My last post of year 2011 and I just have to draw a picture of the wonderfulness of human sentiment while yet filling it with the color of my own soul. And so I painted it black. Two songs, both by Death Cab for Cutie (ironic? You don’t say!), hold up to light two aspects of love – one that defines and another that warns. Lyrically and musically, these are brilliant. Do take a listen (just listen, the videos are a distraction you can indulge in later).
The beautiful lyrics of ‘I Will Follow You Into The Dark‘ capture what I believe is the essence of love. No puppy love, this. This one stays right till the end.
| Love of mine some day you will die But I’ll be close behind I’ll follow you into the dark No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white Just our hands clasped so tight Waiting for the hint of a spark |
If heaven and hell decide That they both are satisfied Illuminate the no’s on their vacancy signs If there’s no one beside you When your soul embarks Then I’ll follow you into the dark |
‘I Will Possess Your Heart‘ is epic in its construction. I’m talking about the album version, not the shortened radio version. The instrumental first half of the song has each of the instruments joining in quietly, layering one over the other, building up a huge wave of sound which crashes down on you from its peak (at 4:40 into the song’s 8:31 duration, if you must know – epic, didn’t I say that already?) only to rise as a dark tide as Ben Gibbard sings of obsession. From the opening note, this song bears a menace that could well make you look at every touch that you deemed harmless, every word of what you thought was support, every smile that you saw as kind in a very different light.
| How I wish you could see the potential, the potential of you and me. It’s like a book elegantly bound but, in a language that you can’t read. Just yet There are days when outside your window I see my reflection as I slowly pass, and I long for this mirrored perspective when we’ll be lovers, lovers at last. |
You reject my… advances… and desperate pleas… I won’t let you… let me down… so easily. So easily. You gotta spend some time, love. You gotta spend some time with me. And I know that you’ll find, love I will possess your heart. |
On that happy note suffused with that warm human emotion, love >;->, I wish you a brilliant 2012.
I love this line: It’s like a book elegantly bound but, in a language that you can’t read.
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Death Cab for Cutie… my favourite alt rockers….
It is such a well-written song, isn’t it?
I see you’re back with a new post (after your year-end break?). Thanks for dropping by and do keep coming back.