Doll Face
I wrote this song about a man who worked in my building when I lived in Philadelphia. He was a single, lonely, seemingly-well intentioned man who had a tendency toward inappropriate, albeit creepy behavior with regards to his female co-workers. He was ultimately harmless, but he would often let his lonesome, desperate state of being get the best of him and he would follow women out to their cars at the end of the day in some bizarre attempt to get them to pity him. I could tell that he had lived his life alone despite his best intentions to find companionship. That’s what the first few lines are alluding to example: “Spent adolescence alone, afraid, growing older now alone, afraid. Soon I’ll close my eyes, alone, afraid”. These lines just outline his own confrontation of his tragic fate; to live and die alone and afraid. The last lines, when the chords change, represent him in a company parking lot pleading with a fellow, female co-worker. “Oh what I’d do to kiss those luscious, doll-face lips. Just one night alone with my calloused hands on your hips”. This semi-sexual advance is not suppose to make him seem like a rapist or even a villain of any kind, it’s merely supposed to show just how desperate for him. He thinks this woman is beautiful and he envisions the glorious happiness she could provide for him just by spending the night with him. Although his comment is way out of line and certainly not work appropriate, it’s human, it’s strangely well-intentioned. The last line shows his instant regret in voicing his plea to this woman. “I’m sorry, I’ve said too much”. I pictured him apologizing while slowly walking away back into the office, realizing that he must have come off horribly creepy and scary to her. This song is just a small, office-sized window into his tragic state.