The song Blinded by the Light was the starting point for the peak of the musical glory of Manfred Mann.
Rock and roll legends made the song more energetic and dynamic thanks to the use of synthesizers and electronic music. Also inserts with guitar solos gave new sensations from listening to the song.
The song “Blinded by the Light” was released in 1973 by folk rock artist Bruce Stringsteen, for his album “Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ” Bruce released the song as a single and hoped that “Blinded by the Light” would become a hit. But the song did not receive the proper evaluation from the listener.
After 3 years, the band’s vocalist Manfred Mann accidentally heard this song on the radio and suggested that the band record their own version for the album “The Roaring Silence”. When Manfred Mann was recording the song, they changed a few words in the lyrics and added their own instrumental passages. They also increased the speed of the song to make it more rhythmic. As a result, the cover version turned out to be more energetic than the original.
The lyrics to “Blinded by the Light” were written by Bruce Springsteen long before the famous Manfred Man cover. The song consists of metaphors and figurative expressions that are not clear and difficult to understand.
According to Bruce, he came up with the lyrics while looking through a rhyming dictionary. But in each verse there is a certain meaning that the author laid down. “This is a song about faith and hope in yourself,” he said. If you think about it, Bruce wanted to describe his difficult path that every person has in his youth. His choice, dreams, aspirations. Difficulties that are encountered on the path of life, which warn of a cherished dream.
But in the cover version of the Manfred Man group, they didn’t really listen to the words of the song. “I decided not to analyze the song too much, so as not to think that it is superior to our version,” said Manfred. Thus, some phrases in the song became strange and ambiguous. For example, the phrase “Cut loose like a deuce” became “Wrapped up like a deuce” in “Wrapped up like a deuce”.
The song begins with a repeated chorus:
Chorus:
Blinded by the light.
Revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night.
The chorus describes the state of a person blinded by a bright light “blinded by the light” – this is a metaphor. The first version of this metaphor tells us that the protagonist is overwhelmed by emotions, blinded by them. The second version relates light to withdrawal from drugs (photophobia).
“Revved up like a deuce” – these words can be interpreted in different ways. In one case, the words “rev” and “up” mean “to gas”. And “deuce” refers to a 1932 Ford car (“deuce coupe”). These lines have been replaced by Manfred Mann.
Another runner in the night. The meaning of this line can be understood as “runner in the night” or “racer in the night.”
Verse 1 begins with the lines:
Madman drummers’ bummers and Indians in the summer with a teenage diplomat
In the dumps with the mumps as the adolescent pumps his way into his hat
“Madman drummers” are drummers who play too loud and intense.
“Bummers” are losers, often in a difficult situation.
“Indians in the summer” are probably native Americans who can be in a difficult situation, especially during the hot season.
“Teenage diplomat” is a young person who may be in the position of a diplomat, or simply has ambitions in this direction.
“In the dumps with the mumps” is a description of the mumps disease, which can cause depression.
“Adolescent pumps his way into his hat” is a metaphor for a young man trying to be successful.
The second verse describes a meeting with a woman and a music manager who says that the person has potential and will be able to succeed.
Some silicone sisters with a manager mister told me I got what it takes.
She said, «I’ll turn you on sonny, to something strong, play the song with the funky break.»
And go-cart Mozart was checking out the weather chart to see if it was safe to go outside.
And little Early-Pearly came by in his curly-wurly and asked me if I needed a ride.
“Silicone sister” is a metaphor for a fake, “silicone” girl/sister.
“Manager Mister” These words translate literally – “music manager”
Play the song with the funky break. Manfred’s band added electronic music to the song. “Funky break” is a genre of electronic music that became popular later.
“Go-cart Mozart” is a metaphor that describes a person with musical talents.
“Little Early-Pearly”. These words can be interpreted as “a friend who can always be asked for advice”
The last verse begins with the lines:
«Some brimstone baritone anticyclone rolling stone Preacher from the east Says, «Dethrone the dictaphone, hit it in its funny bone That’s where they expect it least.»
In these lines, we are aware of the words of a preacher who wants to abandon technology and return everyone to simple times. He talks about “overthrowing the recorder” – that is, abandoning modern technology, and hitting their “funny bone” where they can be vulnerable.
«And some new-mown chaperone was standin’ in the corner Watching the young girls dance.»
This line describes the new “cropped” senior who stands in the corner and watches the dancing girls.
«And some fresh-sown moonstone was messin’ with his frozen zone Reminding him of romance.»
This line is a metaphor. She tells us that young couples are more looking for love and romance than older generations.
«The calliope crashed to the ground.»
“Calliope” is a musical instrument often used at fairs and carnivals. This is a metaphor that indicates a failure in established traditions.
In general, the song “Blinded by the Light” is a hero’s journey to his dream, where various obstacles, people, accomplishments meet on his way.
