Ralph,
I found something very cool.
There’s a new band called Florence and the Machine. They have several good songs, but I want to call out “No Light, No Light,” which aligns with the dual theme(s) of this blog.
I’ve posted the lyrics to the song separately (below). Get those ready and then click here for the video.
Important: I strongly suggest reviewing the lyrics as you listen to the YouTube song/ video. Don’t peek at the video because it will ruin it the dual interpretation. At first, just listen to the song and read the lyrics.
Then watch the video.
You're in for a fun ride. The song is seemingly about two lovers, and it is very beautiful, and the lack of light in his "bright blue eyes" indicates that he is not in love with her anymore (there's more to it than that, but that's part of it).
But the video is another thing entirely, working all kinds of oppositions, including Voodoo and Christianity, which some would argue equate to dark and light, respectively (although, in truth all religions use all forms of magic, dark, light, and everything in the middle).
I don't want to say any more. I'll be interested to hear what you have to say. Maybe Shimmons will participate...
DrD
Okay, finally got around to experiencing this - both reading the lryics and watching the video. Definitely left me thinking and with some questions: Is this a woman seeking light, but attracted to darkness? It also seems to reference one of my favorite Who songs - Behind Blue Eyes. I've surely got the tune running around in my head. Florence (is that the singer's name) looks like a redhead, so that's a whole 'nother topic I'm versed in. And, finally, the whole Catholic theme kind of intersects with my current reading of Jim Carroll's "Basketball Diaries." Can you help me put some pieces together here?
ReplyDeleteCheers.
I think you're right with your first question, she is seeking light but she is attracted to darkness and she is having trouble reconciling the opposites. Doesn't this happen all the time in relationships? Men want a respectable woman who is also "wild" in the bedroom. Women want a "mysterious" man who will never lie to her. You can't have the yin without the yang. Just not possible.
ReplyDeleteThe Who song runs along the same lines. On the surface, the speaker has pretty blue eyes, but the blue eyes are masking some fairly dark impulses. I'll post the song lyrics separately.
Don't know anything about "Basketball Diaries," so I can't offer an opinion on that.
Great insight on the dichotomy of things. As you know I'm a huge proponent of this viewpoint.
ReplyDelete