On Music: Lyrics
It has come to my attention that I began this blog with the intent to cover concrete and artistic aspects of life, and I have, for the most part, ignored any artistic aspects. I will attempt to right that wrong in this post:
For me, as for most people, music can play many roles in my life: it can be an emotional release, a puzzle, an escape, etc. Sometimes music brings up nostalgia or offers inspiration for the future, but every now and then, for me, a song can have a much stronger impact on the moment. More specifically, the lyrics of a song can offer a new perspective on my life and/or express real emotions that I could not find the words to articulate. Radiohead’s “Pyramid Song” contains such lyrics:
I jumped in the river and what did I see?/Black-eyed angels swam with me/a moon full of stars and astral cards/and all the figures I used to see/All my lovers were there with me/All my past and futures/And we all went to heaven in a little row boat/There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt/I jumped into the river/Black-eyed angels swam with me/a moon full of stars and astral cars/and all the figures I used to see/All my lovers were there with me/All my past and futures/And we all went to heaven in a little row boat/There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt. There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt/There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt.
Initially the song reminded me of Homer’s Odysseus:
“But he’ll make you fight, for he takes the forms of all beasts wind and water, and blinding fire, but you must hold on even so…”
But the song itself stands alone. The words describe one’s own life taken as a whole, an entire lifetime in one experience. The image is powerful and at times, overwhelming. No matter how many times I hear this song, I always feel a unique combination of happiness and sadness.
Anthony Ray I really felt like this post was very meaningful and strong. I like your post for a couple of reasons, first I thought that you used Radioheads Pyramid Song to show how much music means to you and why it is a passion in your life. The lyrics you used really showed how life shouldn't be take for granted and that you can live with fear or doubt!
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that I like was how you kept your post short and to the point. It kept my interest but at the same time did not drag on to the point of where it would lose its meaning. Also you were able to show that music is a big part of your life and that you could not live with out it.
When you related the song to Homer's Odysseus you showed me how intellectual Pyramid Song really is. Homer's Odysseus is a story that is very deep and hard to understand for most people so I liked how you took the last paragraph to fully explain your emotions when listening to Pyramid Song.
Lastly I want you to know that I felt like your post was really effective in giving me a look into your life as a whole. The reason being that you have had struggles and successes that have defined you and made you the person you are today. Keep up the good work man and always make sure you write about the things you are passionate about, and good luck the rest of the year!
Yes, this is such a great fucking song. Radiohead is most definitely one of my favorite bands and “Pyramid Song” is one of their finest. I can’t even say I have a favorite Radiohead song because honestly it’s too tough to pick one. I still have never seen them live, which I need to do soon. I missed them when they came to Chicago for Lollapalooza in 2008 I believe, still regret that to this day. My friend saw them at Lolla and said they were absolutely amazing. I’ve seen youtube videos and such of their live performances and they seem amazing. I mean, c’mon, Thom Yorke’s voice live, that’s a joke. When it’s all said and done Radiohead will be a band from our generation that our kids will ask us about. I have no doubt in my mind that Radiohead will be listened to for years and years to come. Have you heard Atoms for Peace? If you don’t know, it’s a supergroup that consists of Thom Yorke, Flea from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Nigel Godrich (producer for Radiohead), Joey Waronker (has played with R.E.M., Beck, Smashing Pumpkins), and Mauro Refosco of Forro in the Dark. I hope that Atoms for Peace will have a massive summer tour this year. Flea and Thom Yorke combined? That has got to be one hell of a live show. I never would’ve thought that these two would play music together but I can’t wait for what’s in store for these guys.
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