February
Sunday 6 July 2008 photo 1/1
|
I love the surface innocence of this song which is reinforced by the naive and untrained (inexperienced) voice and the simplistic (uncluttered and unadorned) accompaniment. This serves as a powerful backdrop for what is ultimately a very profound and enlightened message--which makes it all the more potent. (Out of the mouths of babes...) To me, the accompanying video provides some insights to this message. It is loaded with circular symbols that remind us of the cyclical and fluid nature of the world (fish bowl, rolled up wall-paper, one round picture frame, sunflowers, crash cymbals, rolled hay stacks, bass drum, circular horns, floating tube, string of light bulbs, etc.). These are in conflict with the square and rectangular symbols that represent the strict and ordered elements that tend to impose upon and dominate our lives (the locked door, the square & rectangular picture frames, the boxes being delivered, the paper invoices, the very room itself, and even the piano.) Notice that gradually she balances the strict with the fluid. To me, this song outlines the "Fool's Journey" with the fool being the "new soul"--a clean slate, inexperienced, naive, & wanting to experience life. It is confused by conflicts & incongruities (give & take, joy & fear, square & circular, even illusion & reality). The "strange world" is that stage of the hero's adventure when he enters an extraordinary state that will test the soul & lead to transformation & enlightenment. All of this reminds us that life has to be experienced, that mistakes have to be made, & that tests & trials must be encountered in order to achieve fulfillment. It instructs us that we can either create our own reality by way of our dreams & visions, or become a prisoner to those very unfulfilled dreams. Notice how she papers her square walls ("prison") with an idylic outdoor scene ("dream"). (Yet until this soul finds fulfillment, the images will remain just illusions.) Notice that she recreates & adorns her soul-mate with circular images; that the only circular picture frame becomes a window to reality; and that eventually she can push down those square walls that have confined and trapped her spirit. This represents a defining moment of revelation when illusions are shattered, dragons are slain, chains are broken, etc. The awesome silence that follows is then more clearly comprehended. The euphoric scene that follows is a state of enlightment; the square & circular coexist & float upon a fluid reality; life is in balance. The image of the fish being released from its circular prison represents the release (or re-release) of the soul into a higher state of being. The final image is nirvana, heaven, bliss...
Annons
Visa toppen
Show footer