In response to DontEmailMe, I think your sentiment is spot on, however I think the over all message of the song is not a question of "why is there so much bad when the world is supposed to be good?" rather, it is like you said, a statement. I think what this song is remarking on is that what makes this world so incredible is that it can be both beautiful and terrible. When he says "what a world you have made here," it is not "what is world that you made?" it is "Wow, what a world."
I think this song is part of Meloy's attempt to wrap his mind around the profundity of birth and death, like he did in 2006 with the birth of his first son Henry. The song he wrote about that occasion too (Like a Lion) is not so much one joy, but of contemplation.
I do not mean to degrade the terrible effects of Sandy Hook, I only mean to suggest that the song is not so pessimistic, as it is, incredulous.
I see the comparisons that between the events, but I am curious where, or how, you came across this conclusion: wether it is speculation or if you heard it somewhere.
"...and “12/17/12,” which could be its tonal opposite. Written shortly after President Obama addressed the nation following the school shootings in Newtown, Conn., the song comes from a shaken place, with Mr. Meloy despairing of the news while counting his blessings."
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/20/arts/music/new-releases-from-the-decemberists-hanni-el-khatib-and-duane-eubanks.html...
In response to DontEmailMe, I think your sentiment is spot on, however I think the over all message of the song is not a question of "why is there so much bad when the world is supposed to be good?" rather, it is like you said, a statement. I think what this song is remarking on is that what makes this world so incredible is that it can be both beautiful and terrible. When he says "what a world you have made here," it is not "what is world that you made?" it is "Wow, what a world."
I think this song is part of Meloy's attempt to wrap his mind around the profundity of birth and death, like he did in 2006 with the birth of his first son Henry. The song he wrote about that occasion too (Like a Lion) is not so much one joy, but of contemplation.
I do not mean to degrade the terrible effects of Sandy Hook, I only mean to suggest that the song is not so pessimistic, as it is, incredulous.
I see the comparisons that between the events, but I am curious where, or how, you came across this conclusion: wether it is speculation or if you heard it somewhere.
@peter72395 I'm sorry, I should have posted my sources. I've seen more than one review that mentions the connection. Here are three:
@peter72395 I'm sorry, I should have posted my sources. I've seen more than one review that mentions the connection. Here are three:
"‘12/17/12’ is another prime example, written as an open letter of sorts that questions God for willingly allowing the tragedy of the Sandy Hook Massacre to unfold." http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/65743/The-Decemberists-What-A-Terrible-World%2C-What-A-Beautiful-World/
"‘12/17/12’ is another prime example, written as an open letter of sorts that questions God for willingly allowing the tragedy of the Sandy Hook Massacre to unfold." http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/65743/The-Decemberists-What-A-Terrible-World%2C-What-A-Beautiful-World/
"...and “12/17/12,” which could be its tonal opposite. Written shortly after President Obama addressed the nation following the school shootings in Newtown, Conn., the song comes from a shaken place, with Mr. Meloy despairing of the news while counting his blessings." http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/20/arts/music/new-releases-from-the-decemberists-hanni-el-khatib-and-duane-eubanks.html...
"...and “12/17/12,” which could be its tonal opposite. Written shortly after President Obama addressed the nation following the school shootings in Newtown, Conn., the song comes from a shaken place, with Mr. Meloy despairing of the news while counting his blessings." http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/20/arts/music/new-releases-from-the-decemberists-hanni-el-khatib-and-duane-eubanks.html
"And the album peaks with "12-17-12," written in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook school shootings. In this song, the narrator grapples with the conflict of bringing a new child into a world that keeps shifting beneath our feet, and not always for the better." http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/ct-decemberists-review-terrible-world-beautiful-world-colin-meloy-20150116-column.html
@peter72395 And once again it strips out the colon. I haven't figured out this comment system yet, sorry.
@peter72395 And once again it strips out the colon. I haven't figured out this comment system yet, sorry.
www.sputnikmusic.com/review/65743/The-Decemberists-What-A-Terrible-World%2C-What-A-Beautiful-World/
www.sputnikmusic.com/review/65743/The-Decemberists-What-A-Terrible-World%2C-What-A-Beautiful-World/
www.nytimes.com/2015/01/20/arts/music/new-releases-from-the-decemberists-hanni-el-khatib-and-duane-eubanks.html
www.nytimes.com/2015/01/20/arts/music/new-releases-from-the-decemberists-hanni-el-khatib-and-duane-eubanks.html
www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/ct-decemberists-review-terrible-world-beautiful-world-colin-meloy-20150116-column.html
www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/ct-decemberists-review-terrible-world-beautiful-world-colin-meloy-20150116-column.html