| R.E.M. – Final Straw Lyrics | 11 years ago |
| This is absolutely a political song, no doubt about it. But I have a feeling (unfortunately) that it will continue to be relevant time after time. This song came up on my rotation today, shortly after the U.S. Senate summarily rejected even the most reasonable of increased gun control restrictions, in the face of a public that is demanding it. This song hits me in the gut as I think about the families of recent mass shooting victims during this "week from hell" (April 15-19, 2013). Thanks R.E.M. - for providing the catharsis I need right now. | |
| Jimmy Eat World – My Sundown Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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This song, to my ears, has always been about the short story (and later novel) Flowers for Algernon. In this classic story, a mentally disabled man (Charlie) is selected for clinical studies for a drug that improves mental performance. For a short period of time, his intellect accelerates and he reaches a plateau of genius before the drug tragically proves to be only temporary and he spirals downward again. It's written heartbreakingly in the first person in the format of a personal journal. "You'll show them your progress...but no one cares" The researchers are fixated on the drug's success or failure. Those who used to make fun of Charlie are only further alienated when he's uncommonly intelligent. "I need you to show me the way from crazy/I want to be so much more than this" To the female schoolteacher, the one person he admires and wants to connect with. "I said my goodbyes, this is my sunset/Good good bye, lovely time. Good good bye, tinsel shine. Good good bye, I'll be fine." As he recognizes that the slope is downward and cannot be stopped. |
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| Coldplay – Charlie Brown Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| Wow, you're completely right. The song's main riff does sound like it was crafted to echo the Peanuts theme song. I didn't notice that before! I did see the piano at the end as a Peanuts tribute on first listen, though. I agree with you! | |
| Alanis Morissette – You Owe Me Nothing In Return Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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The greatest aspect of this song, if you look closely, is that she is certifiably OPEN to hearing and considering anything he might bring to her ("I'll hear it; I'll support it; I'll understand it; I'll empathize."). She professes her intellectual/spiritual loyalty because she respects his humanity. However, she does not write him a blank check concerning her every action, as no one should. She states only that her attitude will be consistent and fair. She's not allowing herself to be taken advantage of in any way at all. She is a willing participant who knows exactly what the relationship is worth to her ("It's my privilege"), which is much more than many people can articulate. If any of the named scenarios occur, she clearly trusts he will be honest and come forward to her in the first place. Hence, so long as they maintain the open channels, they are worthy of one another. The song is commentary on how rare such a view (or practice!) is -- Observe that the entire song is an effort to spell out the terms and convince him that she actually means them, in spite of his disbelief. Also, how healthy it is -- implied by the tone in which the narrator is earnest and has considered the possible outcomes (each given scenario) and alternative views ("This is the only kind of love as I understand it that there really is"). Alanis's comment (quoted in deenice's comment) confirms this. To me, the song also brings to mind very strongly the relationship between two characters in the novel Atlas Shrugged and fits into a framework of Objectivist morality. From the novel: "There's nothing that you owe me, no duty that you have to consider...I want nothing from you except what you wish to give me...to know that the joy you give me is paid for by the joy you get from me--not by your suffering or mine. I don't accept sacrifices and I don't make them. If you asked me for more than you meant to me, I would refuse...I'd hate [scenario] more than I can tell you. But if that were your choice, I would accept it." -Ayn Rand, 394-95, Signet paperback edition. |
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| Secret Machines – You Are Chains Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| It's about the novel "Atlas Shrugged." | |
| The Killers – Spaceman Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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It's about the crisis of existence, and who to believe, when none of the mainstream voices sound like truth. I don't think the song points to religion as the answer, because religion is just one of those voices. The song cuts right down to the only thing we have -- our own personal selves. Our individual minds are being intruded upon, violated, persecuted, and generally prevented from navigating the truth ourselves. "The star maker says it ain't so bad." The star maker is Hollywood et. al. Entertainment is a distraction, a convenient mitigator of critical thought. The entertainment sector says, Why worry? Don't think about life's big questions. Here's something simpler to pay attention to. "The dream maker's gonna make you mad." The dream makers are those who promise what can't be promised. They're going to let you down. Educators and parents tell their children that they can be anything, and this turns out to be a lie. Religions offer hope and salvation that is all wishful thinking, and founded upon no evidence. Once you uncover the limitations of these security blankets, you'll be mad indeed that you had been deceived into thinking it all stops here. "The space man says 'everybody look down, it's all in your mind'" The space man is science and rational thought. An objectivist will assure you that we all come down to nothing more than matter, and any fretting or dwelling is an imagined or created phenomenon that we should be able to shut off, or not even entertain in the first place. But they're wrong, because for most of us, there's a nagging search for meaning inside our heads that won't be silenced. These three voices are probably not malicious in intent. They each find a way to simplify or direct people's lives in order to spare the masses from existential pain. However, some people can't help but see through this artifice, and it's a painful and desperate struggle indeed to find any way around them, and to make one's voice heard above them. Sometimes you want to just give up. But you realize the consequences of that would be too great. So you decide to keep navigating, continuing to hold reservations, but trusting your own senses as much as possible. "It's all in your mind" is what it comes down to, but that's unavoidable. |
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| Metric – Stadium Love Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| I definitely envision Pokémon for this song every time. It seems I'm not the only one! | |
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