Noguchi

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a public figure, Thomas Noguchi, whose fame seems to stem from a high-profile, yet ultimately questionable, career. He's described as someone who "likes the attention" and has "made quite a name" for himself, even appearing on Dick Cavett. This initial portrayal sets up a contrast with the grim realities of his actual work: dealing with "cadavers," "jewelry was stolen," and a "severed hand lost in the county morgue." The central tension arises from the discrepancy between Noguchi's public persona and the nature of his job as Chief Coroner. The lyrics suggest he was more interested in the "front page" than the grim tasks at hand, noting he was "not at his job" but rather "off at the barber or attending a luncheon." This highlights a perceived dereliction of duty amidst serious circumstances. A striking element is the direct comparison made in the fifth verse. The narrator agrees that the job is "dirty" but insists it should be done with more integrity, specifically contrasting Noguchi with the fictional Jack Klugman on "Quincy, M.E." This fictional counterpart represents a more dedicated, perhaps even heroic, approach to the macabre responsibilities. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their stark juxtaposition of celebrity and the grim reality of death investigation. The final lines, expressing a desire "won't die like Belushi" and have "won't have Noguchi cutting on me," underscore a profound distrust, turning Noguchi into a cautionary figure associated with a fear of dying improperly or being handled disrespectfully in death.