Moving toward a more serious tone. That's what I was trying to do in Riven Rock and also in Wellville, though not as successfuly, I think. I don't know that we think so much about it when we're actually writing the songs. Usually the song just sort of evolves and then we try to write lyrics that fit the tone of the music. A lot of the time we're just hoping to hit some type of middle ground between humor and sadness.
Laughter is just another way to cry.
I like that song a lot. I actually met Steve Martin once at a party. And he really is kind of a sad guy. Or maybe just reserved. Unless you want to count that outtake at the end of the CD for Hakeem Olajuwon.