| The National – Terrible Love Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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Well that's a little less imaginative, but if you want to think of it in just that way, go for it. I will say, though, that the word "notion," while capable of meaning something along the lines of a vague conception of something, does not necessarily have to be vague or loosely formed. It can also mean just an idea or belief, not necessarily a loosely or strongly formed one (I realize I referred to "a notion" as a strong belief–my mistake, I take that back). In that sense, though, it creates the idea that something to believe in is necessary not to break, and–from the other reading of the line, of "an ocean"–it takes, as you said an "enormous amount" of something: an enormous amount of belief, not to break. That would be your [fill in the blank]. By just saying "ocean," it's left unclear as to what an "ocean of" is needed not to break. Also, two things: the word "notion" is not a verb, it's a noun. Also, I'm not sure I follow your "antecedent" argument–if you're saying the fact that "it takes an ocean" is an expression, and therefore exempt from needing an antecedent, I understand; but, I don't understand how that can't apply to "a notion" as well. With a sentence like "It takes a ______ not to break," a noun fits into that blank perfectly well. Maybe because you thought it was a verb.....? Obviously, this is just one way of treating the lyrics, as is yours, and an uncommon one at that, but I find it a little more rewarding way of looking at it. |
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| The National – Terrible Love Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| For a long time my friend and I debated whether he was saying "It takes an ocean not to break" or "It takes a notion not to break." Then we learned that Matt Berninger never prints his lyrics, and it dawned on us that he could very well mean both. "It takes a notion," as in it takes a strong belief, and "It takes an ocean," that is, an immense source of strength–so it's like an ocean of a notion, or something like that. I've found other examples of him doing that, where he could be saying two things, and both of them work. He may not be doing it intentionally; but if he is, and I think that's the case, then he has got to be, hands down, the most innovative songwriter alive right now. | |
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