| Ben Folds Five – Missing The War Lyrics | 23 years ago |
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This is one of Ben's most beautiful works. I'm not really convinced by any of the previous interpretations. I believe "war" is a metaphor for dating or being single. Ben is missing the war by being in this marriage (or extended relationship). I think married life is too quiet for him. He craves being "free" again. This marriage possibly prevents him from pursuing some dream of his ("dreams may die"). He is not happy with being cooped up, yet he is too loyal and caring to give up on his marriage ("The shaking voice that tells him go/Still thinks he might/He knows he won't"). His loved one doesn't even know he is unhappy ("She doesn't know he wasn't meant for this"). The guy thinks about the "world outside" every night until "beads of sunlight hit me in the morning." This song is so great because it is about conflicting emotions, which is very typical of Ben's music, but which is also what makes his songs so brilliant: we all as humans constantly feel conflicting emotions, and life is about dealing with those feelings. In this song, though Ben yearns to be out in the world again, he doesn't have the courage to break away from the stability of his current marital life. |
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| Ben Folds Five – Don't Change Your Plans Lyrics | 23 years ago |
| This song is about acting on your feelings, about leading the life that you believe is right for yourself. Ben's heart is in the northeast, even when the person he loves is in California. That's a powerful sentiment. For some reason, Ben also believes that he will meet up with his love again, as noted by "I know we've been together many times before /I'll see you on the other side." I believe that "I'll see you on the other side" here has nothing to do with the afterlife. I think Ben is just using that line to mean "See ya around" -- Kind of like "I'll see you on the flipside." Of course I don't know Ben's personality as well as many of you guys may, so maybe Ben is being more fatalistic. Though I do think it would make more sense to interpret the line in a simpler way, since "Don't Change Your Plans" has a fairly simple meaning: I just have to do what is right for me." You know, carpe diem. | |
| Ben Folds Five – Don't Change Your Plans Lyrics | 23 years ago |
| This song is about acting on your feelings, about leading the life that you believe is right for yourself. Ben's heart is in the northeast, even when the person he loves is in California. That's a powerful sentiment. For some reason, Ben also believes that he will meet up with his love again, as noted by "I know we've been together many times before /I'll see you on the other side." I believe that "I'll see you on the other side" here has nothing to do with the afterlife. I think Ben is just using that line to mean "See ya around" -- Kind of like "I'll see you on the flipside." Of course I don't know Ben's personality as well as many of you guys may, so maybe Ben is being more fatalistic. Though I do think it would make more sense to interpret the line in a simpler way, since "Don't Change Your Plans" has a fairly simple meaning: I just have to do what is right for me." You know, carpe diem. | |
| Jump, Little Children – Cathedrals Lyrics | 23 years ago |
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Cathedrals is one of the most beautiful and inspirational songs I have ever heard. I first listened to the song alone in a lab. Yes, a lab. And I believe this song was directed to people like me who are stuck in a hum-drum existence and often don't see the true beauty that exists in our own world, our own lives. I have lived in New York for a little over a year now, and it is quite amazing to see incredibly beautiful cathedrals like the St. Patrick's Cathedral or the Cathedral of St. John the Divine intermixed between tall skyscrapers and dirty streets. I have often sat in these two cathedrals, listening to "Cathedrals" and shedding tears. I not only marvel at the incredible beauty of the buildings, but I also think about where my place is in this world, where my home truly lies. Ironically, the music of this song is simple, though its meaning is poignant and very different for all who listen to it. This will always be one of my favorite songs. |
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