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Author Topic:   Favourite Song Interpretation!
Jon
Inactive Member


Message 1 of 23 (349906)
09-18-2006 3:44 AM


Hey! Let's play a game! You tell us your favourite song, and then your interpretation on it. It can be however deep or shallow of an interpretation you want.
Just have fun
Let the Games begin,
J0N

Replies to this message:
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 Message 5 by mike the wiz, posted 09-18-2006 9:48 AM Jon has replied
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 Message 11 by jar, posted 09-19-2006 12:09 AM Jon has not replied
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Archer Opteryx
Member (Idle past 3597 days)
Posts: 1811
From: East Asia
Joined: 08-16-2006


Message 2 of 23 (349913)
09-18-2006 5:31 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Jon
09-18-2006 3:44 AM


Jubilation
jon:
Hey! Let's play a game! You tell us your favourite song, and then your interpretation on it. It can be however deep or shallow of an interpretation you want.
Fun topic, Jon!
I don't have a fave; I enjoy all kinds of music. But this one is fun.
'Cecilia' by Paul Simon
Keys to the interpretation: two features. (1) The events, taken literally, are unlikely. A new lover enters the second floor of the narrator's own house and goes to work--in the few seconds it takes the narrator to step into the bathroom? (2) The name of the patron saint of musicians is Cecilia. She provides inspiration, like a muse.
Interpretation: The song is not about a real lover, but songwriter's block. First the ideas flow; the lady is generous. Then they don't; the tart is off inspiring someone else. Then the ideas flow again. Archaic but festive-sounding instruments kick in at the word 'jubilation.' Origin of that word: 'Jubal,' the name of the original musician described in Genesis.
quote:
'Cecilia'
- Paul Simon
Cecilia, you’re breaking my heart.
You’re shaking my confidence daily.
Oh Cecilia, I’m down on my knees.
I’m begging you please to come home.
Cecilia, you’re breaking my heart...
I’m begging you please to come home.
Making love in the afternoon with Cecilia
Up in my bedroom.
I got up to wash my face;
When I come back to bed
Someone’s taken my place.
Cecilia, you’re breaking my heart...
I’m begging you please to come home.
Jubilation!
She loves me again.
I fall on the floor and I’m laughing.
Jubilation!
She loves me again.
I fall on the floor and I’m laughing.
.
Edited by Archer Opterix, : Typo repair.
Edited by Archer Opterix, : Punctuation.
Edited by Archer Opterix, : Clarity.
Edited by Archer Opterix, : Added song lyrics.
Edited by Archer Opterix, : Typo. Grrrr. Another edit!

Archer
All species are transitional.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Jon, posted 09-18-2006 3:44 AM Jon has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 13 by kuresu, posted 09-19-2006 1:21 AM Archer Opteryx has not replied

  
subbie
Member (Idle past 1254 days)
Posts: 3509
Joined: 02-26-2006


Message 3 of 23 (349918)
09-18-2006 7:50 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Jon
09-18-2006 3:44 AM


Kodachrome
Continuing in a similar vein with another Paul Simon song, Kodachrome.
It's about masturbation, or at least this part is:
If you took all the girls I knew when I was single
And brought 'em together for one night,
I know they'd never match my sweet imagination.
And everything looks worse in black and white.

Those who would sacrifice an essential liberty for a temporary security will lose both, and deserve neither. -- Benjamin Franklin

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
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Quetzal
Member (Idle past 5871 days)
Posts: 3228
Joined: 01-09-2002


Message 4 of 23 (349935)
09-18-2006 9:17 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Jon
09-18-2006 3:44 AM


Spanish Train - Chris De Burgh
Although not really my "favorite" song by any stretch, I like the lyrics and the music.
The main thrust of the song is the competition between the Devil and God/the Lord for the souls of the dead.
quote:
Well the railway man he cut the cards
and he dealth them each a hand of five
And for the Lord he was praying hard
or that train he'd have to drive...
Well the Devil he had three aces and a king,
and the Lord He was running for a straight,
He had the queen and the knave and the nine and ten of spades,
all He needed was the eight.
And then the Lord He called for one more card,
but He drew the diamond eight,
And the Devil said to the Son of God,
"I believe you've got it straight,
So deal me one for the time has come
to see who'll be the king of this place",
But as he spoke, from beneath his cloak,
he slipped another ace...
Ten thousand souls was the opening bid,
and it soon went up to fifty-nine,
but the Lord didn't see what the Devil did,
and He said "that suits me fine.
I'll raise you high to a hundred and five,
and forever put an end to your sins",
But the Devil let out a mighty shout, "My hand wins!"
Interpretation: Good is blinded by the constraints that force it to always play fair. Evil will always win because Good is, erm, stupid.
quote:
Chorus:
And I said "Lord, oh Lord, you let him win.
The sun is down and the night is riding in.
That train is dead on time, many souls are on the line,
Oh Lord, don't let him win..."
Final verse:
quote:
Well that Spanish train still runs between
Quadalquivir and old Seville,
And at dead of night the whistle blows,
And people fear she's running still...
And far away in some recess
The Lord and the Devil are now playing chess.
The Devil still cheats and wins more souls,
And as for the Lord...
Well He's just doing his best...

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Jon, posted 09-18-2006 3:44 AM Jon has not replied

  
mike the wiz
Member
Posts: 4752
From: u.k
Joined: 05-24-2003


Message 5 of 23 (349941)
09-18-2006 9:48 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Jon
09-18-2006 3:44 AM


Into the distance, a ribbon of black
Stretched to the point of no turning back
A flight of fancy on a windswept field
Standing alone my senses reeled
A fatal attraction holding me fast, how
Can I escape this irresistible grasp?
Cant keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, i
Ice is forming on the tips of my wings
Unheeded warnings, I thought I thought of everything
No navigator to guide my way home
Unladened, empty and turned to stone
A soul in tension thats learning to fly
Condition grounded but determined to try
Cant keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, i
...
Above the planet on a wing and a prayer,
My grubby halo, a vapour trail in the empty air,
Across the clouds I see my shadow fly
Out of the corner of my watering eye
A dream unthreatened by the morning light
Could blow this soul right through the roof of the night
Theres no sensation to compare with this
Suspended animation, a state of bliss
Cant keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Jon, posted 09-18-2006 3:44 AM Jon has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 6 by Jon, posted 09-18-2006 11:22 PM mike the wiz has replied

  
Jon
Inactive Member


Message 6 of 23 (350140)
09-18-2006 11:22 PM
Reply to: Message 5 by mike the wiz
09-18-2006 9:48 AM


No song tittle? No interpretation? This is surely on the shallow end

This message is a reply to:
 Message 5 by mike the wiz, posted 09-18-2006 9:48 AM mike the wiz has replied

Replies to this message:
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robinrohan
Inactive Member


Message 7 of 23 (350141)
09-18-2006 11:32 PM


"I'll be seeing you"
I'll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through.
In that small cafe,
The park across the way,
The children's carousel,
The chestnut trees, the wishing well.
I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day,
In everything that's bright and gay,
I'll always think of you that way.
I'll see you in the morning sun,
And when the night is through,
I'll be looking at the moon,
But I'll be seeing you.
World War II song. The singer is mourning a fallen soldier. Very tragic. She'll be seeing him in the sense that he will always live in her memory. He's gone--forever. The line "in all the old familiar places" is especially fine. It's all the places they used to go.
Edited by robinrohan, : No reason given.

  
Minnemooseus
Member
Posts: 3941
From: Duluth, Minnesota, U.S. (West end of Lake Superior)
Joined: 11-11-2001
Member Rating: 10.0


Message 8 of 23 (350143)
09-18-2006 11:59 PM


Moose's all time favorite tune
Written (I think) by Richard, sung by Linda. The album was recorded as their marriage was falling apart.
Richard and Linda Thompson
"Walking On A Wire"
from
"Shoot Out The Lights"
I hand you my ball and chain
You just hand me that same old refrain
I'm walking a wire
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling --
I wish I could please you tonight
But my medicine just won't come right
I'm walking on a wire
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling --
Too many steps to take
Too many spells to break
Too many nights awake
And no one else
This grind stone's wearing me
Your claws are tearing me
Don't use me endlessly
It's too long, too long to myself
Where's the justice
And where's the sense
When all the pain is on my side of the fence
I'm walking on a wire
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling --
It scares you when you don't know
whichever way the wind might blow
I'm walking on a wire
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling --
The part that I view as being ambigious is the -
You just hand me that same old refrain
I'm walking a wire
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling --
Is the -
I'm walking a wire
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
quoting "that same old refrain" or is it the response to "that same old refrain"? I don't know. Perhaps that same ambiguity exits for other parts of the song.
Anyway, to me, a song that is seemingly so straight forward, but still so cryptic.
All in all, I think that "Shoot Out the Lights" is a must own album (I bought a back up copy).
Moose

  
alacrity fitzhugh
Member (Idle past 4288 days)
Posts: 194
Joined: 02-10-2004


Message 9 of 23 (350144)
09-19-2006 12:01 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Jon
09-18-2006 3:44 AM


Type o Negatives:
Too Late: Frozen
So you've come to say you're very sorry.
"It won't happen again - forgive me?"
Time will not heal these wounds.
And I'm bleeding because of you.
Was everything we had just a joke?
I've run out of patience, tears and hope.
Love does not conquer all.
And I'm screaming because of you.
Too late for apologies.
In the shadow of the light from a black sun.
Frigid statue standing icy blue and numb.
Where are the frost giants I've begged for protection?
I'm freezing.
Cold winter winds that chill my heart with sleet & snow.
Not from the north come to this glacial abode.
But from your dimension cryogenic limbo.
I'm freezing.
I'm frozen.
It's too late.
The pain of lose and the feeling of betrayal then the despair that follows. You really have to hear it to get the effect.

This message is a reply to:
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arachnophilia
Member (Idle past 1343 days)
Posts: 9069
From: god's waiting room
Joined: 05-21-2004


Message 10 of 23 (350145)
09-19-2006 12:02 AM
Reply to: Message 3 by subbie
09-18-2006 7:50 AM


Re: Kodachrome
Continuing in a similar vein with another Paul Simon song, Kodachrome.
It's about masturbation, or at least this part is:
as a photographer myself, i can tell you that photography is about the single most masturbatory of hobbies known to man. what with comparing the focal lengths of lenses -- i even have a behemoth 6lb mf camera that my friends have dubbed "the penis" because it looks like i'm over compensating for something when i walk around with it.


This message is a reply to:
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jar
Member (Idle past 393 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 11 of 23 (350146)
09-19-2006 12:09 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Jon
09-18-2006 3:44 AM


A Mothers Lament
A mother was washing her baby one night;
The youngest of ten and a delicate mite.
The mother was poor and the baby was thin;
'Twas naught but a skeleton covered with skin.
The mother turned 'round for a soap off the rack.
She was only a moment but when she turned back
Her baby had gone, and in anguish she cried,
"Oh, where has my baby gone?" The angels replied:
Oh, your baby has gone down the plug hole.
Oh, your baby has gone down the plug.
The poor little thing was so skinny and thin,
He should have been washed in a jug, innnnnn aaaaa jug.
Your baby is perfectly happy;
He won't need a bath anymore.
He's a-muckin' about with the angels above,
Not lost but gone on before.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Jon, posted 09-18-2006 3:44 AM Jon has not replied

  
kuresu
Member (Idle past 2512 days)
Posts: 2544
From: boulder, colorado
Joined: 03-24-2006


Message 12 of 23 (350160)
09-19-2006 1:19 AM
Reply to: Message 6 by Jon
09-18-2006 11:22 PM


the song mike the wiz posted is
learning to fly
by pink floyd. album--momentary lapse of reason. there are better floyd songs, in my opinion, but it ain't bad--one of the best off that album.
in case you didn't know

This message is a reply to:
 Message 6 by Jon, posted 09-18-2006 11:22 PM Jon has not replied

  
kuresu
Member (Idle past 2512 days)
Posts: 2544
From: boulder, colorado
Joined: 03-24-2006


Message 13 of 23 (350161)
09-19-2006 1:21 AM
Reply to: Message 2 by Archer Opteryx
09-18-2006 5:31 AM


Re: Jubilation
seeing as how this is a debate forum
That's a really good song, and man are you deep. personally, I think that songs about being jilted. what could be more insulting that finding out your lover's sleeping with another man (or woman, as they case may be).
I'll get back to y'all with my favorite--it'll take some time, gotta review my music collection.

Want to help give back to the world community? Did you know that your computer can help? Join the newest TeamEvC Climate Modelling to help improve climate predictions for a better tomorrow.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by Archer Opteryx, posted 09-18-2006 5:31 AM Archer Opteryx has not replied

  
arachnophilia
Member (Idle past 1343 days)
Posts: 9069
From: god's waiting room
Joined: 05-21-2004


Message 14 of 23 (350191)
09-19-2006 6:29 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Jon
09-18-2006 3:44 AM


can i do more than one?
quote:
Vast - Flames
close your eyes
let me touch you there
let me give you something that is real
close the door
leave your fears behind
let me give you what you're giving me
you are the only thing
that makes me want to love at all
when I am with you
there's no reason to pretend
that when I am with you I feel flames again
just put me inside you
I would never ever leave
just put me inside you
I would never ever leave
you
acoustic guitar, vocals, and a cello. it's about as close to making love as you can get musically, intimacy captured in song. this is one of the few bands i know that can from a song about jesus into a song about sex on the very next song. maybe i'll post the jesus song, too -- i was actually thinking of making a "songs about jesus by artists not associated with christianity" thread.
also, on a "sex" theme:
quote:
Imogen Heap - Come Here Boy
It's dark in here
And visions are flashing into my head as I reminisce
My re-occuring dream
And you said
I'm falling, falling for you boy,
And my feelings are getting stronger
So why don't you stay with me for a, for a little longer?
Come here boy
I know that my face
Is only too familiar to your sleep
I can see it in you eyes
And I can tell by your body
Why are you taking so long
Do you need me to come and find you, honey?
To set your mind at rest
And let your dreams run free
Come here boy
You know I'm no stranger in your dreams
You know, I'm no stranger in your dreams
Oh but I'm craving and counting
I'm begging and pleading
Be mine tonight, oh yeah
Well I'm waiting and dying
I'm wanting and waiting
To show you how much I care
Where I'll be touching and holding
Caressing and giving you
Every finety, yeah
I'll get you dreaming and lusting
And burning and crying
For more of this ecstacy, oh yeah
Come here boy
You know, you know
I'm no stranger in your dreams
it just does evil things to me.


This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Jon, posted 09-18-2006 3:44 AM Jon has not replied

  
mike the wiz
Member
Posts: 4752
From: u.k
Joined: 05-24-2003


Message 15 of 23 (350237)
09-19-2006 9:52 AM
Reply to: Message 6 by Jon
09-18-2006 11:22 PM


This is surely on the shallow end
. I just thought nobody would want to hear my boring interpretation. I just love the song. I love "one slip" perhaps a bit more, but the lyrics weren't as good.
As Kuresu mentioned, it's P.F. when I first heard those two songs, both my ears orgasmed. What about your fave?
Edited by mike the wiz, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
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