The song contains some metaphorical references.
"Apple Venus on a half open shell" is about the the goddess of love from Roman/Greek mythology who was born out of a sea shell and later received Paris' apple as a symbol of her being the most beautiful of all the goddesses. Referring evidentially to the beauty of the girl that the song is about.
Most other metaphors seem to have to do with the sudden and unexpected character of her appearance.
"Fox Talbot" was a British innovator of 19th century photography. The first photograph with his new technique probably came as a surprise for most. The "Marie Celeste" was a ship that was found abandoned in 1872. The giggling crew, apparently just fooling the world for playing hide and seek for over a century, appear very unexpected to say the least. The same goes for Atlantis that turns out not to be a myth after all. The "tricolour and phrygian cap" are symbols of the French Revolution. I guess this has to do with the overthrowing of the old world order and the narrator having a similar experience in his personal world, which will never be the same again now she has appeared. And the "brittle shooting star" isn't something you expect to fall in your lap.
Other metaphors having to do with the 'bubbling' of the senses, like the Hookah, that is some sort of waterpipe. Some things remain unclear to me. Who are for example Catherine and Edward who are mentioned?
@Cruon Apple venus on a half open shell is in reference to the painting "The Birth of Venus", by Botticelli. It's just like what you said before, she appeared unexpectedly, the most beautiful goddess emerging from the sea. You should look up the painting, it's gorgeous! @Matty13 Catherine wheeled is a reference to the popular love song "Colors Fly and Catherine Wheel" by Simple Minds.
@Cruon Apple venus on a half open shell is in reference to the painting "The Birth of Venus", by Botticelli. It's just like what you said before, she appeared unexpectedly, the most beautiful goddess emerging from the sea. You should look up the painting, it's gorgeous! @Matty13 Catherine wheeled is a reference to the popular love song "Colors Fly and Catherine Wheel" by Simple Minds.
This is definitely my favorite XTC song, so cute and catchy! It makes my heart happy. The vivid imagery of love at first sight is just beautiful. And I love the...
This is definitely my favorite XTC song, so cute and catchy! It makes my heart happy. The vivid imagery of love at first sight is just beautiful. And I love the stanzas about the Sun and the moon. Two of the most beautiful natural wonders shining now not from the sky but from her, gorgeous!
The song contains some metaphorical references. "Apple Venus on a half open shell" is about the the goddess of love from Roman/Greek mythology who was born out of a sea shell and later received Paris' apple as a symbol of her being the most beautiful of all the goddesses. Referring evidentially to the beauty of the girl that the song is about.
Most other metaphors seem to have to do with the sudden and unexpected character of her appearance. "Fox Talbot" was a British innovator of 19th century photography. The first photograph with his new technique probably came as a surprise for most. The "Marie Celeste" was a ship that was found abandoned in 1872. The giggling crew, apparently just fooling the world for playing hide and seek for over a century, appear very unexpected to say the least. The same goes for Atlantis that turns out not to be a myth after all. The "tricolour and phrygian cap" are symbols of the French Revolution. I guess this has to do with the overthrowing of the old world order and the narrator having a similar experience in his personal world, which will never be the same again now she has appeared. And the "brittle shooting star" isn't something you expect to fall in your lap.
Other metaphors having to do with the 'bubbling' of the senses, like the Hookah, that is some sort of waterpipe. Some things remain unclear to me. Who are for example Catherine and Edward who are mentioned?
@Cruon Apple venus on a half open shell is in reference to the painting "The Birth of Venus", by Botticelli. It's just like what you said before, she appeared unexpectedly, the most beautiful goddess emerging from the sea. You should look up the painting, it's gorgeous! @Matty13 Catherine wheeled is a reference to the popular love song "Colors Fly and Catherine Wheel" by Simple Minds.
@Cruon Apple venus on a half open shell is in reference to the painting "The Birth of Venus", by Botticelli. It's just like what you said before, she appeared unexpectedly, the most beautiful goddess emerging from the sea. You should look up the painting, it's gorgeous! @Matty13 Catherine wheeled is a reference to the popular love song "Colors Fly and Catherine Wheel" by Simple Minds.
This is definitely my favorite XTC song, so cute and catchy! It makes my heart happy. The vivid imagery of love at first sight is just beautiful. And I love the...
This is definitely my favorite XTC song, so cute and catchy! It makes my heart happy. The vivid imagery of love at first sight is just beautiful. And I love the stanzas about the Sun and the moon. Two of the most beautiful natural wonders shining now not from the sky but from her, gorgeous!
@Cruon Catherine Wheel is a more sinister reference, i think: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaking_wheel. And it might be "Edward Leared": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Lear (Lear's "Runcible Spoon", by the way, is also used in "Baron Saturday" by The Pretty Things).
@Cruon Catherine Wheel is a more sinister reference, i think: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaking_wheel. And it might be "Edward Leared": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Lear (Lear's "Runcible Spoon", by the way, is also used in "Baron Saturday" by The Pretty Things).
@Cruon look up "catherine wheel" (the flower) and "Edward Lear" (British poet famous for nonsense poetry) it becomes self explanatory.
@Cruon look up "catherine wheel" (the flower) and "Edward Lear" (British poet famous for nonsense poetry) it becomes self explanatory.
@Cruon look up "catherine wheel" (the flower) and "Edward Lear" (British poet famous for nonsense poetry) it becomes self explanatory.
@Cruon look up "catherine wheel" (the flower) and "Edward Lear" (British poet famous for nonsense poetry) it becomes self explanatory.