| Tori Amos – Yo George Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| also interesting to note, at the G8 summit, Bush met Blair as "yo Blair." (hence the title) I think she is definitely poking at Bush and calling him out on that disrespect--which all the world caught and was critical of, just as they are being critical of (as they should be) his policies. | |
| Tori Amos – Body and Soul Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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I think this is one of the more straight-forward songs on the album, yet very symbolic. I love it. I agree with fairycake--fun to read as if she is seducing someone very religious, or even a priest. Go one step further and be really sacriligeous and try it as if she is speaking to Jesus himself. The seven devils are a reference to the 7 devils spoken of in the New Testament that Christ cast out of Mary Magdalene. A woman's gold is layered with meanings since gold, esp. for a woman, has many, but probably just goes to the meanings associated with gold= power, intellect, wisdom, sure of one's self, secrets, etc. Think also of wedding bands and being a possession by being bought through gold--in many cultures, but I don't think she's using it that way here. In my temple= literally and figuratively. The bible talks of the body being a temple. No violence, but ecstacy. kneeling with her as if in prayer--sex is a prayer, both for the body and soul. great song. |
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| Tori Amos – Big Wheel Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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One way I like to look at poetry (and let's face it, Tori's songs are poetry) is linguistically. I think taking them apart piece by piece helps get at the crux of things. That being said... "Lips smacked" can have a lot of meanings: on the surface, just having dry lips, being thirsty, having lip gloss on (the very feminine). It is also a vulgar term for going down. I'm thinking it's one of those last two leading up to "now they're dry" and "you think I'm you're possession." Of course she is the Southern Girl (notice that it's in caps too) "recipe is on" is slang for having a strategy stale=something commonplace that she doesn't have use for anymore A Big Wheel is an important person, like the "head honcho" Superstar MIGHT be a reference to Jesus Christ Superstar, the musical, especially saying "get off the wood" and just comparing other Big Wheels to the epitome of Big Wheels. Turning whiskey into rain=turning something bitter into something beautiful. Shade= literal and figurative And so it goes from there... |
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| Tori Amos – Almost Rosey Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| Love your analysis dragonflydamsel. What is so great about Tori's music is she is a master of double entendre. It is definitely about war--and I agree overtly as evidenced by Isabel. But it is intensely about internal war with a woman. Whether she is sharing her feelings with a man or with herself or with another woman...I'm not sure. Or maybe it's someone talking to her. Femme Fatale is a reference to film noir from 1944 "Double Imdemnity" when the woman (the FF character) feels trapped by traditional womanhood, motherhood, etc. and kills her husband. Marriage is confining. It was done again by that name in 2002, but the concept developed in film noir during WWII (again War reference) and goes back to Lilith and Cleopatra. The beginning of course is depression (perhaps over knowing the confines of womanhood and what men are doing? again war and history as well as personally?). Her other persona (real or imagined admonishing her not to put on roseys, but really, a mask isn't her best disguise. The blondes don't jump out of cakes...Marilyn Monroe and JFK??? The famous b-day song? As well as a blanket indictment of not sensuality but ditzyness and saying blondes don't do this, but we take power (Isabel). (Just thinking out loud here) As for Violet, there are many Violets associated with Femme Fatale: Andy Warhol with Velvet Underground (who wrote a song called FF) worked with Ultra Violet--this could be a figuative death for Violet. Violet is also considered acceptable for mourning. There are many opera stars, prisoners, poets, writers who are called violet or use violet. But not being able to secude seduction? Well, if that doesn't fit Andy and UltraViolet! (But I haven't read all the poetry or seen all the opera!) Corridors of course are the brain (see emily dickinson) and the witching hour is of course the time when supernatural is at it's most powerful--particularly female. So Violet's tentacles of endless want tempt her to taste her power (look at the past Violets and what that power got them, what they sacrificed for men or whatever, what the cost) and she sobers with the witching hour F(when the supernatural--the female spirits, her kindrid sisters come) There is also a poem that talks of a nightingale being robbed of it's young and that the songs are in vain. I'm sure a well-read Tori would know this. The last verse speaks for itself and ties everything together. Whether you are waging an internal war or speaking out against a very real one, Isabel would say something about throwing up your arms against hearing one more bomb. | |
| Tori Amos – Bouncing Off Clouds Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| A good artist takes his/her fan base and challenges them. A la Talking Heads..."So you like Talking Heads? Let's see if you can handle a South American Latin Jazz Album." The Beekeeper? The focal point of her music was an organ rather than her piano. Now she has a more electric album. It would be great to hear a more instrumental album and one with more strings--a full orchestra. When you say "Maybe she's back," she's never gone anywhere...she's just evolved. Every album speaks, is unique, and wonderful in its own way. Thank god she's not putting out the same sounds she did 15 years ago. | |
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