| Talking Heads – Once In A Lifetime Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| I interpret this song in a somewhat spiritual sense; almost like a "creation myth" in which David Byrne undergoes a reawakening to the primary forces which are moving his existence. I think we often get lost in the details of modern existence (with things like electric toothbrushes) and forget that there is a place we can go mentally where such things do not exist...where we're only paying attention to the water-like flow which is always there ("same as it ever was"). In that perspective, there is no such thing as money ("after the money's gone...") and you might find that the purity of that simpler model of thinking is unsettling ("this is not my beautiful house! this is not my beautiful wife!"). | |
| Jewel – Intuition Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| If one has *truly* embraced the idea of 'to each his own'--then one has to give up judging what others do as somehow universally bad. As Jewel points out: "in this world of postmodern fad, what was good...now is bad". So for instance, repressing one's sexuality and feeling negative if others don't do the same (in prudish times before postmodernism) has gone from being virtuous to being immoral in the world Jewel is singing from. The video shows versatility and her undeniable sex appeal--with obvious intelligence exuding from the choreography and the humor ("Jewel's music sounds much better now that she's dancing. I love it! SCRREEEEEAAAAMMMM!" Suzi from Anchorage, AK.) This song carries the artist's message, namely of trusting one's instincts--and that each person can find their version of heaven if they use the compass of what makes them feel happy. It is clear that for people who liked Jewel's earlier work better and have no interest in diversifying their appreciation talents, they should perhaps focus on listening to her earlier albums and other artists who are in similar phases. In that case, following their "intuition" would mean not listening to the new album...and to only post critical thoughts if they are enjoying the act of supplying such criticism. | |
| George Michael – Monkey Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| This song describes the singer's involvement with someone who keeps being distracted by a character he disparages as a "monkey". It could be taken as a simple tale of a fickle relationship partner...but seen another way you can imagine he's asking for engagement at a higher level than the "animal". So in that case, the monkey would be George Michael's physical body - and his spirit is what he wants his lover to actually be interested in. This is certainly the case for many people who grow intellectually in their relationships and they feel that their partner is pining and pushing for the past (and the more intellectually simple version) of them. | |
| Poe – Hey Pretty Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| To my perception this is a call to a kindred spirit to show itself and come have fun (a la HELLO). The hole-in-my-head evokes imagery of the third eye and the vision by which creators "architect" their worlds--which are meant to be shared with each other (e.g. music, buildings, cars, food, whatever the artist's medium is). The "building with 2000 floors" I see as being the constructed illusion that we all share (each year as a floor). The message I get is that all of time and space is a playground and artists are supposed to go have fun kicking and sliding through it together. P.S. The video for this--which I happened to catch out of the corner of my eye at the Experience Music Project in Seattle...is something I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching. It consists of swapped shots of Poe and a double of herself fondling/washing/dancing on a classic car and mud wrestling each other (oh yes!), while Mark reads from his book. Now that's what I call a video!! | |
| Poe – Haunted Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| Personally I've heard it as "by the lies that wove the web". I favor this because it reduces the redundancy (saying "lives" twice in two lines doesn't seem to fit Poe's pattern of carefully thought-out lyrics). Also that builds upon the imagery of a "web of lies". This is something of a linchpin in my personal interpretation of the song...namely about becoming aware of the tricks and traps of one's own mental processes. She's taking inventory of all the various things in her head, with the goal of letting go of childhood and sadness ("build a casket for my tears"). Growing up is about embracing the rational creation of the self. So she's taking a last look at the phantoms that comprised her former psychology and although she feels a great love for the process that has gotten her to this point...she has to free herself and move on. | |
| Poe – Control Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| The literalist gloss is obviously someone who is in a bad relationship (e.g. male/female) and manages to overcome it. An interpretation which might be a little more interesting is the concept of an inner conflict where the singer is fighting against the "little voice in her head" that tells her she isn't good enough. The battle is for self-control, and the battle has been won. | |
| Poe – Angry Johnny Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| Having seen the video, I would suggest that this song is about the desire to quiet the "angry" aspects of a lover's personality. Jezebel advocated hedonism, and I interpret the song as saying hang-ups are preventing the mortal Johnny from enjoying himself. The "dark angel" who is singing the song (Live...from Hell!) wants to unblock him. The song uses death as a metaphor for release--sexual ("blow you") or otherwise--to allow Johnny the freedoms she has. Yet there is an implied selfishness to it; she wants him to forget the things that are tying up his emotions so she can possess him. It seems a little like the predicament of John the Savage from Brave New World...to be with his siren, he must forego human nature and surrender to being somewhat mechanical. | |
| Poe – Hello Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| I propose that this song is an encoded message from an artist to its soulmate. The implication is that some cosmic process has separated two lovers, perhaps due to inevitable cycles of death and rebirth. Thus, they are having to go through the motions to relocate each other's pieces in new "physical" incarnations. Because of the nature of perception and states of consciousness--it may not be feasible for the central entity that is broadcasting this transmission to "walk in the door" of the intended recipient. So instead of providing the targeted listener with a "password', the song asks for a response ("tap in a code"...which might be read as 'show a sign of intelligent life...beat out a rhythm I'll recognize...'). The implication is that there's no silver bullet for getting the two back together as one instantly ("I don't have the password") but that each step of self-expression will provide a gateway to allow the fragments to attract each other and get closer to the source. But don't take my word for it--I heard all this from the Master Of Disguise himself... | |
| Natalie Imbruglia – Goodbye Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| My interpretation of this song is that much like Peter Gabriel's _Solsbury Hill_ or Robert Bach's _Jonathan Livingston Seagull_ ... the speaker is following her dreams, and this is leading to decisions carrying her away from the familiar territory (people, ideas) of a "past life". There is a bittersweetness to making decisions and moving on...but in order to really enjoy the change, one must cut ties. It is only by letting something that used to occupy us go that we make room for new improvements. This is pointed out with the line "with all I've pushed away...I'm losing ground" (which seems also an allusion to the afterlife, that by selecting certain things and letting them go she is freeing herself from earthly attachments). | |
| Tears for Fears – Power Lyrics | 21 years ago |
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This song gives the secret to empowerment -- and encourages using it wisely. One aspect of so-called "ghosts" is that they seem able to decide who sees them and who does not. This power--the ability to choose to be "invisible" (e.g. to let one's ability to manipulate a situation go unnoticed and not attract any attention)--is at the center of POWER. Hence, we see the singer suggesting that until his "dying" day (e.g. the day he becomes a full-on "ghost") that he'll have to burn just to learn: "this the time...this the place... to show a human face" In other words, he has to keep studying until he learns how to present his ideas with, as an agent of change in certain situations. This is the magician's credo of "Your power comes from what you conceal." There is strong encouragement in the song that once someone gains this insight, there's a lot of important work to do on being sure about your notions of right and wrong: "don't believe that might is right your soul can turn you just the same" Which echoes the spider-man theme of "with great power, comes great responsibility." |
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