Cardigan Sweater:

Slash has his top hat. Buddy Holly had his horn-rimmed glasses. Fred Rogers had his cardigan sweater.

What would you say if I told you I was a monster?
Blond haired, blue eyed, authentic imposter
I say nasty things, they always come out pretty
Sucked into a whirlpool, won't you come down with me?

However, this song isn't about Mr. Rogers.

Details of a life get simplified to fit the storyline
Label and dismiss all the evidence you find
On the kitchen floor
Details of life get simplified to fit the storyline
Label and dismiss all the evidence you find
On the living room walls
If it makes you feel better...

I read a long article in the New York Times about the making of a documentary based on a singer-songwriter. The film was partly pieced together with home movies. The writer shared how hard it was to watch some scenes.

I keep saying I'm lost, they want to make me a hero
Floating detached in space, in gravity zero
Hear my baby crying, miles below
Hear my baby crying, miles below
Hear my baby crying, try to reach down to get her
My skin's freezing cold in my cardigan sweater...


The NY Times article touched on how hard it is to know, really know, a celebrity. 

We know some details about famous people, sure. But there are always hidden moments, mementos, things dropped on the floor that roll under the stove, crumbs that are not documented anywhere. 

Details of a life get simplified to fit the storyline
Label and dismiss all the evidence you find
On the kitchen floor...
Details of life get simplified to fit the storyline
Label and dismiss all the evidence you find
On the living room walls
If it makes you feel better...

Sometimes you remember hearing a band for the first time: where you were and exactly what you were doing. I remember hearing this band over the radio in the campus bike shop at Land and High, waiting to have a bike tech look at my Mongoose Sycamore. 

I remember feeling a little cooler, just by hearing the song. Like the first time I listened to Are You Experienced? straight through, using little foam headphones.

Got a railroad running up and down my arm
Imaginary tattoo of Charlie Parker over my heart
May you never hear, surf music
You never hear, surf music
May you hear surf music again...

I was sitting in my brother's basement family room watching the 7pm news when I saw the telephoto picture for the first time. I really wish I had never seen it.

Details of a life get simplified to fit the storyline
Label and dismiss all the evidence you find
On the kitchen floor...
Details of life get simplified to fit the storyline
Label and dismiss all the evidence you find
On the living room walls

If it makes you feel better...