Why is 'The Cabbage' called 'The Cabbage' ?

[davieboywonder]

not sure why it has taken me 17 years to consider this question, but it only occurred to me whilst listening to it this morning.

[MikeSelmer]

Because of the chords used?

[Shrubstik]

Because of the chords used?

Great answer Mike , although if these chords are correct we need another theory:

http://zenandjuice.com/music/teenage_fanclub/chords/the_cabbage.txt

[kinky wizard]

it was the smell in the tour bus around that time due to the unwashed "grunge" hair

[guest]

What were the alternatives? The Turnip The Carrot The Lettuce The Sprout The Parsnip I think Norman chose well considering the options

[Kowaldoc]

I would say Cabbage could be i of three things

a/ Normans favourite Veg
b/ Slang for money
c/ Slang for dope

maybe?

[devotchik2]

Maybe it was going to be a tryptych of songs.. the cabbage, the bacon, and the tatties.. or maybe it was one of Gerry's favourite cooking ingredients..

[jockojem...again]

I remember a recording sometime where Norman introduced it as "a song about Pat Kane.... called the Cabbage"
Maybe I imagined it!

[Shrubstik]

I have it on great authority* that the young lady mentioned in the song was albino, hence had white hair, and therefore was a colcannon, an Irish word meaning white-headed cabbage.

This sounds like a good explanation to me Jim, but then again I like Brian Wilson and so I am a fud. I must join you standing in the corner and shall adorn my dunce's hat

[Georgia]

Since it's about a lady, I'm going with #2, as listed here: http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/c.htm

[davieboywonder]

Since it's about a lady, I'm going with #2, as listed here: http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/c.htm

wow - I have learned something today, never seen that definition before

I am loving some of the answers to my question. I am very much looking forward to the next album 'Vegetables' containing guesty's song title suggestions

[johnnycigars]

I would say Cabbage could be i of three things

a/ Normans favourite Veg
b/ Slang for money
c/ Slang for dope

maybe?

Is it not slang for money as well??? Big Cass used to say it eh K?

[guest]

doesn't cabbage mean thick. I always thought it that - the guy in the song feels a bit of a cabbage, having lost in love, thinks himself a cabbage of sorts. I think its the best song on 13. one of normans finest.

[clubFan]

I like the Harrisonesque slide bits in the Thirteen version. The outtake version from TFC Have Lost It EP is worth a listen. Overall either version sounds a little unfinished. Not sure why. Thirteen was kind of a creative lull for Norman, IMO. [Was he too busy changing Brendan's nappies?]
YMMV, of course. Bring on the flames yo.

[kelbow]

"asked you for nothin' ... that's what I got." genius.

the buggers ambushed me with this at the Melbourne gig, August 2005; moshing away about five rows back, almost in tears as it snuck up on me how good it was and how great it was to hear it again. buggers!