double Feature aspect of this track may be found at a couple of levels, although I confess that this is the result of reading between the lines and throwing caution to the wind.

To begin, there is a double bill with regard to the music and the lyrics. The melody and instrumentation is of a swirling quality that pulls the listener into the auditory feature. In this way there is little need to focus on the content but simple live the experience of the sound. Many songs of the late 1960s fit this bill and I would argue that the melodies were so unique and melodic that the words could have been taken from the newspaper of the day. The lyrics form the second bill in this song describing the difficult times faced by the world (People are dying, babies are crying} with the realization that in the natural order of things there comes a resolution (and good things come after just follow the paths along).

A second and less optimistic interpretation, based solely on the lyrics, attempts to contrast the global conditions of society (People are dying, the babies are crying) with the personal albeit less dramatic experience of everyday living for the composer or person in the street (coffee each morning, don't park or no warning). This macro versus micro view of the world attempts to gain resolution in the first chorus that focuses on the abnormality of the world and the sages who will rescue us.

Popcorn double feature
The whole world's a funny farm
That man is your teacher
No need to be alarmed

In the end, there is no resolution in a world that has become unpredictable and irrational (a funny farm). In an unstable place even those in whom we look for guidance can themselves be lost. We see reference to this condition in the second chorus (No need to be alarmed - NOT MUCH).

Popcorn double feature is a reminder that social problems have become an integral part of everyday living and are reflected in both the worldwide and the local neighbourhood.

The "popcorn double feature world" is the circle of life played out before us in which our personal lives have been influenced by external forces outside ourselves. In essence there is no way out as we have become an individual cog within a global wheel.

I am afraid that I have gotten splinters in my fingers over this one.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 4:30 am

On the contrary Peter after reading your brilliant observations I am convinced the song is a work of genius.

Here is Searchers single version and as a contrast a rare Radio version.

Here is the link for the file you uploaded:
http://download.yousendit.com/3975FBC64B645C4F

einar · Post by **einar** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:11 am

Peter, I second Roy: Quite brilliant indeed! Goes for "Popcorn", as for your other numerous interpretations. The best part is from "A second and less optimistic part" and out. Personally I'm no expert on the English language. But I feel PDF is much about "US" and "THEM", the rich and the poor. Have more- get more. Buy two, and get one more for free. Babys crying, People dying, no need to be alarmed. As that man (the "consume" man) tells us this is the road ahead: Get a bigger flatscreen before Summer! First verse reflects that we all have enough with our own problems (which in the "big, western picture", are quite "minor"). Maybe also an attack on metaphysics and religion- we find comfort in the thought that the allmighty has a plan. No need for "US" to worry too much. The little man on the corner with the flag and a speech tries to change matters, but fights huge odds.

"The whole world's a funny farm"- Indeed!

This is the way- roughly- that I've thought about this lyric. But thank you to Roy for bringing it on, and to Peter for fetching the glove. A work of genious or not- at least the lyrics to PDF are not meaningless!

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:58 am

Thanks Roy and Einar. I am reminded that the Beatles had some "random" writing in their music that left us reading far too much into it. This may also be the case here, as fun as it can be.

While not exhaustive last, Larry Weiss is a song-writing giant. Some of his credits are below.

Rhinestone Cowboy Glen Campbell (# 1 Worldwide)

Hi Ho Silver Lining (# 1 Europe) Jeff Beck (Europe)

Help Me Girl Eric Burdon

Help Me Girl Outsiders

Bend Me Shape Me American Bread (# 1 Worldwide)

Bend Me Shape Me Gilla (# 1 Germany)

Bend Me Shape Me Amen Corner (# 1 Europe)

Mr. Dream Merchant Jerry Butler (60’s - # 1 R&B)

Mr. Dream Merchant New Birth (70’s - a hit again)

Your Baby Doesn’t Love

You Anymore Karen Carpenter

Your Baby Doesn’t Love

You Anymore Ruby & Romantics

Darling Take Me Back Lenny Welch

Ciao Baby Lynn Randall (# 1 Australia)

Walking in Different Circles Peppermint Rainbow

Walking In Different Circles Montanas (Europe)

More Than The Eye Can See Al Martino

(I’m) Together Again Bobby Sherman

Popcorn Double Feature Searchers (Europe)

Hollywood Smiles Glen Campbell

There He Is Baby Washington

Leave Me Alone Baby Washington

Insult To Injury Timi Yuro

Gettin’ Ready for the Heartbreak Chuck Jackson (# 1 R&B)

(In The) Cold Light Of Day Gene Pitney

Mr. Wishing Well Nat “King” Cole (# 1 USA)

Evil Woman Spooky Tooth

Lay Me Down (Roll Me Out to Sea) Barry Manilow (recorded 4 times)

einar · Post by **einar** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:11 am

That's an impressive list! Are you sure they are all the same "Weiss"?! Further, did he write the music, too? I understand from Roy's introuction that he did not provide PDF with a melody. In my opinion, the melody to PDF doesn't serve the lyrics very well! Imagine "With God On Our Side" with this kind of tune!

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:33 am

Einar: I am not sure about his full involvement with regard to the above list. They are taken from his site, which I was remiss in mentioning. You can see in more detail here.

A more complete discography is here.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:52 am

Re: RDW#12&35,
as an 11 year old living in the suburbs and not quite hip to the emerging hippie/drug culture, I took "stoned" to mean having rocks thrown at you. The song still made sense to me. I was in Catholic school, and recall people being stoned in the biblical sense, as punishment.

I found the song highly amusing in both lyric and overall sound, trombone and circus-march. I played along on my Rogers snare drum with the broken head. And that Dylan giggles in the midst of it all just made it better. I liked that it was different than the pop and rock songs of the day.

I still prefer my rock and roll loose and less than perfectly played, and I wonder if this record (and the early Stones') are in some way responsible for that!

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:02 am

Interestingly Tim Wilde's original version and he Fall's version of PDF not listed

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:09 am

Roy: Tim Wilde's Popcorn Double Feature is mentioned under the discography on the Larry Weiss Site.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:12 am

Jerry: An interesting interpretation of Rainy Day Women #12 and 35 and a potent reminder of the importance of context. I guess you could say you were snared by it.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:13 am

As a few of you know, I used to comment on political blogs using song lyrics as my "arguments".

My favorite ones are when you can find two or three meanings and let the folks decide for themselves which one I was thinking of. I am sure songwriters do the same........especially Dylan!!

lyle_from_minneapolis · Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:42 am

On that link I posted previously, one of the comments about "Rainy Day Women" was that it is a constant succession of lyrical puns. Just about every phrase has another possible meaning, on purpose. If Dylan were ever called to task for any of those lyrics, he could always revert to the alternate, more innocent meaning and say "Whoa, why did you think of it THAT way? Do you have a dirty mind or something?"... My favorite is wondering what he will choose to rhyme with "buck"... Ever cross your mind?

I believe the true White Rabbit lyric is "when logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead", and the Red Queen is "off her head" (on who knows what). But different sites yield different answers.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:56 am

Yes see that now Peter, missed it first time round.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:26 am

FWIW, closed captioned television used the "sloppy dead" lyric with the WR video.

stubby · Post by **stubby** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:57 pm

Can't remember the interview but I remember David Crosby ridiculing the notion that this song was a "drug song." I wish I could remember the context - he was talking about something else but threw in something to the effect "and everybody thought RDW 12&35 was a drug song too" to help illustrate his point. I know this is sketchy but it's all I can remember - this ring a bell with anybody?