| Portishead – Magic Doors Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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Personally have very little doubt that Beth is bisexual. But I don't believe it is sufficient explanation of all the despair. It would just be too simple... Being gay isn't easy, but surely it's not an issue over which anyone would be _inwardly_ tortured wih guilt and unsuredness - for decades! We aren't living in the Middle Ages. The impression I get of her is that she is utterly honest (and very much concerned about staying honest and sincere at all times) and also fearless, or capable to overcome fear. And really, you need nothing else to sort out your sexual identity, just some inner honesty, some courage and some time, she would've done it long ago. So, I think there must be much more to it... Something more complex or more global... Or pathological? I do feel worried and surprised that such songs are even allowed... sold, broadcasted, clapped and cheered to. There are a lot of hints at mental illness too (or maybe it's the overall mood of Third, which scares me), but in my heart of hearts I don't believe she's ill. |
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| Portishead – Threads Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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The version published here (with the "Damned one" lines) seriously scared me... I even started hearing it on the album! And didn't know what to think of the whole album anymore... seemed to be going a bit too far into insanity for me... But after listening to this live performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7tQUhl-JVY I'm much relieved: there isn't a 'damned one'.... Just 'tired and worn'! - Yippee!!! Thanks God! (or thanks, Beth?) (I support the version of the lyrics suggested above by grrsawn, seems very close) |
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| Portishead – Roads Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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This is what's so unique about Beth's songs: however sincere they are (and they are sincere to the point of shock!), you nevertheless never actually know what she's singing about :) My first (long ago) impression, was that it's a vaguely political song. Then I thought, it's a song about being an artist (when everybody around is "practical" and saying things like "why don't you do something real", or, "you have to do interviews and promotion, or the record won't sell". Now I think it might be a song about being gay (which would clarify the "Never found our way Regardless of what they say" lines for me, which seem illogical otherwise... Society proclaiming itself "tolerant" whereas it's in fact still far from that). Or it might as well be about the general pain of being a relatively normal individual in a sick society... hence lonelyness and desperation. A magically beautiful and universally true song... But still, I'm very curious, what exactly was it for her. |
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