Bitter bitter bitter. Henley's been a disillusioned cynic since (at least) the Hotel California days. And he lets it fly full force on this tune. He's holding nothing back in terms of his distaste for modern global culture.
Being a native Texan of his age, Henley undoubtedly heard more than his share of fire and brimstone in his younger years. And those apocalyptic references are showing more and more in his later work in not so subtle ways..."Building the Perfect Beast" being another example. And this tune is pretty much right in line with traditional Judeo/Christian philosophy in that the devil is the ruler of this world.
There's are lines in Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock" that say:
"We are caught in the Devil's bargain"
"And we've got to get ourselves back to the Garden" (Eden)
There was the innocence of the 60's with Woodstock. Then Henley wrote "The End of the Innocence". But at this point, the difference is that Henley doesn't see a way out. At least not culturally:
"the serpent's eyes shine
as he wraps around the vine"
In other words...we're nearing the end of this experiment.
I'd like to see him do a Gospel album. Maybe find something positive to sing about. Somewhere.
Bitter bitter bitter. Henley's been a disillusioned cynic since (at least) the Hotel California days. And he lets it fly full force on this tune. He's holding nothing back in terms of his distaste for modern global culture.
Being a native Texan of his age, Henley undoubtedly heard more than his share of fire and brimstone in his younger years. And those apocalyptic references are showing more and more in his later work in not so subtle ways..."Building the Perfect Beast" being another example. And this tune is pretty much right in line with traditional Judeo/Christian philosophy in that the devil is the ruler of this world.
There's are lines in Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock" that say: "We are caught in the Devil's bargain" "And we've got to get ourselves back to the Garden" (Eden)
There was the innocence of the 60's with Woodstock. Then Henley wrote "The End of the Innocence". But at this point, the difference is that Henley doesn't see a way out. At least not culturally:
"the serpent's eyes shine as he wraps around the vine"
In other words...we're nearing the end of this experiment.
I'd like to see him do a Gospel album. Maybe find something positive to sing about. Somewhere.