The Meaning Behind The Song: Furniture Man by Jake Xerxes Fussell
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The Meaning Behind The Song: Furniture Man by Jake Xerxes Fussell
What kind of business has the poor man gotDealing with the furniture man?
Well, he’s got no dough
And it will stand to show
And I expect the wagon’s gonna stand
This piano and everything
Mister Cupper had it written under my name
So take your time, Mister Brown
Take your time
The furniture man, he came to my house
It was last Sunday morn’
He asked me if my wife was at home
I told him she had long been gone
He backed the wagon up to the door
And he took everything I had
He hauled it back to the furniture store
Honey, I did feel bad
He took everything from an earthenware plate
From a bedtick, to a frying pan
And if there ever was a devil who’d been born without horns
Well, he must have been a furniture man
So take your time, Mister Brown
Take your time
All this furniture is mine
Well, this piano and everything
Mister Cupper had it written under my name
So take your time, Mister Brown
Take your time
Album title: What in the Natural World (2017)
Song Information
| Title | Artist | Writer/Composer | Album | Release Date | Genre | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture Man | Jake Xerxes Fussell | Traditional | What in the Natural World | 2017 | Pop | Jake Xerxes Fussell |
When listening to Jake Xerxes Fussell’s “Furniture Man,” one is immediately struck by its storytelling quality and the raw emotion conveyed through its lyrics. The song speaks to the struggles of the working-class, particularly the poor man fighting against the actions of the wealthy furniture man.
The first verse sets the stage by questioning the poor man’s business with the furniture man, implying a power dynamic and a possible exploitation. The poor man’s lack of financial means is emphasized, suggesting that he is at a disadvantage from the start. The repetition of “take your time” throughout the song further highlights the power imbalance and the poor man’s powerlessness in the face of the furniture man.
In the second verse, we witness the furniture man’s intrusion into the poor man’s life. The absence of the poor man’s wife reveals an underlying story of loss and hardship. When the furniture man takes everything the poor man possesses, we cannot help but empathize with his despair and sadness. The lyrics vividly describe the furniture man hauling away every item, from a simple earthenware plate to a frying pan, further emphasizing the scale of the loss the poor man experiences.
The line, “And if there ever was a devil who’d been born without horns, well, he must have been a furniture man,” adds a touch of bitterness and resentment towards the furniture man. It suggests that the poor man sees the furniture man as someone inherently evil, devoid of empathy and compassion. This line captures the deep emotional impact of the furniture man’s actions on the poor man’s life.
On a personal level, “Furniture Man” resonates with me because it speaks to the universal experience of loss, both material and emotional. It conjures memories of times when I have felt powerless and taken advantage of by others who held more power and resources. These feelings of helplessness and frustration are articulated beautifully through Fussell’s heartfelt delivery and the simplicity of the song’s structure.
Despite the melancholic tone, there is also a sense of resilience and defiance in “Furniture Man.” The poor man’s voice is not silenced; he expresses his pain and frustration through his words, asserting his ownership of the furniture. By reclaiming his identity and expressing his discontent, the poor man challenges the authority and actions of the furniture man.
In conclusion, “Furniture Man” by Jake Xerxes Fussell is a poignant song that explores themes of power, loss, and resilience. Its lyrics paint a vivid picture of the struggles faced by the working-class, particularly those taken advantage of by those in positions of privilege. Through its powerful storytelling and emotional delivery, the song resonates with listeners and invites reflection on our own experiences with power dynamics and loss.
References:
1. “Furniture Man” by Jake Xerxes Fussell (Lyrics)
2. “What in the Natural World” by Jake Xerxes Fussell (Album)
3. Song Credits
