not sure how i'm only the 2nd or 3rd person to comment on this song.
seems to be about words/language to me.
i think an important part of this interpretation is the center piece of the song that has the somewhat slowed and mumbled "Which- de- scribes- how--"
when language was in early development, the important thing was to describe the physical world surrounding the speakers. Dangers and resources needed to be recognized, communicated, and dealt with accordingly. when our ancestors had that down, they moved on to describing things that are beyond our senses and common experiences.
Our emotions, thoughts, feelings, desires, and the like are a great part of our everyday speech, yes, but beyond that, we have all now somewhat internalized what used to be just well enunciated grunts and yelps. when you're sitting quietly in a calm park, or hustling through the crowds on the subway on your way to work, let me ask, are you thinking in words? in English?
ever know exactly what it is you want to express, but then not have the words to do so? from brain to mouth, something just couldn't translate.
i think that's a large part of this song.
we all have a different view of the world, but try our best to agree on what is what, using our language. the sky is blue. we all see this, we agree upon it, and are able to say it to one another in understanding.
then we go to France ("overseas") and the old man in the park turns to us and says "le ciel est bleu."
though we agree with him on that point, and may agree with him on the way we feel when we wake up every morning, we won't be able to speak about it. we'll just both interact through a polite smile, then turn to a tres belle sunset and each frown to ourselves, thinking, in our respective languages, how we wish we knew what the other was thinking right then and there.
not sure how i'm only the 2nd or 3rd person to comment on this song.
seems to be about words/language to me. i think an important part of this interpretation is the center piece of the song that has the somewhat slowed and mumbled "Which- de- scribes- how--"
when language was in early development, the important thing was to describe the physical world surrounding the speakers. Dangers and resources needed to be recognized, communicated, and dealt with accordingly. when our ancestors had that down, they moved on to describing things that are beyond our senses and common experiences. Our emotions, thoughts, feelings, desires, and the like are a great part of our everyday speech, yes, but beyond that, we have all now somewhat internalized what used to be just well enunciated grunts and yelps. when you're sitting quietly in a calm park, or hustling through the crowds on the subway on your way to work, let me ask, are you thinking in words? in English?
ever know exactly what it is you want to express, but then not have the words to do so? from brain to mouth, something just couldn't translate.
i think that's a large part of this song.
we all have a different view of the world, but try our best to agree on what is what, using our language. the sky is blue. we all see this, we agree upon it, and are able to say it to one another in understanding.
then we go to France ("overseas") and the old man in the park turns to us and says "le ciel est bleu." though we agree with him on that point, and may agree with him on the way we feel when we wake up every morning, we won't be able to speak about it. we'll just both interact through a polite smile, then turn to a tres belle sunset and each frown to ourselves, thinking, in our respective languages, how we wish we knew what the other was thinking right then and there.