Everyone on this board seems so knowledgeable about everything to do with the Stones that I've been a bit too intimidated to ask this question. I believe BoBM was giving me some grief about this saying no matter what I read it was sealing wax and what the heck is ceiling wax? Well, I never read it anywhere it's just what I've heard for the last 25 some odd years I've been rockin out to the Stones. As to "what the heck is ceiling wax?" I thought that was the whole point. The father is waisting his time inventing something of no use. Am I that wrong? (I hate being wrong). I'd greatly appricate an answer. Thanks in advance,Susan cw

I think Sealing wax is like Calk....(??)

Well, Susan, these folks agree with YOU:

[www.hotlyrics.net]

[www.oldielyrics.com]

Thanks, I really want to know what y'all think though, not those lyric sites. I think (oh no, there I go again) they get them wrong some of the time.

I think it's sealing wax, used to put the seal on official letter, etc.

I've always thought it was sealing wax.

Interesting that this site below has it both ways!

[home.swipnet.se]

I don't know what ceiling wax might be but
sealing wax refers to when folks would send actual letters to each
other in an envelope. When you sealed the envelope,
you would put some hot sealing wax on the envelope flap
and then place stick your ring in the wax so folks would know it
was from you. If the seal was broken before the receiver opened the
envelope, they would know someone had tampeered with the note.

I guess this was an early attempt at protecting yourself from hackers ....
Gee, do I feel old now!!





Marv Peck

Y'all remember that rubber legged boy

I see your point Susan about ceiling wax being useless, so the lyric makes sense using that context. But, marvpeck is correct about sealing wax for envelopes. And, "perfecting ways of making" it would also seem useless since the already-made stuff works just fine. Why re-invent the wheel?

This could be one of those questions that can never be truly answered. Very similar in that way to the "Hair Implants" question!

Karl

'Don’t forget, if you’re on your bike, wear white'

Update: A little research indicates that "ceiling wax" is a term used for a special type of wax used by magicians to stick cards on the ceiling. So, to my way of thinking, one could want to "perfect" ceiling wax so as to make the trick more consistently successful.

Karl


Oh, and this ceiling/sealing (known as a homophone) is also an issue in the lyrics to "Puff the Magic Dragon".



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2005-09-15 21:14 by KSIE.

Thank you. I do appreciate the cool info. Susan cw

the biggest trouble with taking lyrics sites' (and rock writers') word for anything
is that they all copy mistakes from each other.
i've never doubted it was sealing wax -
and just for the record ... the father isn't "waisting" his time. :E


"What do you want - what?!"
- Keith

I think Jagger mentions something about 'ceiling wax' in 19th Nervous Breakdown too? Something about a father making a living or something 'from ceiling wax?

I ain't stupid, I'm just guitarded.

um ... that's what we're discussing, RankOutsider:
"your father's still perfecting ways of making sealing wax" -
19th Nervous Breakdown. a Jagger/Richards tune.



"What do you want - what?!"
- Keith

Man, I'm really on the ball today LOL First Keith Moon and now 'sealing wax.

I ain't stupid, I'm just guitarded.

"And your father's still perfecting ways of making CEILING WAX"
19th Nervous Breakdown

As written in The Rolling Stones Singles Collection - The London Years song lyrics book that came with the box set.

If I'm not mistaken Charlie Watts' father worked in some way or another making sealing wax. I read it in a book somewhere and I still have all the books that I've read but it is too many to find out right now. When I locate it in the book I will make another post. But if anyone else knows which book makes the reference please let us know. P.S. I'm almost 100% positive.

most certainly "sealing wax"

it's sealing wax...google either term and you'll see that the Stones wouldv'e really been coinin a new term with "ceiling wax" and that "perfecting sealing wax" makes perfect sense

ROLLING STONES LYRICS

19TH NERVOUS BREAKDOWN

Recording date: December 3 - 8 1965, First Release: Single, February 4, 1966
Lead Vocals: Mick Jagger Electric Guitars: Keith Richards & Brian Jones Bass: Bill Wyman Drums: Charlie Watts Background Vocals: Keith Richards

19TH NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
(Jagger/Richards)

You're the kind of person
You meet at certain dismal dull affairs.
Center of a crowd, talking much too loud
Running up and down the stairs.
Well, it seems to me that you have seen too much in too few years.
And though you've tried you just can't hide
Your eyes are edged with tears.

You better stop
Look around
Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes, here it comes
Here comes your nine-teenth nervous breakdown.

When you were a child
You were treated kind
But you were never brought up right.
You were always spoiled with a thousand toys
But still you cried all night.
Your mother who neglected you
Owes a million dollars tax.
And your father's still perfecting ways of making sealing wax.

You better stop, look around
Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes, here it comes
Here comes your nilne-teenth nervous breakdown.

Oh, who's to blame, that girl's just insane.
Well nothing I do don't seem to work,
It only seems to make matters worse. Oh please.

You were still in school
When you had that fool
Who really messed your mind.
And after that you turned your back
On treating people kind.
On our first trip
I tried so hard to rearrange your mind.
But after while I realized you were disarranging mine.

You better stop, look around
Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes, here it comes
Here comes your nine-teenth nervous breakdown.
Here comes your nine-teenth nervous breakdown
Here comes your nine-teenth nervous breakdown


As with Ssoul stated it has always been sealing wax but the song is a cocophony of guitar layered sounds
that the Stones were perfecting in the studio mid 60's

Ceiling Wax: You have the right idea on the point of the lyric in the song, but you slightly miss the point. The father is not spending his time inventing something that is meaningless, but rather he is wasting his time trying to find a better way of making something so basic and simple that it can't be improved upon.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2005-09-17 18:26 by BOBM.