| Howard Jones – Pearl In The Shell Lyrics | 4 years ago |
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Wow! What a message in those central lines: "Under his nose was a dream come true / Been there all the time and he almost knew / Thoughts of people in misfortune stopped him doing things well / His duty was to use it - left his pearl in the shell" To me, this represents the treasure ("pearl") that is within reach ("under his nose" -- or possibly within us) for many people (perhaps everyone to some degree). Yet so many people are like the man in the song, who seems to have an internalized social leveling mechanism: He chooses not to use his gift because others are not thriving -- either because they're not as fortunate as he is (don't have access to a "pearl") &/or, like the man, DO have gifts but choose not to use them -- possibly because they don't want to be the "tallest poppy" and get cut down or possibly because they'd feel bad to thrive while others suffer (even if their thriving does not cause or exacerbate others' suffering). The sad irony of "leaving your pearl in the shell" is that it doesn't benefit you or anyone else -- it makes the world a poorer place and leaves you feeling frustrated and unfulfilled (and probably more unpleasant to be around than you'd be if you did fulfill your promise & utilize your gifts...or at least make an effort to do so). I see the man in the song as a cautionary tale...and a wake-up call to use your gifts -- namely, to not leave your pearl in the shell! |
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| Jackson Browne – Late for the Sky Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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I agree with what others have already said regarding the metaphorical significance of the phrase "late for the sky" (heaven, a place to dream and soar, etc.). Without discounting any of this, the song's last lines ("How long have I been running for that morning flight...late for the sky") have always brought a very literal image to my mind: someone having a stress dream that they're running through an airport for a flight that they're late for (and, presumably, going to miss). This is purely subjective (nothing in the lyrics suggests that JB intended this literal dream image). Even with this overly literal interpretation, however, the line still packs abundantly rich metaphorical possibilities (e.g., feelings of: we blew it, we missed out, we overslept, we're stuck on the ground, we've missed an opportunity to really go somewhere, we should've waken up sooner and gotten out of here, etc., etc.). That's the beauty of true poetry: one interpretation doesn't negate, but rather builds upon, other non-mutually-exclusive perspectives. I also love the insight and naked honesty of lines like: "You never knew what I loved in you/I don't know what you loved in me/Maybe the picture of somebody you were hoping I might be" (and just about every other line in the song). Don't know why, but this song has haunted me for decades. Thanks for initiating a thought-provoking discussion, Bruce. |
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