I’ve become obsessed with a 1966 hit by The Statler Brothers: “Flowers on the Wall.” A bluegrassy-sounding song, it won a Grammy that year, and yet it’s weird and chockful of irony. I can’t stop listening to it. See if you think it’s one of the most ironic and sad songs you’ve ever heard:
(Take a look at those Mad Men outfits!)
Anyway, do you know the song or did you just listen? Here are the lyrics:
I keep hearin’ you’re concerned about my happiness
But all that thought you’re givin’ me is conscience I guess
If I were walkin’ in your shoes, I wouldn’t worry none
While you and your friends are worried about me, I’m havin’ lots of fun
Countin’ flowers on the wall
That don’t bother me at all
Playin’ solitaire ’til dawn with a deck of 51
Smokin’ cigarettes and watchin’ Captain Kangaroo
Now don’t tell me, I’ve nothin’ to do
Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the town
As long as I can dream it’s hard to slow this swinger down
So please don’t give a thought to me, I’m really doin’ fine
You can always find me here, I’m havin’ quite a time
Countin’ flowers on the wall
That don’t bother me at all
Playin’ solitaire ’til dawn with a deck of 51
Smokin’ cigarettes and watchin’ Captain Kangaroo
Now don’t tell me, I’ve nothin’ to do
It’s good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright
Anyway my eyes are not accustomed to this light
And my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete
So I must go back to my room and make my day complete
Countin’ flowers on the wall
That don’t bother me at all
Playin’ solitaire ’til dawn with a deck of 51
Smokin’ cigarettes and watchin’ Captain Kangaroo
Now don’t tell me, I’ve nothin’ to do
Don’t tell me, I’ve nothin’ to do
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Lewis Dewitt
Flowers On the Wall lyrics © Unichappell Music Inc.
The song was written by Statler Brothers tenor Lew DeWitt. The lyrics are astonishing with irony (and the sound of a ripping heart) just dripping out of every line. What an amazing description of deep depression.
Do you think the irony makes the story even more tragic?
Can you think of other songs that are equally ironic and yet heartbreaking?
Irony works the same way in poetry (of course). My top choice of an ironic poem is probably Elizabeth Bishop’s “One Art,” a villanelle that is one of my favorites.
One Art The art of losing isn’t hard to master; so many things seem filled with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster. Lose something every day. Accept the fluster of lost door keys, the hour badly spent. The art of losing isn’t hard to master. Then practice losing farther, losing faster: places, and names, and where it was you meant to travel. None of these will bring disaster. I lost my mother’s watch. And look! my last, or next-to-last, of three loved houses went. The art of losing isn’t hard to master. I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster, some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent. I miss them, but it wasn’t a disaster. —Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture I love) I shan’t have lied. It’s evident the art of losing’s not too hard to master though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.
Funny, I just read a different Elizabeth Bishop poem a few minutes ago. This villanelle is really wonderful.
I didn’t know the song. (My husband did.) The lyrics are quite wonderful, but I can’t say I love the song (at least not to listen to over and over). 🙂
It’s an amazing poem. My favorite of hers. Which one did you read? About the song: yeah, you’re not a bluegrass fan, but I am so this song is maple sugar candy for me.
At the Fish Houses https://www.themarginalian.org/2018/08/31/james-gleick-elizabeth-bishop-universe-in-verse/
I remember the song. One of the old heartbreak songs.
I think I vaguely remember it, but I had a transistor radio tuned to Top pop
I didn’t know the song, but agree with your analysis, especially the value of irony. They put me in mind of their contemporaries, The Chad Mitchell Trio
Derrick, thanks for that group! I looked them up. They are great!!! Way more folk music than Statler but I LOVE folk music and I think their satire songs really made you think of them because that tone is so similar to this Statler song!
Yes. I am pleased to have introduced them.
Okay, I’m going to ‘fess up. I’m old enough to remember that song, and in its day I liked listening to it. I thought it was kind of funny at the time because I didn’t really get into the depression side of it as a young person. Both the song and the poem about loss are not meant to be dwelled on too much. We all have down times in our lives, but we need to work through them and come out smiling. Still, doesn’t hurt to admire the art that people have made from it. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Luanne. I haven’t heard that song in decades.
Yes, too much dwelling on loss is so dangerous. In a person who is prone to OCD or PTSD where thoughts travel in ruts it can be particularly bad. But there is a humor to the song that is ingratiating. Like a comic making fun of himself in a way.
That’s right. I agree with everything you’ve said.
At one point, this song was a big part of my adult life. It’s definitely an earworm for me. It must have gotten some air play on whatever radio station I listened to at the time. You’re right that it’s ironic and very sad, with the catchy tune and the vocal harmonies contributing to the irony. The Elizabeth Bishop poem is new to me (and painful to read).
OH, I hope you put the Bishop poem in your list great poems :)! Earworm!!! That’s what it is for me right now. Great harmonies, aren’t they?!!! I keep going back and forth on if the song is only ironic or if it’s as I first felt sarcastic, too. I think it’s sarcastic because there is a feeling that the “speaker” is poking at a human cause of his loss/depression.
I agree that this is a “So there!” song from someone who got dumped.
Yup!!!
I always liked this song and feel whoever is in this state needs some help.
I was just looking it up online and saw that some people think it’s about a man in a mental institution. It does read as if it could be that–or just anyone isolating from depression. I agree: that person pushing everyone away is the one that needs help.
Thanks, Luanne.
I’ve never heard this song before. It’s unique but I have to wonder if the real meaning was lost on the audience– or am I selling those people short? Did they get the irony?
Ah good point. I think when most people listen to a song on the radio which is how they would’ve heard this one they don’t pay a lot of attention to what a song is about. So I bet you are right!
I have to admit I never thoroughly digested Flowers on the Wall, but it’s always been one of my favorites to hum along!
I can’t ever remember words…I won’t ever hear it again without remembering your take on it. Bravo.
It’s quite the earworm! I was just mentioning above that most people don’t really pay attention when they hear a song on the radio.
I knew this song well, but it must have been a cover version. I love the way the Statlers come in high and cutesy. Perhaps I knew Pat Boone’s which is quite different.
But I never really thought about the words until you brought attention to it. I love, love, love the reference to playing solitaire with a deck of 51. One card is missing. Subtle. Love it.
Roy Orbison with “Crying” makes his heartbreak much more obvious.
You’ve just ruined my ears! I checked out the Pat Boone version. Good grief it’s awful! I had no idea he had such a bad voice or maybe it’s not the right song for him. When I was ten many of the other girls in my class had a crush on him. His voice is boring, too! I love that one card short of a full deck reference too hahaha.
Sorreeee. Actually, we never had a record player at home, but I know one of my classmates was frustrated because his parents played Pat Boone over and over…
LOL! So glad my mom preferred Bobby Vinton.
Just reading the lyrics, I did not recognize the song and agreed with your take on it – depressing ! (And the poem, too – maybe it needs a catchy tune😁). Then I listened to it and recognized it. It does not come off the same, for sure, as reading it.
Yeah the juxtaposition really makes it easier like a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down haha. I know someone who makes hilarious jokes when times are very dark. Very similar.
That is quite a song and it certainly gets the point across. It has the kind of tune you don’t forget once you have heard it. The poem is much the same, not the sort you would forget. It also gets the point across loud and clear! The last stanza says it all.
I first heard earworm as the German Ohrwurm. It’s such a perfect word for tunes like this! In the poem I love how she leads up to that last stanza, taking us to the loss of her lover kind of unaware!!!
I know this song. We used to sing it at camp when I was young enough to focus only on the chorus and the seeming humor of it (it is pretty funny, and anything that mentioned Captain Kangaroo has a special place in my heart). I never thought about how sad it really is until I read your post.
And I finally found a quiet day to read your poems. I will email you.
I don’t know why I didn’t respond, but I don’t remember reading your comment either. WordPress!!! I know. The Captain Kangaroo is very cool. I loved that silly show.
And it took me this long to see your reply!!
I remember this song, but I never knew all the lyrics so I’m glad you included them in your post. I just remember the chorus and how I thought those lyrics were odd. Generally, the song has a “peppy” beat and I can imagine people were more attracted to the music than the lyrics.
Of course, now that I read the lyrics, all I can think is “poor soul!” It makes me think of a breakup where the guy runs into his ex-girlfriend and tries to project an image of being okay but instead essentially confesses that he spends his time smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo among other things. I’m sure I heard songs similar to this. Right now Roy Orbison’s Crying comes to mind although it’s not so ironic, if at all.
Thanks, Marie. I guess I didn’t get a notification that you posted this (and a few others here, too grr). I think that there really isn’t a lot of irony in pop music, and I didn’t realize until I tried to think of other songs!
I remember the song well. It was a catchy tune. Depression? I think they were writing about their music that was being swallowed up by Janis Joplin, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac….and many others.
That’s an interesting theory, Jennie! Yes, their music was being replaced by a whole new type of music–and image.
Yes! Best to you, Luanne.
Hi Luanne. You might enjoy Susan Cain’s new book, Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Can Make Us Whole. (I just reviewed it). I love Roy Orbison’s crying. I’ve never heard Flowers on the Wall. I don’t quite hear the melancholy as much as others such as: Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers.
Evelyn, I’m so sorry. I never got a notification of your post, so it was only when I got one today for someone who posted today that I saw your comment! Yes, I agree that this song does not have a melancholy sound to it. Because of the irony, the listener has to pay attention to the words and see how tragic the gap between trying to sound “ok” and being absolutely not ok is. Interesting about the book you reviewed. I just went over and read your review. I’ll have to put the book on my Goodreads to read list!
I like your description, Luanne. I don’t usually think of “irony” in a song. Thanks for reading my post. Wishing you a creative and soulful New Year!
Thank you. You too!
There is a book with a similar name about a woman who poisons her kids slowly: Fl?ower in the ….
Is it Flowers in the Attic? I read that book so many years ago that I can’t remember it, but I keep thinking I should read it again.