I always thought it was about a character Dirk Bogarde played in a film called Sebasian. He played the role of a code breaker during the cold war, but i'm probably miles off. xxx

Phantom, you DO sound miles off!! Always thought it was inspired by the death of the first Christian martyr, St Sebastian, shot through with arrows. Haven't we read SH say that somewhere?

Maelitta wrote:
Another question about Sebastian, this time.

Has somebody here worked on the words and the meaning of this song ?

I red in here somewhere that it is a "labyrinthic" song which has probably no real meaning.
But though, I am sure it is related to something/ somebody.

And ... Who might be Sebastian ?


I have always thought the "Somebody called me Sebastian" line referred to Steve Harley himself as a young busker/floor spotter being compared to John Sebastian, a very cool American singer songwriter and musician, predominate (?) in the 60's and early 70's. This comparison being given and taken as a massive compliment and thrown into this song as a tongue in cheek boast. The young Steve reflecting with satisfaction "Hey, somebody called me Sebastian"!
I'm probably a million miles away with this but it seems as good an explanation as any other. Jeeez, I knew I should have left them drugs alone.

No, you did well, thanks Reb55. Interesting path to explore this one.

Speaking of drugs, I had a carefull look at the words and they ... well ... ahem ...

The painting of the martyr Saint Sebastian - as RichW and Jackpot1 mentionned - is another thing that sounds interesting to explore too.

Maelitta wrote:
But which one?!!

Brain fart...

Best not to read too much in the poetry.

Its a personal thing...I know what it means to me