The song "Sure Pinocchio" by John Hiatt tells the story of a person who has been deceived and hurt by someone they trusted. The lyrics are filled with metaphors and references to the folktale character Pinocchio. In the song, the narrator expresses their disappointment and realization that the person they trusted did not keep their promises. The line "You told me you'd hold me, now I know better" suggests that this person had promised to support and love the narrator, but ended up betraying them. The lyrics "All you did fold me honey, like a dear John letter" compare the way the person treated the narrator to receiving a letter breaking off a romantic relationship. The phrase "Like a pair of gym socks lookin' like Artie Garfunkle" uses humor to describe the narrator's state of feeling discarded and unimportant. The reference to being put "in a box with God and his uncle" suggests that the person treated the narrator as though they were insignificant or unimportant, similar to being packed away with items of little value. The line "Your Gepetto's wicked daughter" refers to Pinocchio's creator, Gepetto, and suggests that the person who hurt the narrator is acting deceitfully or with ill intentions. The chorus "Sure Pinocchio, anything you say, sure Pinocchio, have it your own way" expresses the narrator's sarcastic disbelief and resignation towards the deceitful person. It suggests that the person continues to make false promises or excuses, but the narrator no longer believes or trusts them. The lyrics also mention the consequences faced by the deceitful person, such as going to jail. However, the narrator still feels hurt and betrayed, as expressed in the line "This hurts you more than it hurts me, you never inhale, yeah, and cops eat free." Here, the narrator suggests that the person may not fully understand or acknowledge the pain they caused. Overall, the song "Sure Pinocchio" explores themes of deception, broken trust, and the consequences of one's actions. It conveys a sense of disappointment and resentment towards someone who betrayed the narrator's trust and made false promises.
