I knew I was in a different phase of my life when songs became about other people in my life. Once upon a time, I would have been the "little girl" in a Depeche Mode song. But when toddler Nu was in a timeout, this part in "Enjoy the Silence" seemed so much about them: "Oh, my little girl/All I ever wanted/All I ever needed/Is here in my arms/Words are very unnecessary/They can only do harm.
More recently when my amazing student KS did a thesis on The Power of Protest Music and Cosmopolitan Themes in Hozier Songs, I kept imagining meet-cutes for them and Hozier.
And this is so weird, but the Ariana Grande song whose second verse begins "And I know, and I know, and I know she gives you everything/ But, boy, I couldn't give it to you" has a chorus that reminds me of Scout and brings me to tears since the time I first heard it on the radio and paid attention... "So one last time/ I need to be the one who takes you home/ One more time/ I promise after that, I'll let you go." What I wouldn't give for one more time with Scout!
Pic: The Red Cedar.
3 comments:
Wow! I know exactly what you mean about how you listen and relate to music now that you're older. It's of course a developmental stage--adolescents and young adults are often more self-absorbed; it's not always a fault, just an actual physical/chemical response to the brain's stage. The world is all about them and their place in it until they've lived more and more firmly established their identity.
The lyrics you posted are very poignant, and I can see exactly why they make you think of Scout. Now I'm thinking of Marlowe, too.
Oh Scout! Oh Marlowe, Oh Mulder! My heart. SIGH. I love that Depeche Mode album, btw.
I sometimes find myself relating to songs that are about romantic love to my relationships in other contexts. The Chicks' "Easy Silence" reminds me of my not-so-talkative son:
Easy silence that you make for me
It's okay when there's nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me
Post a Comment