Bottom of the World
Navigating Desolation: Alejandro Escovedo's Bottom of the World
Lyrics
Austin’s changed, it’s true
Austin has undergone changes, and this statement is acknowledged as true.
Show me what hasn’t
Expressing a desire to see what aspects of Austin haven't changed.
Tonight the TV's throwing colors on the wall
Observing the impact of television, casting colors on the wall.
As watches cities of the world reduced to ashes
Reflecting on the destruction of cities worldwide, portrayed on TV as reduced to ashes.
From where I sit, at the bottom of the world
Viewpoint from the speaker's current location, emphasizing being at the "bottom of the world."
Oh, there used to be a phone booth
Recalling the presence of phone booths on every corner in the past.
Down here on every corner
Highlighting the disappearance of phone booths in the current environment.
He used to call me up just to say my name
Remembering a time when someone used to call the speaker by name from a phone booth.
But now anybody get is a busy signal
Expressing frustration that now the speaker only receives a busy signal when trying to contact anyone.
No I can’t call home, from the bottom of the world
Stating the inability to call home from the perceived "bottom of the world."
She said, hey paper boy
Addressing a paper boy, suggesting it's time for him to fulfill his duties.
Don’t you think it’s time you delivered
Expressing willingness to act upon the wishes of another.
I said say the word, your wish is my command
A pause or break in the lyrics.
You may think you know all there is to know about me
Challenging assumptions, implying that others may not truly know everything about the speaker.
You might think the beast is in the cage
Suggesting that the perceived "beast" is confined or controlled.
But everything you see is just an illusion
Asserting that what is visible is deceptive, signaling an imminent reality at the "bottom of the world."
It’s about to get real, at the bottom of the world
Anticipating a significant and genuine experience at the perceived bottom.
Oh, hey little boy, little boy you look a little frightened
Addressing a little boy and acknowledging his fear in navigating challenging streets alone.
For these awful kind of streets for walking alone
Suggesting that returning home to Houston is a safer option, implying the world's harshness.
So why don’t you get yourself home back to Houston
Expressing doubt about the little boy's readiness for the challenges at the bottom of the world.
I don’t think you’re ready, for the bottom of the world
Reiterating skepticism about the readiness of the little boy for the perceived difficulties.
No I don’t think you’re ready, for the bottom of the world.
Emphasizing once again the unpreparedness of the little boy for what awaits at the bottom of the world.
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