It's Not Just the Size of a Walnut Releases Gigs Lyrics Comments

Details

Author
Robyn Hitchcock
According to our records, Robyn has played this song 9 times, most recently at Robyn & Emma's house on December 18, 2024. He first performed it at Alma on November 06, 1976, 48 years and 1 month earlier.
Title Artist Label Type Year
The Soft Boys 1976-1981 The Soft Boys Rykodisc Album 1993
Patreon 2022 Robyn Hitchcock Internet 2022
Venue Billed As City State Country Date
Alma Dennis and the Experts Cambridge England UK 11/06/1976
Alma The Soft Boys Cambridge England UK 07/07/1977
The Royal Hotel The Soft Boys Luton England UK 08/12/1977
Alma The Soft Boys Cambridge England UK 09/02/1977
Private House (St. Louis) Robyn Hitchcock St. Louis Missouri US 09/24/2016
Robyn and Emma's house Robyn Hitchcock & Emma Swift London England UK 04/21/2021
Robyn and Emma's house Robyn Hitchcock London England UK 08/04/2021
Robyn and Emma's house Robyn Hitchcock London England UK 06/03/2022
Robyn & Emma's house Robyn Hitchcock & Emma Swift Nashville Tennessee US 12/18/2024

Comments

From Robyn on Patreon in 2022
I wrote this in the drought summer of 1976 right before the Soft Boys crystallised. It was one of the first original songs that we learned, when we were still Dennis & The Experts. Me being Dennis, natch…

I had a crush on somebody and I didn’t want her - or anybody else - to know; but I still wanted to express how I felt. As I learned, there’s a big gap between expression and communication. I think I succeeded well in masking my true feelings from the world at large. My words aren’t so much a smokescreen as a mist: I’m diffusing the specific circumstances, but hopefully the intention shimmers through.

We played this song for about 6 months, but as the angst of punk rock engulfed even us those of us embedded in Cambridge, the Size Of A Walnut began to seem like an antique when we played live. Still, we resurrected it for our ill-starred Radar Album, as far as I can remember. I think it really works best as I first played it, solo acoustic. You can’t beat a good antique.

Lyrics

There's something that's lurked in the side of my mind
Since the day before we ever met
A panther of shadows obscene and unkind
I'll keep it for you as a pet

Everybody needs my nose                         
But no one knows my needs
Including you babe
And your daddy's in charge of the oyster party
Well, well well, the oyster party
Your mama's in league with the lobster gang       
Bang bang bang the lobster gang

Baby, I'm telling you true
This feeling I feel about you
It's not just the size of a walnut

If true love exists than it shouldn't take long   
It incubates under a shroud
It rips like a ray on the slit of her thong
And boluses over the crowd

Everybody needs your meat
But no one meets your needs                       
Including Kenneth
And your brother was part or a filing cabinet
Big, thick steak, a filing cabinet
Your sister was the filet of a juicy crown
Lips meet steak when the doggy's around           

Baby, I'm telling you true
This feeling I feel about you
It's not just the size of a walnut

So think of me sweetly and polish your soul
That I may be blinded with love                   
As long as I'm hungry, I'll never get old
And God knows I'm hungry enough

Everybody clocks your want
But no one wants your clock
Except for someone                                
And your lover was part of the hormone squad
Urge urge urge, the hormone squad
His kittens fell foul of the football team
Bash smash crash, plaster caveman

Baby, I'm telling you true                        
This feeling I feel about you
It's not just the size of a walnut