Log In
Register
10.19pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline
Fun is the one thing money can’t buy could also be related to the girl saying that despite having everything money could buy it didn’t stop her being unhappy at home, she never had fun. Eventually she ran off. Maybe it was in the wrote she left. Maybe that’s what the parents came to realise at the end, they could give her everything money could buy but they couldn’t make their daughter happy or have fun. The parents were struggling to get buy as they gave their daughter everything, maybe they also missed out on the fun themselves but thought it was worthwhile as it was for her, looking back they also realise they also never had fun. Nobody benefited from it all.
There is a lot going on in the lyrics of ‘She’s Leaving Home ‘, a lot of interpretations.
The following people thank meanmistermustard for this post:
Richard, Ahhh Girl, QuarryMan, Mr. Moonlight, Rube"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
2.54am
7 November 2022
Offline My theory is that “fun is the one thing that money can’t buy” was a pure Lennon contribution, and even if he meant it partially as a component of the song’s story, it was also a transcendent zinger about life itself, seeing and raising their own more innocent days of “money can’t buy (me) love”. Not only can it not buy love, it can’t even buy FUN!–the only thing a materialist nihilist has in this life, despite what they think when they try to fend off the Abyss with their money.
The following people thank Sea Belt for this post:
Ahhh Girl, Mr. Moonlight, kelicopter, RubeNow today I find, you have changed your mind
11.20am
Moderators
Members
Reviewers
20 August 2013
Offline Ooooo, I like that interpretation, @Sea Belt. Have an apple 
The following people thank Ahhh Girl for this post:
Sea Belt, RubeCan buy Joe love! Amazon | iTunes
Check here for "how do I do this" guide to the forum. 
(2017) 
(2018)
11.30am
30 August 2021
Offline BobFromSeattle said
That makes sense inasmuch as it *is* John singing the counterpoint that is otherwise the voice of the parents. But I find it hard to swallow that the parents would be lecturing themselves that “fun is the one thing that money can’t buy”. Possible, but doesn’t seem likely to me. When I hear the line, I feel I’m being given the message of the song, which remains (in my mind, at least) in this form inconsistent not only with “Can’t Buy Me Love “, but with any sensible person’s understandings.
I agree that the line is a somewhat clumsy conclusion to the preceding “what did we do that was wrong” couplet but I read it as a realisation that they had failed her emotionally by concentrating only on providing for her financially.
"Nothing is Beatle-proof."
8.28pm
7 November 2022
Offline Thanks @Ahhh Girl — I could make some apple sauce!
The following people thank Sea Belt for this post:
Ahhh GirlNow today I find, you have changed your mind
9.44pm
26 January 2017
Offline The fact that the previous chorus’ counterpoint vocals are obviously sung from the parents’ POV makes me think it is supposed to be them singing this one too. However I agree it is somewhat clunky.
The following people thank QuarryMan for this post:
Mr. MoonlightI've been up on the mountain, and I've seen his wondrous grace,
I've sat there on the barstool and I've looked him in the face.
He seemed a little haggard, but it did not slow him down,
he was humming to the neon of the universal sound.
9.24pm
10 January 2024
Offline Y’know in the song She Said She Said The Line “Even though you know what you know/I know that I’m ready to leave” has always annoyed me that Leave isn’t “Go” It rhymes, it has the same amount of syllables, it fit’s rythamically, WHY IS IT LEAVE??? I think it’s just a small little thing that annoys me when I listen to that song.
The following people thank Oakwood for this post:
Sea Belt, Mr. Moonlight"Now just like Sister Ray said ... Whip it on me jim!"
- Lou Reed or Something
9.39pm
26 January 2017
Offline I like that it doesn’t rhyme. The next line is Born, and Im not sure I like Know-Go-Born better than Know-Leave-Born. I think ABB like in Norwegian Wood is more satisfying that AAB
"The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handles!"
-Bob Dylan, Subterranean Homesick Blues
"We could ride and surf together while our love would grow"
-Brian Wilson, Surfer Girl
10.59pm
7 November 2022
Offline I agree with Oakwood.
Now today I find, you have changed your mind
6.13pm
7 November 2010
Online Oakwood said
Y’know in the song She Said She Said The Line “Even though you know what you know/I know that I’m ready to leave” has always annoyed me that Leave isn’t “Go” It rhymes, it has the same amount of syllables, it fit’s rythamically, WHY IS IT LEAVE??? I think it’s just a small little thing that annoys me when I listen to that song.
I’ve never realised this and now I bet I won’t be able to unhear it!
That is annoying. Especially that the earlier verses have kind of half rhymes (dead/sad and head/mad).
I think it's great you're going through a phase,
and I'm awfully glad it'll all be over in a couple
of days
2020
9.02pm
7 November 2022
Offline Perhaps the most egregious lapse in rhyming was Paul Simon’s “Duncan”
First verse nicely rhymes “all night long” with “here’s my song”.
Second verse suddenly has “boredom and the chowder” juxtaposed in the same scheme with “sweet New England”
My theory is Paul just loved the chowder phrase too much to change it, but for the story had to have New England (not to mention there’s likely no word to rhyme with chowder suitable for that juncture of the story).
The following people thank Sea Belt for this post:
kelicopterNow today I find, you have changed your mind
8.32am
26 January 2017
Offline Listening to Nowhere Man , the rhyme structure is AAB, and it is definitely a satifying structure. She Said She Said is ABC, I wonder if John was purposefully experimentating with rhyme schemes during that time, or if those lyrics naturally developed with the rest of the song.
"The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handles!"
-Bob Dylan, Subterranean Homesick Blues
"We could ride and surf together while our love would grow"
-Brian Wilson, Surfer Girl
1.03pm
7 May 2017
Offline In Nowhere Man , if you see the verses written out or in sheet music, they certainly look like AAB. But I hear them more as AAA with some extra syllables and a pause before the next part.
The following people thank Heath for this post:
sir walter raleigh9.14pm
26 January 2017
Offline Good point. I heard the verse as Man/Land/Nobody, but I guess it could be Man/Land/Plans. Same goes for Blind as he can Be/See/Me instead of Be/See/At All.
"The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handles!"
-Bob Dylan, Subterranean Homesick Blues
"We could ride and surf together while our love would grow"
-Brian Wilson, Surfer Girl
1 Guest(s)