Meaning of "Lily Marlene" by The Tiger Lillies

The lyrics of "Lily Marlene" by The Tiger Lillies paint a picture of a woman, Lily Marlene, who is constantly surrounded by death and suffering. The references to a dodo, flop, and moron suggest a sense of failure and hopelessness in her surroundings. The mention of the Chelsea Hotel as a recurring setting signifies a place of both comfort and torment for Lily, as she struggles to come to terms with the loss and tragedy that seem to follow her wherever she goes. The repeated references to the blue angel being gone and the sadness of her song suggest that Lily may be grappling with her own inner demons and a deep sense of despair that she can never fully escape. The imagery of boys falling in love in the back-room juxtaposed with the historical references to Germany and the blue angel add layers of complexity to the narrative, hinting at a deeper commentary on love, loss, and the weight of history on the present.