I have to say I strongly prefer the original album version. The timing is waltz-like, and lends a dance quality to the tune that I think is incredibly fitting.
What do Venus and Jupiter have to do with eeach other? In this context, I don't think they do. Jewel said at one time that the painting 'Venus' by Modigliani was her inspiration for the song. The painting was a reaction to (and mocking of) Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus', and the style of that painting, which was a romanticized and unrealistic portrait of a woman.
The song is from a woman who does not want to be idealized and worshipped (take these stars from my crown).
Her use of Jupiter as her lover makes sense as he was the god of the sky, and the Ides (the midpoint of the month, with a full moon) was sacred to Jupiter, because on that day heavenly light shone day and night.
But the rest of the song, I always felt, was sexual. 'Lay me out in firelight, let my skin feel the night' is an obvious line, but I always looked at 'swallowing the moon' a beautiful picture of a woman in orgasm.
I have to say I strongly prefer the original album version. The timing is waltz-like, and lends a dance quality to the tune that I think is incredibly fitting.
What do Venus and Jupiter have to do with eeach other? In this context, I don't think they do. Jewel said at one time that the painting 'Venus' by Modigliani was her inspiration for the song. The painting was a reaction to (and mocking of) Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus', and the style of that painting, which was a romanticized and unrealistic portrait of a woman.
The song is from a woman who does not want to be idealized and worshipped (take these stars from my crown).
Her use of Jupiter as her lover makes sense as he was the god of the sky, and the Ides (the midpoint of the month, with a full moon) was sacred to Jupiter, because on that day heavenly light shone day and night.
But the rest of the song, I always felt, was sexual. 'Lay me out in firelight, let my skin feel the night' is an obvious line, but I always looked at 'swallowing the moon' a beautiful picture of a woman in orgasm.