Reply To: Artificial Heart discussion
Since others are posting their Artificial Heart thoughts, song-by-song, I’m going to do it too.
Sticking it to Myself. A song about self doubt. Apparently, JoCo knows something about this.
Artificial Heart. A cry for help from a man who eats way too much road food and is worried about his cholesterol level. He knows he should be a vegan but can’t resist the Call of the Dorito. Heart surgery is just a matter of time…
Nemeses. This song is about being a JoCo fan. “Now that you’re here, I don’t seem that crazy, do I?” Think about it.
The World Belongs To You. This song is actually about Rick Springfield.
Today With Your Wife. An adultery love song. Possibly about an affair JoCo had with Rick Springfield’s wife. But probably not.
Sucker Punch. A song about getting into trouble. But not with Rick Springfield’s wife. This sounds just like an Elvis Costello song. So maybe it’s about JoCo and Elvis Costello getting into trouble together? “I can see the bottom and the bottom’s okay” is probably not about somebody’s tushie, given the context.
Glasses. A song celebrating the subtle joys of married life that JoCo realized he’d better write after the first time he played Alone At Home for his wife. Also song number two in the “Shop Vac Trilogy.” (Working title of song number 3: “Now I Am An Altacocker.” My favorite song on the album.
Je Suis Rick Springfield. This song is not about Rick Springfield.
Alone At Home: A song about a happy marriage.
Fraud: A song about the awful pressure JoCo is under to write new songs that are as good as Skullcrusher Mountain. And his fear that nothing on Artificial Heart can top the stuff he wrote when he was so young he can’t even remember being that guy. Lucky for him, Artificl Heart is totally fucking awesome.