Meaning of 'Committed to Parkview'

by Johnny Cash

Interpretation

"Committed to Parkview" is a song by Johnny Cash that is about people living in a psychiatric facility called Parkview. The song describes different individuals and their stories in this facility.

In the lyrics, there is a man mentioned who sits in the room across and stares at the floor all day. He thinks he is Hank Williams and you can hear him singing through the door. There is also a woman who visits me and talks about her songs and her desire to be a star.

There are more people in Parkview, like a girl who has to take strong medication and a former drummer of a superstar who is trying to get off Benzedrine. There is also a boy whose father is never around and who was brought to the facility by his mother.

There are homeless people and wealthier individuals who have chosen to escape the stress of everyday life and seek refuge in Parkview.

The lyrics also mention a woman who cries above me and is so loud that she wakes the dead. It is unclear what has happened to her, but it seems like she has taken something that has robbed her of her sanity. There is also a writer and a singer mentioned who have attempted suicide.

The lyrics show that not everyone in Parkview has been successful or had a choice. Some are here because they chose it themselves, while others were forced.

The days in Parkview are foggy and the nights are dreamlike. The caregivers take good care of the patients and ask them how they are feeling after breakfast in the morning. The narrator always claims to be feeling fantastic and then receives an injection to go back to sleep.

Overall, "Committed to Parkview" is about the different fates and stories of the people living in this psychiatric facility. It shows that everyone has their own challenges and that it is important to be there for those who need help and support."