I'm interested to know how the imagery is exaggerated in this song though david_lpfan. Are you referring to the details of Hicks' life being portrayed inaccurately?
Liddiard admits in the interview that the song contained events that were derived from his own personal experience. In some of the other interviews floating around, he seems almost reluctant to acknowledge the Hicks story as the primary influence of the song, yet in this interview he doesn't shy away from it.
I completely agree that the final two stanzas are the song's high point. Those are probably the best lyrics his ever written. It conjures memories of Jezebel, the high point of Gala Mill. Any suggestions on the significance of 'Cliff' though? Or is it irrelevant?
I guess by 'exaggeration' I was referring to what seems at times slightly less-than-subtle portrayal of grotesqueness, but that's a very subjective statement on my part. It certainly doesn't detract from the song in any way.
I guess by 'exaggeration' I was referring to what seems at times slightly less-than-subtle portrayal of grotesqueness, but that's a very subjective statement on my part. It certainly doesn't detract from the song in any way.
I haven't read that interview (just loading it up now), but at his album launch Liddiard claimed that the song wasn't 'about' David Hicks at all. Even if Hicks was a major inspiration for the song, it's clear that his story is only being incorporated in a very general sense: for example, the references to the disinterested, abusive and cancer-struck father clash heavily with...
I haven't read that interview (just loading it up now), but at his album launch Liddiard claimed that the song wasn't 'about' David Hicks at all. Even if Hicks was a major inspiration for the song, it's clear that his story is only being incorporated in a very general sense: for example, the references to the disinterested, abusive and cancer-struck father clash heavily with memories of media images of Terry Hicks protesting on his son's behalf on New York City streets. At best, Hicks is a launchpad for a more general statement, and that's probably how it should be.
I've wondered about 'Cliff'. I've listened to this song probably over a dozen times now and I feel like I discover new things every time I listen to it. What I think 'Cliff' is supposed to represent is this happy, successful fulfilment of the 'American Dream'. He's a doctor ("in obstetrics") of African-American descent ("his roots here are in slavery") with all the modern symbols of material wealth and 'happiness' ("...a beautiful wife; he's insured for his life"). It seems he's mainly used to provide a contrast with the rest of us, bludgeoned by advertising, meaningless wars and depression medication. But apart from that, I don't think this particular stanza really needs any further analysis, it speaks for itself.
What I like most about the stanza is not just that it is brilliant in its own right (which it is), but more that it kind of comes out of the blue and yet ties the whole song together. This diversion is a pretty radical technique by Gareth when it comes to the genre of narrative song, and it works beautifully. We have no idea what happens to 'D' - does he kill himself? Does he recover? - while this new character from another country is brought in out of nowhere, and we go off that way until brought back to the September 11 attacks. I like to think that 'D' is one of the people responsible, even though we have no idea what happens between his suicide attempt and the attack. We kind of know all we need to know.
A great insight into gaz's thoughts on the song, courtesy of M&N: http://theworldaccordingtogaz.com/
I'm interested to know how the imagery is exaggerated in this song though david_lpfan. Are you referring to the details of Hicks' life being portrayed inaccurately?
Liddiard admits in the interview that the song contained events that were derived from his own personal experience. In some of the other interviews floating around, he seems almost reluctant to acknowledge the Hicks story as the primary influence of the song, yet in this interview he doesn't shy away from it.
I completely agree that the final two stanzas are the song's high point. Those are probably the best lyrics his ever written. It conjures memories of Jezebel, the high point of Gala Mill. Any suggestions on the significance of 'Cliff' though? Or is it irrelevant?
I guess by 'exaggeration' I was referring to what seems at times slightly less-than-subtle portrayal of grotesqueness, but that's a very subjective statement on my part. It certainly doesn't detract from the song in any way.
I guess by 'exaggeration' I was referring to what seems at times slightly less-than-subtle portrayal of grotesqueness, but that's a very subjective statement on my part. It certainly doesn't detract from the song in any way.
I haven't read that interview (just loading it up now), but at his album launch Liddiard claimed that the song wasn't 'about' David Hicks at all. Even if Hicks was a major inspiration for the song, it's clear that his story is only being incorporated in a very general sense: for example, the references to the disinterested, abusive and cancer-struck father clash heavily with...
I haven't read that interview (just loading it up now), but at his album launch Liddiard claimed that the song wasn't 'about' David Hicks at all. Even if Hicks was a major inspiration for the song, it's clear that his story is only being incorporated in a very general sense: for example, the references to the disinterested, abusive and cancer-struck father clash heavily with memories of media images of Terry Hicks protesting on his son's behalf on New York City streets. At best, Hicks is a launchpad for a more general statement, and that's probably how it should be.
I've wondered about 'Cliff'. I've listened to this song probably over a dozen times now and I feel like I discover new things every time I listen to it. What I think 'Cliff' is supposed to represent is this happy, successful fulfilment of the 'American Dream'. He's a doctor ("in obstetrics") of African-American descent ("his roots here are in slavery") with all the modern symbols of material wealth and 'happiness' ("...a beautiful wife; he's insured for his life"). It seems he's mainly used to provide a contrast with the rest of us, bludgeoned by advertising, meaningless wars and depression medication. But apart from that, I don't think this particular stanza really needs any further analysis, it speaks for itself.
What I like most about the stanza is not just that it is brilliant in its own right (which it is), but more that it kind of comes out of the blue and yet ties the whole song together. This diversion is a pretty radical technique by Gareth when it comes to the genre of narrative song, and it works beautifully. We have no idea what happens to 'D' - does he kill himself? Does he recover? - while this new character from another country is brought in out of nowhere, and we go off that way until brought back to the September 11 attacks. I like to think that 'D' is one of the people responsible, even though we have no idea what happens between his suicide attempt and the attack. We kind of know all we need to know.
The whole Cliff bit is a reference to the Cosby show. Bill Cosby's character was Dr Cliff Huxtable, he was a Doctor and lived in Brooklyn.
The whole Cliff bit is a reference to the Cosby show. Bill Cosby's character was Dr Cliff Huxtable, he was a Doctor and lived in Brooklyn.
This, along with the commercials and news flashes, all happens after D sits in front of the TV screen after taking the valium.
This, along with the commercials and news flashes, all happens after D sits in front of the TV screen after taking the valium.
The song then ends with the breaking news interrupting the programming.
The song then ends with the breaking news interrupting the programming.
damn son, nailed it.
damn son, nailed it.