| Procol Harum – A Whiter Shade of Pale Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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In my rush, I forgot to mention: The musically iconic theme is Bach-based, and Bach's music was very much influenced by his religious faith, and Bach's music is frequently used in marriage ceremonies, especially in organ solos in churches. "Vestal virgins" are not just inexperienced with sexual intercourse, but they are 'holy' and 'morally pure'. Perhaps this chap had met his bride in a church, or she was a minister's daughter, along with her many friends? "The ceiing flew away"....perhaps an outdoor wedding...a gust of wind or storm blew the top of the tent away (requiring the bride & groom to move?) Also symbolic of his limited "view" of the situation he was in now being opened to all possibilities, including the terribly hurtful ones? just a few more thoughts.... cheers Derek |
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| Procol Harum – A Whiter Shade of Pale Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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This song's meaning has always eluded me, but there were just too many clues that pointed away from the too-obvious "drug party" interpretation that I have kept on checking in here, from time to time. Important to me is the fact that Reid was quite young when he wrote this, and he was most likely relating a love-story or similar "personal" experience or inner-fear. He probably wasn't into social commentary at the time. Also, IMHO, the huge variety of sources of 'inspiration' for the lyrics point away from a basic drug story. Also, I have always sensed that the song had a spiritual feel to it....as if there is a church/religion aspect to it...the sanctity of something involved. What hit me was the scene in the first verse....this was a special celebration that goes on indoors and then the story moves outdoors...like .those all night summer parties with close friends that involve all sorts of deep conversations and crazy behaviour. BUT the events are interupted by one person telling a story....hmmm...and this changes everything So...my interpretation follows on some other inputs in this thread/forum, plus my intuitive/analytical inferences. This is either the bachelor/bachelorette party OR the wedding reception for the writer and bride….a celebration involving the sanctity of marriage. Crazy time...lots of partying. The writer knows he has already had enough and perhaps is feeling overwhelmed by the occasion too. "The crowd called out for more" is the guests calling for another round or another toast to the bride/groom or bride/groom to be. Perhaps he (they) go out for some fresh air (“ceiling flew away”) ? The Miller telling the tale….Tale of Two Cities interpretation à a big strong guy who the writer overhears talk about his intimacy with the writer’s bride/bride to be. OR perhaps the Miller is telling a story as part of the speeches at the wedding reception. One way or another, the bride is hit with guilt or her lie has been revealed by some facts-à she turns even paler. (her original whiteness represents the purity that the writer assumed of her) The bride denies the writers revelation, but as the writer recounts various facts, he realizes that it’s probably true, so he continues to question her (less likely during a wedding reception, but possible during a bachelor party?). Vestal virgins leaving for the coast….women who were kept away from men until they were shipped to royalty or navy officers to be wedded and bedded. The writer has assumed her purity all along, perhaps based on her friends’ assertions? “She said that she’s here on shore leave”….bride to be saying that it LOOKS like she was unfaithful, but she wasn’t. ie. other reasons for the suspicious circumstances. “Though we were miles at sea”….Her facts don’t add up, AND it’s too late anyway….the ship has sailed……and what has happened cannot be undone…..perhaps they were legally married by this point? “You must be the mermaid…..for a ride”….he tells her that she fooled him with her beauty, etc etc. She pulls the same smile, and it works again. “If music be the food of love, then laughter is it’s queen”…juxtaposition of beauty of relationship/the celebration with secrets/shame he is feeling as some of the guests clearly were joking about her indiscretion behind his back- during the party/wedding reception. (until he overheard it) “So we crashed-dived straightaway completely”…..they split up immediately or the marriage fell apart quickly, or he had the marriage annulled? “and attacked the ocean bed”…went their separate ways looking for another mate (ie.plenty of fish in the ocean??) Interested in what you think….Derek |
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| R.E.M. – Supernatural Superserious Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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I also think that you nailed it, but I will add one more possible twist on the message. I can't speak for all of North America, but up here in Canada, a huge number of summer camps are run by churches, and I would suspect that Stipe, growing up in Georgia in the 60's and 70's would have been exposed to some very conservative (read, not very tolerant!) interpretations of scripture etc at these overnight or week-long camps. Consequently, I also believe that the song is about Stipe discovering that his sexuality does not fit with this conservative view...how his insecurities surround that issue....and it reveals the spiritual and sexual experimentation that occured there as he rid himself of those binding insecurities. "And you realized your fantasies are Dressed up in travesties Enjoy yourself with no regrets" It may have been at one of these camps that Stipe litterally or metaphorically lost his virginity... And it could have been with someone more 'experienced' or at least comfortable with their sexuality??? "If you call out safe then I'll stop right away" "Now there's nothing dark and there's nothing weird Don't be afraid I'll hold you clear" And - in a real epiphany - Stipe also discovered that his embarrassing secret desires (homesexual ones?) were worth fanticizing about. "Inexperience sweet delirious" So, while many at the camp were experimenting with/discovering their spiritual self, oblivious or ignoring the strong physical forces within them, Stipe was dealing with more pressing insecurities surrounding sexuality??? Just a hypothesis or two.... :-) |
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| R.E.M. – Living Well Is The Best Revenge Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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To Ebrown9810 and Cyberghost, I'm not sure if Stipe is standing up to Jesus or his teachings about love and forgiveness per se, but certainly Stipe is taking on the judgemental and often hypocritical religious far-right. "...You had set me up like a lamb to slaughter...." (ie. using the political left, homosexuals, etc as whipping posts is a traditional strategy by far right political and religious leaders....) "...Garbo as a farmer's daughter..." (I still have to research the movie's plot to get the reference...) "....Unbelievable, the gospel according to who???" (ie. the hypocricy issue...and that - perhaps - the "real" message in the Bible is valid (ie. Love...) but being ignored. "...I lay right down..." (perhaps Stipe regrets not taking on Bush and his buddies in the religious far-right earlier??) ..."now I'm not one to sit and spin" (ie. Stipe does not fit the image of The Devil??) ..."You savor your dying breath" (referencing the idea that far-right Christians only look towards completing their 'checklist' in order to earn their way to getting to heaven, but they're not paying attention to their behaviour or what is happening NOW???) |
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| Chicago – (I've Been) Searchin' So Long Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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If I recall correctly, Peter Cetera and a perhaps other members of the band were Christians. The lyrics could be talking about finding the spiritual guidance they have needed in their lives. It may not be Christianity that is sung about, but I have always interpreted it as a spiritual song. Of course, in keeping with their increasing interest in writing love songs around this point in the band's 'evolution', the lyrics may just mean that the person has found their purpose in a romantic relationship. It has always been a favorite for me...in fact the entire album is - perhaps - the best blend of the trademark Chicago sound, a wide variety of writers, knock-out horn charts, and wide diversity of styles. The days of 'dumbed down' sappy pop-with-horns were still a few albums away.... |
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