| The Divine Comedy – Bang Goes The Knighthood Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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Literally, this is about a heterosexual white carnivorous male narrator who holds a career in high office or something, like a lawyer, wall street, MP or judge, but who has a fetish for S&M, and is worried that his outlet for his feelings (his fetish, which is the result of his upbringing in a somewhat totalitarian boarding school) will ruin his life if it were revealed to the public. He questions why he takes the risk of losing everything, including his heteronormative ideals such as his wife and career, but also his social recognition of a knighthood, in favour of his real desires/therapy of being disciplined. Metaphorically, I think everyone can secretly relate to this, especially in an age where every fantasy is accessible over the internet. However, there is the more pressing issue of LGBTQ rights being contrary to glamourised celebrity 'public relations' in the public eye. Also, much as it happened after this song was written, the phone hacking scandal in the UK adds its own unintentional meaning to this song. As the song is from the fetishist's point of view, and asserts the narrator's own disagreement with his actions, we can assume that the narrator is a sort of hero/antihero as far as the story goes if this were a novel of film. The lyrics focus on the narrator's attempts to explain himself; that he regrets doing it and knows the consequences, that he also thinks it's the only thing that makes him feel, and that he was perhaps abused at school. This love/hate relationship to his actions is akin to addiction. The narrator's position in society can be assumed from the fact he feels he is in line for a knighthood, went to boarding school, travels a lot ('out of the station', he just got off a train, but seems used to doing this. 'And though the arcade' seems to suggest repetition, reinforcing that the narrator does the travelling and also this movement to the discreet fetish parlour often), and can afford this lifestyle (which is inferred from the narrator's unfamiliarity or discomfort with the location of the fetish club 'A quick glance around'). 'Innocuous London address' also suggests secretism and implyed anonymity, although identified to an extent through 'Regent's Parade' and 'London'. The most improtant thing that can be taken from this song is that the narrator is unhappy with this secretism. He wants to be himself, but is aware of the public judgement that will be assumed of him if he 'comes out'. The song, and album, is called 'Bang Goes the Knighthood' which, although to the narrator is a risky consequence, I think Neil is saying it is the right thing to do. I think that it is not only clear that the Neil thinks the narrator is miserable in his current state of restricted secrecy, but the whole album has a story of doing what you want and enjoying yourself. Some songs encourage liberalism, like this one, others encourage taking action, whilst being about visiting stately homes, 'Assume the Perpendicular' falls in here, some are about not being afraid of trying what you want, like 'Can You Stand Upon One Leg' etc etc. |
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| The Divine Comedy – Songs Of Love Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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I think this is ultimately a song about youth, and the joys and larks of being young. There are two types of schoolboy in this song. The narrator takes a very animalistic view on the first type, with frequent animal imagery or direct references, whereas the second type is the deep, meaningful poet. Much as the teenage peers are compared to animals, there doesn't seem to be any malice toward them, and in fact a certain desire of the narrator to identify with them as peers to some extent. 'Pale, pubescent beasts' is descriptive of every run of the mill Britsh adolescent male. 'Their prey' being the peer schoolgirls, 'stiff knee-length skirts and white ankle socks' obvioulsy describing the school uniform (the word 'uniform' coming up later). 'my type hybernate, In bedrooms above, Composing their songs of love' is the other stereotype, and more empathic (reinforced by the narrator's identification by using the word 'my') socially awkward teen who is trying to prove he's got more substance than the 'beast' whose 'trousers (are) on fire', an obvious metaphor for aroused genitals. 'sing while you have time' means 'enjoy your youth while you have it' and embrace the emotion of puppy love that every teen feels, even if not directed to a specific person. This idea of there being 'someone out there' is something I think most teens can relate to. 'sing while we still can' to me, is a reminder that no matter how old we feel, we are only getting older, and should embrace what youth we have left, even at 90 years old. Singing is a positive thing as well, so in a metaphorical sense, this line means to generally enjoy and take advantage of life. Which I think is the most important meaning of this song. Although it can be interpreted as a song about love, there is no specific recipient of that love, it seems to be suggested that the narrator is projecting this unused, perhaps frustrated, love outward to the world and life in general. |
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| The Divine Comedy – Our Mutual Friend Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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I feel like I've been in this situation, but can't remember any specific example. However, the emotion that Neil is playing on here is of being a teen/student at a house party, a stage in life where there is more social pressure than in adult life. The narrator, in his exaggerated emotional state (not helped with alcohol) feels a stronger sentimental connection with the girl as she does. I can also empathise with the girl though, if she is a fresher at uni, then she's perhaps more open to making (or perhaps forcing) superficial friendships, but also, maybe, a bit promiscuous. This song is more atmospheric than ethical. I think the lyrics are constructed to convey a certain adolescent feeling rather than simply tell a story. The way the instruments change for the line 'I woke up the next day' is stressful and the bass makes the anticipation uncomfortable. However, regardless of the narrator falling out with the mutual friend, I don't think that Neil is passing judgement on either the narrator, the girl or the mutual friend in this song. I think it simply is a comment on the way people behave at a certain time in their lives. This gives the song an almost nostalgic essence. The way the song is presented with its exaggerated emotion, I can imagine the narrator reminiscing on this night later in his life and either reconsidering his reaction to his mutual friend, or thinking 'those were the crazy days lol'. The line 'a song that I can't sing any more' seems to contradict me here, but I think that as the song's purpose is to capture a moment in time, that that sentiment is only temporary, and it's purpose is to contribute to the overwhelming emotion of the moment more than be a consequence. Ultimately, I think that part of the connection between the listener and Neil Hannon is that everyone feels like they have been in this position, even the girl and the mutual friend. It is a very subjective perspective, but at the same time one that most people can relate to. In reality, most people have probably played every character in this song at some point, but the one that tends to linger in our emotions is that of the narrator. This song is simply capturing a moment in every adult's growth, like the final photograph for the baby book. It is not right or wrong, it is simply a historical document of a certain time and place, of which we will play all characters. |
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| The Divine Comedy – A Lady of a Certain Age Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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I think this song is about a woman who is very cold and unwelcoming. She lives her life trying to do what is good for her, but doesn't care who she hurts in the process. The only seemingly good things she does seem to be purely administrative rather than because she has any goodness in her soul. She rides on the coattails of others to achieve comfort, rather than honestly earning it herself, and dwells on her past (artificial) status rather than acknowledge her descent into the 'little flat' she belongs in. In her old age, you would expect her to reflect on her life and realise the damage she's done to other people, but the tragedy is that she goes into denial or is perhaps oblivious because she lacks the capacity to do good. The closest thing we get to justice is the assurance that other people are better; her son visits her as a token gesture and her daughter rebelled against her wishes. So she sits alone trying to convince people she is younger than she is. If you listen to the tone and inflections in Neil's voice for each 'no, you couldn't be', the first time it sounds like 'you look about 70, but I'm doing the appropriate etiquette response', the second time is 'I might believe you, but I'm surprised/confused as I secretly though you were older' and is almost patronising, and the third time is almost sympathetic, like the 'nice young man' has just heard she has a horrible disease. Regarding her husband, in the past it was common for men to have a mistress, but putting that aside, it seems that the wedding was based on social status on both sides anyway, and the husband didn't really care about her either, so in a sense they deserved each other. I imagine the husband died a very lonely man. I've met this kind of woman before, several times. If I may stereotype for a moment, they are all women, had thin blonde hair, been alcoholics and very frail and thin looking, and sound like heavy smokers (think Dierdry from Corrie lol). I'm sure there are all sorts of people who fit this mould though, but that's how I imagine this woman to be due to my personal experience. The kind of things they've said are 'my workplace is my soap opera' and 'I have an honours degree' as an argument. Others are 'I am what I am' and 'I'm the Merry Widow' (upon hearing her estranged husband had died, meaning that she inherited everything because he had no will and they never divorced). So this song resonates with me. I think that rather than see this as a tragic story, it is uplifting for me to know that I am not the only one who has met this woman in many forms, and that there is someone else who recognises this villainous yet sorry character. Neil seems to deny the listener any hope of this woman's recovery from her wickedness, so I think that the song is a challenge for us to find the hope within ourselves that there are good people in the world, and be warned not to slip into becoming this 'lady of a certain age' ourselves. |
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