Song Meaning

The narrator is counting down four train days until they can return to New Orleans. The immediate vibe is one of eager anticipation, fueled by simple sustenance like "greens and beans." There's a palpable sense of escapism, with the promise of "fishwater" and "fish stew" acting as potent symbols of homecoming and indulgence. This isn't just about a place; it's about a specific, almost primal, sensory experience tied to returning. The core tension lies in the narrator's persistent "still want more." This refrain, repeated after descriptions of returning and indulging, suggests a deeper dissatisfaction or an insatiable craving that even the anticipated pleasures of New Orleans can't fully quench. It hints at a desire that transcends the physical act of drinking or eating, perhaps a longing for a state of being or a resolution that remains just out of reach. The lyrics paint a vivid, if slightly disorienting, picture of Bourbon Street. The observation, "Can't tell which mens turns womens there / And which womens just turns mean," introduces an element of ambiguity and perhaps even danger. This contrasts sharply with the earlier, simpler desires for food and drink, suggesting that the allure of New Orleans also carries a complex, unpredictable undercurrent that the narrator is both drawn to and wary of. This song hits hard because it captures that universal feeling of yearning for a place that represents both comfort and a certain wildness. The narrator's simple, almost childlike, focus on "fishwater" and "fish stew" grounds the grander desire to "dream my way on back" and "spend my life down there." The repeated "still want more" acts as a powerful echo, leaving the listener with the lingering sense that the narrator's quest for fulfillment is ongoing, even in the heart of their desired destination.