| Julian Casablancas – Glass Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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[NB- I am basing my interpretation on the 'real' lyrics (as helpfully posted on SM earlier). I have submitted an edit form to the site but they haven't been changed yet.] I know from interviews and these comments that this isn't what Glass is about, but when I first heard this (awesome!) song I immediately thought of the nature of politics and the Presidency in the US. I'm from the UK myself, but I've followed Obama's campaigns and terms very closely since 2007. Before I read about him having written it for Juliet, I really thought that Jules' lyrics alluded to the workings of a Presidential campaign. For example: 'I don't believe it, I won't believe in it' - a candidate after losing a state's vote/finding a damning story in the papers? 'That's their job, blood on their teeth, death on their minds' - reassurance after a grilling from the press or the opposition? 'Eyes will follow you' - the eyes of the American people? 'Don't want to bring all that up, but they keep leaving it out; what to do?' - reference to the ordinary (but perhaps distasteful) aspects of politicians' pasts that they're always anxious to reveal but even more anxious to cover up? 'Diamonds are hers, a dog is his' - playing to the age-old American gender stereotypes: in the context of the previous line, getting to know the (perceived) voter demographic? Similarly- 'Dominance and loyalty, romance and security' - what people would apparently expect from the patriarchal president (particularly women)? And the latter: what people expect politics to be like for the politician? And of course: 'Bulletproof glass' - I immediately thought of the bulletproof glass separating Obama and his family from the thousands of fans after he had won his second term. To me it's a symbol of detachment and security, but also one of uncertainty: 'who knows?' whether someone's going to try and get past it? It also seemed to me to reflect the immortality and invincibility the President always has - to us Brits, who look for every opportunity to criticise our leaders once in power, the American way of almost worshipping their President seems unnatural (just as it does to some Americans). And the haunting 'you won't have any trouble now' - if you're assassinated/when you're out of power/because of the bulletproof glass? I don't know, but it's a powerful lyric. So that's my crackpot interpretation... Which I know isn't even close to the actual meaning of the song. Still, it felt good to post it :) just putting it out there! Love this song; so epic! Kudos to Jules yet again... ;D |
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