this was really a turning point in belew's career, and i think it's pretty literally a turning point. he seems to be contemplating suicide after what he's interpreting as a failed solo career (although he directed bowie tours and fronted king crimson, which few would interpret as particularly failed, even if his solo records weren't selling - and for the good reason that they really weren't very good, and he didn't have the sex appeal that bowie and byrne required to sell their own garbage), but choosing instead to resign himself to something a little more low key. with that resignation came a lot more free thinking and a higher sense of artistic individuality. his best work follows from after this point.
a similar idea is put forward in 'under the radar', but it's a little less dramatic.
9rugbyroy
I agree but his music is great ,and the radio and what they think is great is a narrow and closed minded and repetitive idea of what is talent! Compare Belew to musicians on american idol!!! ( REALLY)!!!!
deathtokoalas
i present no argument, but i'm trying to get a psychoanalysis in, and belew doesn't seem to have come to terms with this until later in life. you also have to keep in mind that while mainstream music was bad in the 80s, and a bit better in the 90s, it really hit new lows in the 00s that nobody living through the 70s could have possibly predicted. i mean, the groups belew was involved with were all successful...it's not such a stretch to expect the same level of success on solo projects (well, maybe not bowie, who was a cultural icon as much as he was a musician, but certainly king crimson or talking heads). you used to be able to turn the radio on and hear some decent music. that's the world belew lived in.
jayrobb9
I don't think your reading of the song is unfair. Belew did a number of songs throughout his solo career where he seemed rather puzzled by his own inability to 'make it big'. Oh Daddy is one song that comes immediately to mind. Of course, we don't know the man, so who is to say. And I'm sure 99% of people who have ever picked up a guitar would kill to have had a career like that of Belew. But it's entirely possible he wanted to hit big as a solo artist as a personal validation, but he never even really came close, sadly.
