This song is obviously about someone who has fallen out of love, and feels like they are lying by staying in the relationship. There is no real debate about that. What struck me today was the significance of when this song was written and released. "Jezebel" was originally released on the album "Our Time in Eden", the last studio album Merchant made with the band. She had announced a year before she recorded the album that she was leaving the band. I have to wonder if the feelings of the woman (I'm assuming it is a woman) in the song reflect Merchant's own feelings about staying in the band even though she had already decided to leave. Even the name of the album, "Our Time in Eden" sounds like the band is talking about how the paradise and innocence of the band's success was ending with Merchant leaving.
Furthermore, her performance of "Jezebel" is one of the most powerful on "MTV Unplugged". In fact, all of the songs on "MTV Unplugged" are VERY emotionally charged, and have a strong hint of sadness. This isn't surprising, considering that Merchant left the band months after the performance. The band's next album, "Love among the Ruins" speaks volumes. The band has moved on, and even though their popularity really did become a ruin, the band was still happy to go on.
Anyway, I just thought it was an interesting, subtle observation about the band and how their art reflected the musicians' lives.
This song is obviously about someone who has fallen out of love, and feels like they are lying by staying in the relationship. There is no real debate about that. What struck me today was the significance of when this song was written and released. "Jezebel" was originally released on the album "Our Time in Eden", the last studio album Merchant made with the band. She had announced a year before she recorded the album that she was leaving the band. I have to wonder if the feelings of the woman (I'm assuming it is a woman) in the song reflect Merchant's own feelings about staying in the band even though she had already decided to leave. Even the name of the album, "Our Time in Eden" sounds like the band is talking about how the paradise and innocence of the band's success was ending with Merchant leaving.
Furthermore, her performance of "Jezebel" is one of the most powerful on "MTV Unplugged". In fact, all of the songs on "MTV Unplugged" are VERY emotionally charged, and have a strong hint of sadness. This isn't surprising, considering that Merchant left the band months after the performance. The band's next album, "Love among the Ruins" speaks volumes. The band has moved on, and even though their popularity really did become a ruin, the band was still happy to go on.
Anyway, I just thought it was an interesting, subtle observation about the band and how their art reflected the musicians' lives.