Tunesmith - its a bummer when people read, fail to catch your drift, then jump all over the place calling you a troll &tc.

Your original point is an interesting one - and those kind of lyrics can really lift a song. The unexpectedness makes you pay attention, and in that particular instance the line adds a whole lot of character to the people & situation in the song. Its one of those instances where a quick deft sweep of the brush adds a lot to the picture.

I was trying to talk about a similar thing the other night - but I was too far down my mum's homemade wine & it was a very late festival night.... - but what I was trying to get at is that some songwriters seem to have the mental freedom to take risks with their writing, and to throw in bits & peices that sometimes don't work all that well - but which are sometimes pure genius. Richard Thompson is a prime example of that type of songwriter.

I know what you mean about it opening a door to all manner of possibilities.