|
|
Post by Moe on Oct 28, 2004 4:33:15 GMT -5
 I have been wondering what the song, "Ticket to Ride" means. I listen to the song, I read the lyrics, but I just don't get it. I love the '73 version that the Carpenters recorded for the Singles release, the arrangement, the french horn, and Karen's vocals, but I just don't understand what the message is. Help....
|
|
|
|
Post by Moe on Oct 28, 2004 4:34:29 GMT -5
While we are on the subject, how about "Daydream Believer?" I like the Monkees and Anne Murray's versions of the song, but once again, I don't get it....
|
|
|
|
Post by Greg on Oct 28, 2004 9:41:37 GMT -5
Moe,
To me the phrase "Ticket to Ride" means that the boy has a ticket to her heart...or that she has given him permission to be a part of her life...that's what she wants. The sadness for her is that he doesn't seem to care. Even though she is wide open and ready for a deep relationship with him, he doesn't care that that he has that opportunity.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rick Henry on Oct 28, 2004 11:25:42 GMT -5
  Hi Moe, "Ticket To Ride" is a song about a guy leaving his girlfirend (or in the Beatles' case a girl leaving her guy). He's got a ticket for a bus or a train or plane and he's going away. He going away and he doesn't care about her anymore. TICKET TO RIDE(*) I think I’m gonna be sad I think it’s today, yeah The boy that’s driving me mad is going away (**) he’s got a ticket to ride He’s got a ticket to ride He’s got a ticket to ride And he don’t care He said that living with me Is bringing him down, yeah He would never be free When I was around Repeat (**) Don’t know why he’s ridin’ so high He ought to do right He ought to do right by me Before he gets to sayin’ good-bye He ought to do right He ought to do right by me Repeat (*) Repeat (**) Don’t care Think I’m gonna be sad... 
|
|
|
|
Post by Greg on Oct 28, 2004 12:41:06 GMT -5
Rick,
You're right on. That's the literal meaning of the lyric. However, I think the more abstract feeling I described applies as well.
By the way Rick, I stumbledon this site a couple of months ago and have really enjoyed it. I've said forever that Karen Carpenter has the best voice I've ever heard. It almost drives me out of my skin when I hear some of her songs. I'm 47-years-old and saw the Carpenters once...in Chicago (where I still live) circa 1976.
Anyway, It's facinating to see all this information about the Carpenters. What I wouldn't give to be able to see them one more time!
Keep up the good work.
Greg Springer
|
|
|
|
Post by Rick Henry on Oct 28, 2004 12:49:14 GMT -5
Hello Greg, welcome to THE CARPENTERS ONLINE. Thank you for the kind words.
That's the wonderful thing about all types of art. Each person has their own perception. It's in the eye of the beholder. It's whatever it means to you. Thank you so much for bringing your view of what "Ticket To Ride" means to you.
I'm 44 y.o. and saw the Carpenters only once myself in December 1977 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas - what a great show they put on. Karen was outstanding with her drum solo and they also did the Oldies Medley - they came out on a motorcycle.
|
|
|
|
Post by Moe on Oct 29, 2004 3:45:39 GMT -5
Thanks for your responses. I was always torn between a literal and a figurative meaning to the song. maybe it's both....
|
|
Mariah Andrews
CERTIFIED GOLD MEMBER
I'm 29/Transsexual M2F/Lesbian from Southern NV. Now a first-time author on the market!
Posts: 113
|
Post by Mariah Andrews on Nov 2, 2004 15:39:30 GMT -5
Somebody once said that Ticket TO Ride (Which is a Fab Four number) was about drugs. But I completely disagree.
Daydream Believer, which I think Karen would have sounded great singing, is just a fantasy song, written fresh from the heart.
One thing I admire about Carpenter/Bettis is that none of their songs were about substances like drugs. I, as a songwriter, may have used a few drugs in my lifetime but I never wrote any song about any one substance.
Now Richard did all the music part, John did the words. Yet their personalities clashed. Richard was a clean cut conservative in his mannerism, John Bettis was the opposite. Not a whole lot is written about Mr. Bettis in the book, other than the fact that he was a left-winged hippie.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rick Henry on Nov 2, 2004 21:49:22 GMT -5
Somebody once said that Ticket TO Ride (Which is a Fab Four number) was about drugs. But I completely disagree. I agree with you here Mariah, "Ticket" is simply a creatively written love gone wrong song. I've always loved this song, even before I heard the Carpenters' recording. |
|
|
|
Post by smoothie2 on Nov 2, 2004 23:54:20 GMT -5
:(hi Greg and I'm glad you stumbled in with us. I stumbled in over a yr. ago, and have enjoyed a few other Carp sites, but this one seems to be the most fun and interesting.
I haven't even really thought about what Ticket to Ride might mean, other than in the literal sense, so that's neat.
And I watched one of those biography type movies about The Monkees some time ago, and when the song was presented to Davy Jones, he doesn't understand it either, but he went on and did it and it was a hit, of course, back then it wouldn't have much mattered what he sang he was considered "the cutest"...
Other songs that are interesting but just what they exactly mean are a mystery..might be "Eve" done by the Carps (on the 25th anniversary cd)...
and Druscilla Penny from their tan Carpenters album.
and so...
I never unfortunately saw the C's in concert. Since I was so hooked on them and still am...growing up ...I'm sure my parents may have taken me.
Anyway, I like hearing about those who did see them.
I saw John Denver and Kenny Rogers and the Osmonds...but I would have traded at least Kenny or Donny...(not so sure about John...I was obsessed with him)..to see Richard and Karen.
smoothie
|
|
