From: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org (shindell-list-digest) To: shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Subject: shindell-list-digest V6 #308 Reply-To: shindell-list@smoe.org Sender: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk shindell-list-digest Thursday, December 9 2004 Volume 06 : Number 308 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [RS] Last Fare, and the "Second Couple Theory" ["Gene Frey" ] [RS] Last Fare - Second Couple Theory [B Gallagher ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 08 Dec 2004 11:47:05 -0500 From: "Gene Frey" Subject: [RS] Last Fare, and the "Second Couple Theory" Hey you guys, Not to get too Zapruder about the Second Couple Theory, but there has been a bit of discussion about whether the couple in the Fall part of Last Fare is the same couple as in the Spring part. Richard has said they are not, and obviously that is definitive, but I wondered why I felt so strongly that they were the same. Then, the last time I heard the song, I think I got it. The phrase "there they are" seems to imply recognition, and, within the context of the song, the only couple the cab driver would recognize would be the couple he picked up in the fall. Take the emphasis away from that phrase, and it makes it easier for me to accept that they are different folks. Last Fare remains one of those rare songs whose impact has not diminished over many listenings. I still get that little pull I first felt when I hear the 'Hope and Grace' line. Brilliant. OK, we haven't done this in a loooong time, and certainly not since Vuelta came out, so let's cast the movie version of Last Fare. Five roles, unless someone wants to get an exclusive with Julia Roberts' twins for the role of Hope/Grace. Cabbie - Mandy Patinkin, Shindell doppelganger and fine actor. Pllus, he could handle the singing when the Broadway musical is made. Fall couple - As I see it, if they are, as a couple, looking for someone lost in the World Trace Center, it may well be a child of theirs. So, they need to be old enough to be parents of an adult child. Susan Sarandon and Sam Waterston would work here. Spring Couple - Younger, good looking, vibrant. Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany, since I just saw Bettany in Dogville and was very impressed, and, if I ran Hollywood, Jennifer Connelly would be in everything. OK, I look forward to lots of ideas here. Gene F. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Dec 2004 11:55:51 -0500 From: rfoxwell@wso.williams.edu Subject: Re: [RS] Last Fare, and the "Second Couple Theory" Quoting Gene Frey : > The phrase "there they are" seems to imply recognition, and, within the > context of the song, the only couple the cab driver would recognize would be > the couple he picked up in the fall. Take the emphasis away from that > phrase, and it makes it easier for me to accept that they are different > folks. Exactly, I've argued that exact same point in my defense of the "same couple theory", in various posts here. I see a few other reasons to support the same couple theory, some lyrical and some concerning subjective views of what makes a "stronger" song, but this particular line is arguably the single strongest "fact." Richard's view is obviously the official word, like you said, but for me and my interpretations/descriptions, the couples will forever be the same. - --Chris ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Dec 2004 16:57:44 -0500 From: Norman Johnson Subject: [RS] casting call Kevin Spacey as the cab driver. Not only does he look like RS but he also can sing. He's playing Bobby Darin. >> Spring Couple - Younger, good looking, vibrant. Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany, since I just saw Bettany in Dogville and was very impressed, and, if I ran Hollywood, Jennifer Connelly would be in everything.<< Got to go with Gene on this one. Norman ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Dec 2004 17:19:17 -0500 From: B Gallagher Subject: [RS] Last Fare - Second Couple Theory Gene wrote: Last Fare remains one of those rare songs whose impact has not diminished over many listenings. I still get that little pull I first felt when I hear the 'Hope and Grace' line. Brilliant. Quite right Gene. Aside from my nonsensical post of September 3, "Che's Last Fare", "There they are", may imply to some that they are the same couple, but does not expressly state same. It could be just, "And there they are", my last fare of the day. The 'second couple theory' makes for a stronger song. Having them the same is, as someone already said, 'too pat'. Too Hollywood. The song works better for me if they are different couples. I picture the first pair as older, losing an adult child. The circle of life be unbroken; continued by a different 'family'. Bart ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2004 02:31:26 GMT From: "ptpowerlists@juno.com" Subject: Re: [RS] Last Fare, and the "Second Couple Theory" In defense of the Groggy Knoll theory, Gene wrote: >>The phrase "there they are" seems to imply recognition, and, within the context of the song, the only couple the cab driver would recognize would be the couple he picked up in the fall. Take the emphasis away from that phrase, and it makes it easier for me to accept that they are different folks.<< Gene, Gene... Has waiting to hear "The Weather" started to turn you against the word of Shindell? Haven't you ever heard "There they are!" in a cops-and-robbers film? It was very popular once. No doubt this taxi driver had been informed that there'd be a couple waiting for him at the hospital. Pat ________________________________________________________________ Juno Gift Certificates Give the gift of Internet access this holiday season. http://www.juno.com/give ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2004 02:39:07 GMT From: "ptpowerlists@juno.com" Subject: Re: [RS] casting call Norman wrote: >>Got to go with Gene on this one.<< Richard sang (as written by Charles Lyonhart): Go to Gene, I said at that moment You'll feel a whole lot better when you're gone How the travels and works of a lifetime Are reduced to a handful of songs Pat ________________________________________________________________ Juno Gift Certificates Give the gift of Internet access this holiday season. http://www.juno.com/give ------------------------------ End of shindell-list-digest V6 #308 ***********************************