Don't Start Me Talking: Lyrics 1984–
2004
by Paul Kelly
Student notes prepared for VATE members’
students by Clare Crowe
CONTENTS
1.
Perspective on the text
Page
2
2.
Questions to Consider
Page
4
3.
Two Guided Essay responses
Page
6
Page numbers in these notes refer to Don’t Start Me Talking: Lyrics 1984-2004 by Paul Kelly,
Allen & Unwin, 2004
Purchasers may copy Inside Stories for classroom use
VATE Inside Stories Student Guide
Section 1.
A Perspective on Don’t Start MeTalking
The compendium of Paul Kelly's lyrics entitled Don't Start Me Talking is a candid
commentary on the issues affecting many Australians who daily struggle to abide by
their own beliefs and values. Kelly’s use of local references coupled with the
vernacular enables him to use his poetry to explore the issues and stories of ordinary
citizens without either excessive details or exaggeration.
Kelly writes with a local language in mind, focusing on the thoughts and behaviours of
his characters in familiar settings. This is evidenced in his poems of sport and
Australian cities, where cultural icons such as cricket are held to be unifying forces for
a nation wracked with drought and financial hardship. 'Don't fret about the rain/Hold
your credit over at the store' he writes in Behind the Bowler’s Arm (p.180). The
narrator of this poem explains that although he has had a 'hard year/pushing shit
uphill', his love for the game of cricket helps him to overcome these woes, as he
explains that 'there’s no other place (he'd) rather be/But right behind the bowlers arm.'
Kelly romanticises cities and memories as his characters yearn for familiar settings,
such as in From St Kilda to Kings Cross (p.3), where the narrator wishes to depart
Sydney for St Kilda Esplanade, Melbourne, 'Where the beach needs reconstruction,
where the palm trees have it hard'. In his poem Bradman (pp.43–5), the narrator
describes with almost religious fervour the story of Donald Bradman, a 'kid in from the
sticks', who Australians flocked to see play and fathers and sons 'never lost the roar of
the grandstand'.
Reflection on life and death plays a significant role in Kelly's poetry, most particularly
in his recent albums Professor Ratbaggy and Ways and Means. Heaven is often
viewed from the perspective of the sinner contemplating his past transgressions.
'Many times I've stumbled/Many times I've fallen down' notes the narrator in My Way
Is to You (p.288), but he recalls that 'the dream' of the next life has always supported
him. The narrator is often hopeful that his misdemeanours will be forgiven, revealing
that it is in fact the narrator who has trouble forgiving himself. This is explored in the
poem To Be Good Takes a Long Time (p.280) where the narrator reminds himself to
take it 'One day, then another/One step at a time' in his struggles. In Forty-Eight
Angels (p.285), Kelly portrays death as twelve angels 'coming for to carry me away'
bringing deliverance from the toil of life.
Kelly reflects on the nature of greed in our society and at times advises the reader to
contemplate the values and morals which drive us all. In his poem Be Careful What
You Pray For (p.207), Kelly's narrator reminds the reader that the attainment of
success can attract jealousy, which in turn can cause the loss of many friends. In You
Can't Take It With You (p.71), we are reminded that possessions and superficial
values carry little worth, and are certainly worthless in the next life. At times the
narrator worries over his past actions, as in the poem If I Could Start Today Again
(p.241) where the character longs 'To unsay the things I said/Undo the things I did', in
order to free himself from his mistakes. The narrator often demonstrates intense
regret for his past actions, as in the poem I Wish I Was a Train (p.265) where the train
represents a separation from past indiscretions.
The characters of Don't Start Me Talking speak of love, albeit at times of a passion
that is either unrequited or long faded, leaving the character perplexed as to why this
occurred. In the poem I Can't Believe We Were Married (p.106), the narrator reflects
on the demise of a relationship that was once passionate as they danced to Marvin
VATE Inside Stories Student Guide
Don’t Start Me Talking: Lyrics 1984-2004
2
Gaye, but now the couple’s conversations are 'dry, so measured and polite' as they
focus on the daily concerns of their children. In Winter Coat (p.98), it is the memory of
love that satisfies the narrator 'when it gets freezing', as he reflects that sometimes
love is transient, survived only by our possessions, or stories. At times Kelly instructs
the reader as how best to romance, as in Satisfy Your Woman (p.11) where the
narrator warns 'If you don't treat your woman right/Out of the blue one day she's
gonna go'. Kelly often uses the theme of love to highlight the frustration and inability
of men to rescue themselves from isolation and frustration. In No You (p.80) the
narrator turns to alcohol and cigarettes in order to quell his unhappiness over his
departed lover. In Every Fucking City (pp.256–7), the narrator drinks heavily as he
desperately pursues an old flame around Europe, and in Stories of Me (p.39), the
narrator struggles with the realisation of the impact of his horrific actions towards his
partner.
Finally, Kelly comments on the face of racism within Australia, focusing on the past
and present treatment of Aboriginal Australians. In From Little Things Big Things
Grow written with Kev Carmody (pp.107–8) Kelly writes about the Wattie Creek
Gurindji people who were successful in their battle to gain ownership of their native
land. Kelly continues to call his readers/listeners to attention on the issue of land
rights, for example, the narrator of Treaty (p.114) states 'I'm dreaming of a brighter
day/When the waters will be one/Treaty, now/Treaty, yeah.' Kelly examines the
treatment of Aboriginals in the past, focusing his poem Pigeon/Jundamurra (p.83) on
the story of a search for a prison escapee, as recounted by a white police officer who
speaks with contempt for the man who 'turned against his master'.
The poetry of Paul Kelly focuses on the beliefs and values of people as they grapple
with their sometime chaotic lives. Kelly's sparse structure and free-flowing verse uses
the voice of a narrator as a means of conveying to the reader an understanding of the
elation and disappointment of his characters as they ponder their fate and love.
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Section 2. Questions to Consider
Discussion and essay questions
The following questions can be used for class or group discussion, as debating
topics, for oral presentations or as practice essay topics.
Part 1
'The narrator of Kelly's poetry is acutely aware of his effect on the world.'
Discuss.
'The unnamed narrator enables Kelly to expose the powerless nature of men.'
Discuss.
'Rather than embracing what the future might hold, Kelly's characters cherish the
past.'
Is this true of the characters in Don't Start Me Talking (p.97)?
'Kelly's characters preach advice which they do not appear to take themselves.'
Do you agree with this observation?
'The characters of Kelly's poems are ensnared in lives of disappointment and
loneliness.'
Discuss.
'There is little happiness in the world of Kelly's characters.'
Do you agree?
'In what way does Kelly manage to convey the struggle of everyday people?'
'The characters of Kelly's poetry hold their fortune in their own hands.'
Discuss.
'Loneliness is the greatest issue for the characters of Kelly's poetry.'
Discuss.
'Kelly's characters prefer to ignore the results of their actions.'
Discuss.
Part 2
'Kelly's poetry reveals the disintegration of communities.'
Do you agree?
'The people of Kelly's poetry are brave, daring to face their transgressions.'
Discuss.
'Kelly's poetry challenges the reader to reflect their own moral code.'
Do you agree?
'Kelly’s poetry gives voice to the continuing struggle of Aboriginal Australians.'
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Discuss.
'Kelly's poetry exposes the intolerance of Australian people.'
Do you agree?
'Kelly's poetry shows that personal integrity is vital to living a happy life.'
Discuss.
'The poetry of Paul Kelly illustrates the danger of succumbing to greed.'
Discuss.
'Kelly writes about the manner in which some people manipulate those closest to
them.'
Do you agree?
'Kelly's poetry demonstrates that love is the key to happiness.'
Do you agree?
'Kelly's poetry asks us to consider our own mortality.'
Discuss.
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Section 3. Two Guided Essay Responses
1. 'The characters of Kelly's poems desperately want to be good.'
Discuss.
 Approaching the topic
Examine the wording of the question. Firstly, as this topic refers to ‘characters’, it is
clear that you must comment on the people in Kelly's poetry. The next segment of the
topic to look at is the phrase 'want to be good'. You must decide if you agree with this
point. For the purposes of this task, let us assume you agree, and thus your
contention for this essay could be simply: The characters of Kelly's poems desperately
want to be good.
 Locating your material
It would be useful perhaps to link this aspect of the topic to relevant themes, such as
Religion and Values/Ethics. Go through your notes and jot down at least four points on
each of these two themes. Ensure that you have referred to a minimum of three
poems.
 Organising your material
The planning and preparation of your material is paramount. Now that you have
divided your material into the relevant themes, you need to break this information
down further. For each theme, list your four points, then for each of those points;
clearly outline the example (section of a poem) to which you will be referring.
Remember, if you cannot support the point with an example from one of the poems,
then it will not serve any purpose in your essay.
Your notes on Religion might look as follows:
Point one: Views of Heaven
Last Train to Heaven (p.21)
The narrator is a sinner seeking redemption and is keen to be seen as a good person.
Forty-Eight Angels (p.285)
The narrator is happy that the angels are coming to accompany him to Heaven.
Point two: The Sinner
Shy Before You, Lord (p.229)
This poem documents the narrator's explanation to his Creator why he did not heed
the call. It is clear that he wants to be accepted into Heaven.
Last Train to Heaven (p.21)
Again the narrator is a sinner who has recognised this is his last chance to redeem
himself and thus gain entry to Heaven.
 Writing your essay
It is invaluable to use a formal essay structure with an introduction, topic sentences,
clear paragraphs, references to evidence and a conclusion that neatly confirms your
contention. For this essay, now that your contention and material are organised, it
would be useful to organise topic sentences. Once again, begin simply and you can
restructure the sentences or vary your vocabulary later.
Topic Sentence One: Kelly's characters describe in detail their impressions of
Heaven, indicating that they wish to be viewed as ethical and decent in order to gain
entry. Then launch into your first point…
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Topic Sentence Two: The Sinner has recognised that in order to be good and enter
Heaven, he must repent and explain his transgressions. Then launch into your first
point…
 Completing your essay: final notes
Follow a similar structure for the collation of information and the creation of your next
two paragraphs, using the themes of Values and Ethics. It is important to remember
to sum up each point, which can easily be achieved by referring back to your
contention: The characters of Kelly's poems want desperately to be good and add in
your most recent point because they want to gain entry to Heaven or and they
recognise that they must repent…
 Essay Writing Activity
Using these notes, write your own essay on the topic.
2. 'Don't Start Me Talking contemplates the effect of love in our
lives.'
Discuss.
 Approaching the topic
Check you understand the topic: ‘contemplates’ = considers, ponders, reflects on; ‘the
effect of love’ = whether we are happy, bad or sad, and perhaps our ability to make
effective decisions; ‘in our lives’ = clearly to do with life, rather than death. Form a
contention based on your understanding. For instance, you might write: Kelly's poetry
focuses on the manner in which love can at times cause people to become frustrated
and isolated. This contention would then neatly permit you to incorporate material on
Kelly's presentation of men who have been in some way ruined by their pursuit of
love. You could also discuss the manner in which women are affected by love in a
violent relationship.
 Locating your material
Look through your notes to find material on the character of the desolate male and the
mistreated woman. Ensure you have enough material for three paragraphs on
substance abuse and love; the rejected lover; the violent lover. You will need one or
two examples for each of those points.
 Organising your material
As in the previous essay activity, break your notes down into manageable amounts:
Point one: Substance abuse and love
No You (p.80)
He is unhappy due to an unsuccessful relationship.
Reference to cigarettes and alcohol.
Every Fucking City (pp.256–7)
He is also unhappy and drinks cerveza.
Point two: The rejected lover
Same Old Walk (pp.50–1)
He still yearns for an old girlfriend, even though she has a new partner.
Winter Coat (p.98)
The exception to the rule (in this essay) as in this poem is that the relationship no
longer exists, yet the man is happy to reflect on what he had.
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Point three: The violent lover
Stories of Me (p.39)
The male character awakes to discover the police at his door reminding him of the
horror he has just created.
Sweet Guy (pp.72–3)
The female character ruminates and asks why her lover mistreats her. This could be
written as a separate paragraph.
 Writing your essay
Remember to organise topic sentences for each paragraph. Put simply, these might
merely be your contention restated with an indication of your points for these
paragraphs. For instance, for paragraph one: The frustration and isolation of the
unnamed male narrator in Kelly's poetry is at times revealed in a dependence on
drugs in order to deal with unresolved romances. Notice that there is a reference to
love (romance), a character (unnamed male narrator), the contention (that this causes
frustration and isolation) and finally, the discussion points for the paragraph that will
refer to drugs.
 Completing your essay: final notes
Remember to provide a brief summary at the end of each paragraph: Kelly's
unnamed male narrator deals with the sometimes negative effects of love by turning to
drugs.
Also, maintain a formal introduction. As a basic example:
In his anthology Don't Start Me Talking, Kelly's focuses on the manner in which love
can at times cause people to become frustrated and isolated. This is particularly clear
in his examples of the unnamed male narrator who turns to alcohol, continues to feel
rejected and at times is violent towards his partner.
 Essay Writing Activity
Using these notes, write your own essay on the topic.
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Don’t Start Me Talking: Lyrics 1984-2004
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