Song Meaning
The narrator paints a stark contrast between two places, immediately establishing a preference for Michigan. The water there is likened to "sherry wine," a sophisticated and pleasant comparison. This is immediately juxtaposed with Mississippi water, described as "turpentine," evoking a harsh, unpleasant, and perhaps even toxic quality. This initial sensory detail sets up a clear emotional and geographical divide.
The lyrics then introduce a complex female figure, described with a "black cat bone," suggesting a mysterious or even supernatural allure. She's someone who leaves but inevitably returns, hinting at a powerful, perhaps addictive, hold over the narrator. This enigmatic presence is directly tied back to the comforting image of Michigan water, implying she is somehow connected to this preferred place or feeling.
The narrator's description of this woman becomes increasingly peculiar, noting she "looks like a frog, hops like a kangaroo." This bizarre imagery, coupled with the line "If you ain't got no hopper / Then she'll be your hopper too," suggests a versatile, perhaps opportunistic, or even predatory nature. She seems to adapt to whoever she's with, offering a form of companionship or satisfaction, yet the strangeness of the description keeps the narrator at a distance, reinforcing the safety found in the simple, pure image of Michigan water.
The scope of the narrator's romantic entanglements expands to include women in "Alabama" and "Spain," and one in "Mississippi" he's "scared to call her name." This widespread, yet fraught, romantic landscape makes the recurring, almost mantra-like, declaration that "Michigan water tastes like sherry wine" feel like an anchor. It's a constant, reliable pleasure amidst a confusing and potentially dangerous world of relationships, offering a pure, uncomplicated source of comfort.
View Artist