Lyrics
Well this gigolo's jumping salty, ain't no trade out on the streets,
Describes a gigolo navigating the tough streets without a clear profession.
Half past the unlucky, and the hawk's a front-row seat
Suggests the gigolo's timing is unfortunate, and danger is ever-present.
Dressed in full orchestration, stage-door Johnny's got to pay,
Portrays a character named Stage-door Johnny facing the consequences of his choices.
And sent him home talking 'bout the one that got away
Refers to Stage-door Johnny reminiscing about a missed opportunity, "the one that got away."
Could have been on Easy Street, could have been a wheel,
Reflects on missed chances for success and prosperity.
With irons in the fire and all them business deals
Implies potential success in business that didn't materialize.
But the last of the big-time losers shouted before he drove away,
Introduces the theme of being a loser and the desire to redeem oneself.
"I'll be right back, as soon as I crack the one that got away"
Expresses determination to return after finding success, addressing the missed opportunity.
Well, the ambulance drivers, they don't give a shit,
Depicts a lack of empathy from ambulance drivers, focused on finishing work.
They just want to get off work, and
Highlights the indifference of certain individuals involved in an emergency.
The short stop and the victim are already gone berserk
Suggests chaos in a situation involving a short stop and a victim going berserk.
And the shroud-tailor measures him for a deep-six holiday,
Describes the shroud-tailor preparing for a burial, indicating the finality of the situation.
The stiff is froze, the case is closed on the one that got away
Confirms the death and closure regarding "the one that got away."
Now Jim Crow's directing traffic with them cemetery blues,
Introduces Jim Crow as a figure directing traffic with a connection to the deceased.
With them peculiar-looking trousers, them old Italian shoes
Details Jim Crow's peculiar appearance and his connection to a tragic event.
And a wooden kimono that was all ready to drop in San Francisco Bay
Mentions a wooden kimono and the potential disposal of a body in San Francisco Bay.
But he's mumbling something all about the one that got away
Conveys Jim Crow's mumbling about the missed opportunity or loss.
And Costello was the champion at the St. Moritz Hotel,
References Costello as a champion at a hotel, building his character.
And the best this side of Fairfax, reliable sources tell
Highlights Costello's reputation and frequent presence at Ben Frank's.
But his reputation is at large, and he's at Ben Frank's every day,
Addresses Costello waiting for the one he lost, maintaining the theme of missed opportunities.
Waiting for the one that got away
Continues the story of characters waiting for someone they lost.
He got a snakeskin sportshirt, and he looks like Vincent Price,
Describes someone's appearance, resembling Vincent Price, while engaging in a mundane activity.
With a little piece of chicken, and he's carving off a slice
Details a specific moment involving a piece of chicken and carving, possibly symbolizing the mundane nature of life.
Someone tipped her off, and she'll be doing a Houdini now any day
Implies a woman escaping from a situation, avoiding capture or commitment.
She shook his hustle, and a Greyhound bus'll take the one that got away
Describes the woman successfully avoiding pursuit, represented by a Greyhound bus.
Well, Andre's at the piano behind the Ivar in the sewers,
Introduces Andre at the piano, adding another character to the narrative.
With a buck a shot for pop tunes, and a fin for guided tours
Describes Andre's environment and his source of income through pop tunes.
He could-a been in "Casablanca", he stood in line out there all day
Refers to Andre's missed opportunity to be in "Casablanca," connecting to the theme of unfulfilled potential.
Now he's spilling whiskey and learning songs about a one that got away
Highlights Andre's current state, spilling whiskey and singing about a lost love.
Well I've lost my equilibrium and my car keys and my pride,
Expresses a personal loss and the narrator's emotional state.
The tattoo parlor's warm, and so I hustle there inside
Describes seeking solace in a tattoo parlor, possibly as a form of coping.
And the grinding off the buzz-saw, "What you want that thing to say?"
Depicts the process of getting a tattoo and the narrator's specific request regarding the name.
I says, "Just don't misspell her name, buddy, she's the one that got away"
Concludes with the narrator cautioning against misspelling the name of the woman who got away.
Comment