First of all, I do love Joanna Newsom. But sometimes I think she lacks clarity.
Songs like En gallop and Peach, plum, pear are difficult to grasp the meaning but in the end they are beautifully written ideas. But I'm not sure it applies to all her songs.
I've googled a lot on "Bridges and balloons" and apart from compliments to her impressive vocabulary, I haven't found good analyses on what she meant. It's like people are stunned by her skills with words, and they take the meaning for granted as if it was a sin to question what the hell she meant.
I see people commenting on this song, but no one can really point out what she is specifically talking about. Alright, it is a critics on semiotics, there are references about existentialism, and so what? Perhaps I lack the culture to understand what she is saying, but then, can anybody explain me?
When I have to spend hours to understand a song meaning I always remember this Nietzsche's quote:
"Those who know that they are profound strive for clarity. Those who would like to seem profound strive for obscurity" (The Gay Science, sec. 173)
Maybe one should value her words as beautiful indeed, but just as part of the song, with no further meaning (only for her, I guess).
I also ponder clear vs. obscure lyrics, which is ultimately better... Clear words probably wins, because beautiful/obscure words are too private and selfish on the artist's end. Here's another quote:
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." -Albert Einstein
I also ponder clear vs. obscure lyrics, which is ultimately better... Clear words probably wins, because beautiful/obscure words are too private and selfish on the artist's end. Here's another quote:
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." -Albert Einstein
First of all, I do love Joanna Newsom. But sometimes I think she lacks clarity. Songs like En gallop and Peach, plum, pear are difficult to grasp the meaning but in the end they are beautifully written ideas. But I'm not sure it applies to all her songs. I've googled a lot on "Bridges and balloons" and apart from compliments to her impressive vocabulary, I haven't found good analyses on what she meant. It's like people are stunned by her skills with words, and they take the meaning for granted as if it was a sin to question what the hell she meant. I see people commenting on this song, but no one can really point out what she is specifically talking about. Alright, it is a critics on semiotics, there are references about existentialism, and so what? Perhaps I lack the culture to understand what she is saying, but then, can anybody explain me? When I have to spend hours to understand a song meaning I always remember this Nietzsche's quote: "Those who know that they are profound strive for clarity. Those who would like to seem profound strive for obscurity" (The Gay Science, sec. 173) Maybe one should value her words as beautiful indeed, but just as part of the song, with no further meaning (only for her, I guess).
I also ponder clear vs. obscure lyrics, which is ultimately better... Clear words probably wins, because beautiful/obscure words are too private and selfish on the artist's end. Here's another quote: "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." -Albert Einstein
I also ponder clear vs. obscure lyrics, which is ultimately better... Clear words probably wins, because beautiful/obscure words are too private and selfish on the artist's end. Here's another quote: "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." -Albert Einstein
@nbrii I take the title to be a metaphor for life before death or existence in an infinite universe, basically the same thing.
@nbrii I take the title to be a metaphor for life before death or existence in an infinite universe, basically the same thing.