| Joe Jackson – A Slow Song Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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I agree that this is a masterpiece. I also agree on the night club scenery but there is more to it. You see, JJ is a genius who does not like his songs to be pinned down on a meaning. At the concert I attended this weekend, he emphasised Junky Diva is not about Amy "F...ing" Winehouse. But listen to the song, and it is hardly open to a different interpretation. I think JJ is sometimes lying to protect his music from being pinned down on one single meaning. Now my theory: 1. In his blog you can read that JJ aspires for the words to fit the music like a glove. I am questioning whether something as trivial as the loud noises of some NY gay club can ever match the astounding music of this ballad. The answer is simple: because this ballad is on a deeper level about mourning, death and loss of love. The music tells us as it builds to outbursts of sorrow, a longing for something that simply cannot be attained. Supporting evidence: 2. First: find the words of the play "The Morning Bride" by William Congreve. The very first lines are: "Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast". Now "Breast" is oft misquoted as "Beast". 3. Second: besides the striking similar wording, you will find that the rythm of the frases fit Slow Song like a glove, right up to "O force of constant Woe! 'Tis not in Harmony to calm my Griefs" (in my mind inevitably followed by: "to pick me up and carress me") 4. Slow Song addresses the same themes as the opening of the play. Loss, mourning and the consolation music can offer, but not always does as there is just too much grief. 5. Note how the lyrics of Slow Song go from "we" (the obvious night club scenery) to "I". Why can't "I" even hear you? Is it the loudness of the music, or is it because "you" are gone, yet still "I want to be near you". |
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