Lyrics Decoded: Across the Universe

Words are flowing out like
Endless rain into a paper cup
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe.
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
Are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me.
Jai Guru Deva. Om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Images of broken light, which
Dance before me like a million eyes,
They call me on and on across the universe.
Thoughts meander like a
Restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe.
Jai Guru Deva. Om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Sounds of laughter, shades of life
Are ringing through my opened ears
Inciting and inviting me.
Limitless undying love, which
Shines around me like a million suns,
It calls me on and on across the universe
Jai Guru Deva.
Jai Guru Deva.
Jai Guru Deva.
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world

These are some of my favourite lyrics ever sung. Although my favourite Beatles song changes by the day, these have remained my favourite Beatles lyrics since I first heard the song on a rainy car journey. The way it is sung is so ethereal it seems to transport you out of yourself, and I would say that this is the song I turn to if I need to soothe my mind and think about something seriously.

The most important line in this song is: 'Pools of sorrow waves of joy/Are drifting through my opened mind/Possessing and caressing me.'  This is especially profound to someone anxious, as it shows a state of mind anyone with worries feels like they need to inhibit. Lennon here allows us to truly understand what he is thinking, and that is - nothing. He keeps his mind open, letting whatever thoughts he must have float through and leave as they see fit. His thoughts are there and he is aware of them, but he pays them no hedence. He locks them away and packages them inside a box to send away. He knows that all negativity is an illusion created by the mind - only real experiences matter.

Now, 'Jai Duru Deva Om' is supposed to roughly translate to 'praise to the victorious one' or  'glory to the guru' or something along those lines. However, this is merely just a mantra. What matters is the sound of the words, not what they actually mean. Purely, its what they mean to you that matters. Your mantra could be something as nonsensical as 'Buddha is a fluffy cushion' and it would be completely appropriate, because saying the very word - letting the syllables roll over your tongue over and over will occupy your mind so only the truest thoughts come through. Well, that is my theory anyway.

I personally listen to this song when I'm feeling hopeless. My mantra is 'nothings gonna change my world' because it gives me such comfort to think that no matter what happens, I will always be the same inherent person. Nothing can change your state of mind, the way you are. I like it because it gives me a sense of destiny. Yes this thing happened, but it was meant to. My world is supposed to go one way, and nothing can divert it from that track. 

So, in essence, this is a song to comfort you. To soothe your worries, and keep you feeling absolutely safe in your destiny.

Lyrics Decoded - Pyramid Song

This blog has always been about the feelings music instil in you. I have already looked at songs without singers - showing where music begins at words' ends - however, lyrics also provide a great poetry unrivaled by any other medium. I have decided to purely decode a song based on what I, personally, got from it - looking deeply into the background of why I see it in a certain way, and hopefully opening your minds to another view. Everyone's take on a song's lyrics are equally valid as I believe the listener has just as much weight on meaning as the artist does.

Pyramid Song - Radiohead

I jumped in the river and what did I see?
Black-eyed angels swam with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
All the things 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 things 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

I thought long and hard about what I would choose to decode first. I eventually chose this because it seems to hold more weight lyrically to me than any other song I have been pleasured with hearing. It doesn't just resonate with me on a physical level - instead it seems to encapsulate my religious and philosophical beliefs more than any organized religion or outdated philosopher ever has.

One aspect I got from this was musings on an afterlife. What is so beautiful about this, to me, is this afterlife doesn't exclude. Radiohead's words are ones of togetherness. 'all my lovers were with me/ all my past and futures/we all went to heaven in a little rowboat/and there was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt'. This song seems to bind together humanity in such a simple way. The imagery of a little rowboat is crucial - we have to move it. We all must come together to row this little boat in order to get to our destination. 'Heaven' here can be subjective. Is heaven actually an afterlife? Or is it an earthly bliss - a world of peace. Either way, it works wonders. We must come together in order to get to heaven. Everyone's personal heaven will be different, but the beauty here lies in togetherness. My personal view on this IS of an afterlife, but of one that transcends all religion. A sort of collective unconscious that pools together a shared knowledge - ultimate togetherness. I came to this conclusion after reading a lot of Carl Jung, who described this theory as: “The third level [of consciousness], the innermost core, is what we are now calling the superconscious mind... [it] houses our real identity, augmented by the subconscious which contains the memories of many….”. Once listening to this song after reading Jung's theories, I began to see the world in a whole new light.

I also found a sense of great comfort from this song. Most hear the drawling piano and decide this song is 'depressing', but this always saddens me. Here is a perfect example of how lyrics can transform a song. The melancholy vocals of this track have the juxtaposition of an isolating comfort. They seem to remove you from the 'real world', having a strange, disconnected sensation with every listen. However, they also seem to envelop you - I fidn myself not caring or feeling lonely in the isolation. Instead, I truly begin to believe 'there is nothing to fear/nothing to doubt'. I don't find this song depressing at all. Instead, I find it strongly comforting and bursting with hope. 

I do hope you enjoyed my viewpoint, and would love to hear any of your takes on the song. I reiterate - there are many ways to view this. This is just a personal discussion, that I think everyone must get involved in when listening to any song.

2012 - My Personal Year in Music

Some might say this past year has not been the best for music. With hits such as Gangnam Style's coordinated spasms, and Carly Rae Jepson's stalker sensation 'Call Me Maybe', these past twelve months seem to have been littered with musical mishaps more than they have marvels.

But for me personally, I will always remember 2012 to be the year music mattered to me. Don't get me wrong, before now I have of course called myself a music lover - I mean, who doesn't? But, this year was the year I actually discovered its merit. Before now, I used to be a straight-up rock girl (in a phase I would affectionately call the 'grunge monkey' days), turning up my nose at genre's such as country, folk or jazz. It was this year that my eyes (or more appropriately, ears) were opened. Mostly through my vinyl collection I have been slowly building since January, but some through the different musical individuals I have met over the course of this year. Whether it be a record store owner that puts on free gigs to whoever has the time to listen, the people that play there, or a duo of intelligent musicians who wanted to tell the story of a Blank Room - I have been shown what music means. And more than that, what music can do.

So yes, Muse has brought out a new album that I loved, Adele has written a Bond theme I actually like, and Gotye got me singing to the radio every so often with his hit 'Somebody I Used to Know'. However, I think these artists have had enough coverage, especially with the nostalgic new year reviews littering the television. No, I want to shed light on some of the independent artists I have come to enjoy this year.

Brandall/Tyrrell - Blank Room





Here are some personal friends of mine that have decided to try to bring something new to the musical spectrum - something that seems to hardly happen nowadays. A far cry from the pointless lyrics and robotic voices of this year's hits, Blank Room creates a complex picture of entrapment and solitude. Here, we can hear intelligent lyrics that still seem to hit your heart, and music that actually transform your surroundings. When listening to this EP, I find myself in that Blank Room. This is so transcendent, you feel in a state of being that is both solitary and comfortable, being helped along the way by the friendly vocals of the rapper. It's hard to define this genre as rap, as I find it a spoken word masterpiece that transcends any genre, and is rather worth a listen.

Since this EP has been announced to be only half of a full album (the rest supposedly coming some time next year), it is available for free download on Bandcamp, and streaming on soundcloud (both links below).

Soundcloud

Bandcamp

Jack Carty - Break Your Own Heart
 I am aware that acoustic singer-songwriters aren't scarce today - you can find one in your nearest Grill'd on a Saturday night. Jack Carty, however, speaks to me like poetry. His song given the most coverage, She's Got A Boyfriend, seems to have picked the most accessible out of the bunch - in this case showcasing the weakest song on the album. When I saw him back when I first started this blog, the simple guitar arrangement and honesty in the vocals affected me deeply. This wasn't just music - this was a man's feelings and poetry put forward in musical form.

The best song that expresses this seems to be Travelling Shoes. To me, it conveys an honesty that isn't found in the poppy styling of She's Got A Boyfriend. Below is Jack himself just singing it as I first heard it, live with just a guitar.

So, my year in music sure has been an interesting one. I would like to thank those who made me come to the realizations that I have this year, and also those who have stuck with this blog since the beginning. I hope in the next year to come, I will find many more interesting artists with something new to bring to the table.

Vinyl Spotlight: My Personal Collection

The reason I began this blog is because of my love of music. The one thing I haven't really touched on, however, is my love for records in particular. I have an ever expanding collection, ranging from Frank Sinatra to Gotye, and I must admit - I find it a better way to listen to music.

Most people would argue it is better because of the sound quality. Although I don't deny this might be true, I find a deeper reason for loving my turntable. It's the experience of music you don't get anywhere else. A lot more love and care is taken by placing the huge disk on its platform, placing the needle gently on its edge. I find that when I listen to a vinyl, its not just music to nod along to in the background. It overshadows the entire an atmosphere, almost like a grand fireplace.  For me, it makes me feel at home.

It is also great to highlight albums in particular. I must admit, I was the worst for picking highlight tracks and sticking with them, never bothering to listen to a full album as, in honesty, I could never be bothered. It was my worst habit as a listener, and through discovering vinyl I also discovered the merits of letting an album flow seamlessly through its story.

The vinyl that started this all off was The Flaming Lips' Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (the super special red edition)

 

This is, by far, my favourite Flaming Lips LP. Now, usually, I would just listen to 'Do You Realize?' and perhaps 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Part 1' from time to time, without really giving the rest of the album a look in. However, when this was played to me on vinyl it was something else. The strange but happy beats filled the room, making everyone in it seem bouncier and that bit more vibrant a technicolour. This album taught me not to skip (well, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Part 2 might be an exception), and taught me the value of a full, untouched album. And for that, to the Flaming Lips, I would be forever grateful.

 

Literary iPod: Jay Gatsby

 
It's no longer news that Baz Luhrmann is adapting The Great Gatsby into a Hollywood production early next year. I was excited at this prospect, before it was revealed that this 'Gatsby' remake will be backed by modern music (although it will still be set in the 1920's... what's the logic?). Although, to me, doing it like that made as much sense as a chocolate teapot, I thought I'd do some research and try to discover what music will be blaring at Gatsby's parties. Surely something big band - something jazz influenced with grand, expensive sounds?

Unfortunately, no. Instead of the warm, rich brass sounds we instead get synthetic beats. Artists such as Jay Z, Kanye West and Jack White (albeit covering U2) all grace Gatsby's playlist, and it just doesn't sit right with me. So, I decided to make my own version of Gatsby's personal playlist as part of my Literary iPod posts.

1. Big Spender - Shirley Bassey

This is everything Gatsby thinks he needs to be for Daisy. His whole identity is constructed to be this 'big spender'. He would probably listen to this and imagine himself surrounded by wealth, being pursued by that one woman he wants. When he eventually does become that, he would listen to his song as a way to celebrate.

2. I Can't Get Next to You - The Temptations

This mirrors his obsession, his frantic need to be with Daisy. No matter what feats he has accomplished, Daisy is still as far away as ever. This version suits his more passionate, frustrated moments, whereas I couldn't resist thinking of him floating on his pool listening to the Al Green version (below) and thinking of that green light.

3. The Wee Small Hours - Frank Sinatra

An absolute classic, I think Gatsby would lie on his bed, lonely, going over his times with Daisy in his head. The lyrics 'you'd be hers if only she would call' are chillingly beautiful, especially if seen in relation to his plight. On a personal note, this is one of my absolute favorite songs - a timeless classic that will always remain untouchable, no matter what the latest trend in music is.

4. Dream a Little Dream - Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

After his reunion with Daisy, Gatsby would probably listen to this song as a reminder of their love. He would probably imagine Daisy thinking of him while lying in bed next to her husband, listening to this as a reminder that he owns her heart. He wants her to be obsessed with him as much as he is with her, which brings another layer into this already gorgeous song.

5. Money - Pink Floyd

Although different to everything else I put on this list, I can't listen to this song without thinking of, arguably, the greatest materialist in literature. Although more contemporary than other songs on his playlist, this song will remain forever timeless with its simple backing. Oh, and of course Gatsby would just love to hear the sound of the cash register on repeat. An obsession with money would probably make that one of his favorite sounds in the universe.

Due to the great reception these posts are receiving, I will be sure to do more :) So stay tuned!

 

Songs Without Singers

People don't seem to understand that music is a lot more than just the lyrics. As I have said in my last post, music begins where words end, so music can stand alone from the poetry behind them.
Now, lyrics can be out of this world - and I will soon do a post about what I think are some of the greatest lyrics I have ever come across - but I find instrumental music (of any kind) is often looked over when it comes to discovering new tunes. Since this is a recommendations blog, I thought it would be good to show you what music on its own can actually be, compiling a short playlist to get you all started.

So, here are my top 5 singer-less songs.

1. Dayvan Cowboy - Boards of Canada

It takes a while to set up, so stick with this one. This is probably one of my absolute favorites, especially when the guitar and drums kick in to gear. It's absolutely transcendent, and if I had an epic movie made of my life - this would back some sort of montage in there. Great to use when you need to do some work - typing to this makes it seem you are on the brink of a creative discovery.

2. Space Walk - Lemon Jelly

This is a bit of a cheat. There are words in here, but they come from a sample of an astronaut in space, looking at the wonders around him. The music is what makes this, and the repeated 'beautiful, beautiful, beautiful....just beautiful' running through the track seems more like another instrument than it does any type of words. Worth a listen, especially if you need to hear something uplifting.

3. Arieth's Theme - FFVII

The closest to classical orchestral music on this list, Arieth's theme is just an absolutely beautiful piece of work. Now, I could take kudos for this find, but to be honest the beauty of the music from Final Fantasy VII was shown to me by my partner. I have not played more than a level of this game, however, when I heard this song for the first time it took me somewhere not many pieces of music have managed. It hits right at your heart strings, and is worth a listen regardless of whether you like the game it hails from.

4. Singing Under the Rainbow - World's End Girlfriend

 

This is what I imagine landing on a different, beautiful planet will sound like. Once you get past the initial strangeness, it is amazing to listen to. My advice, lie on your bed with your eyes closed and listen to this. You wont be disappointed.

5. Farewell - Apocalyptica

 

 

I love cello music, and I find this song darkly uplifting. I went through a phase where I liked a lot of darker, grungier music, and this is the only thing I haven't as of yet grown out of. This is a great song to relax to, and is great if you're in a more sombre mood.

 

Literary Notes: Music and Books

Music seems to begin where words end, expressing things we cannot express with mere syllables. I know from experience - as a blogger, trying to describe a song you want to recommend to everyone is just an absolute nightmare! From the beginning, I have said this blog is all about the emotion music gives you, and how it can spark imagination.

I love to read. The happiest place I could ever be found in is surrounded by books with a vinyl on. Since I have been busy lately with my Literature course, I realized I didn't have a chance to read my OWN books, the ones I always buy when out. So, with the terrible side effect of abandoning this blog for a short while, I found that I had spent a lot of my time with my head buried in a book.

One of these books was 'A Visit From the Goon Squad' by Jennifer Egan, and it gave me this idea. Apart from recommending the book to you all (you should read it though, it's great), the one thing that interested me about this book was its musical feel. It was then to my delight that the author herself had compiled a playlist of songs to listen to while reading her novel. It reminded me of the time my favorite teacher asked us all to make a playlist for Hamlet as homework, and although fun I found it rather pointless.

When thinking about these things now, I began to muse on what music can add to a novel. What would other classic characters listen to if they had the music of today? What music will provide a background for certain books? Where can I find out? So, I decided to do this little feature. I will compile a small playlist of about 3 songs for one classic character, and recommend an album to listen to alongside some kind of book. It will be a regular thing, so if you want to recommend anyone to me - go right ahead.

Atticus Finch

After a lot of thought, this is probably my favorite classic literary character ever, so I couldn't resist. Since he is an inward, thoughtful type, I can't help but imagine him listening to dark, poetic blues. Soulful words with distinctive voices.

The first artist I thought he would adore is Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. With deep, haunting vocals and simple guitar in the background, it seems to reflect the darker side of small town life. Since he is a lawyer, I don't think he would be able to resist 'Henry Lee'. I also MAY have chose this particular song because the author of To Kill a Mockingbird is Harper Lee, and it sounds similar. Either way, I think this will be a good choice.

Next, I thought he would have something to remind him of Tom Robinson. Something to reflect the plight of what he and Tom went through. Something melancholic, yet soulful at the same time. Also, it would be a song of mourning, and that reflects unity (something Atticus seemed to strive for). This is why I chose 'Down tn the River to Pray' by Alison Krauss. This song means the same to anyone, Christian or not, and the beautiful, goosebump-inducing moment when she calls the 'sinners' is something very special.

Finally, something of hope and wisdom. Atticus's kids would have had a huge impact on him, and I think the simple wisdom of 'Imagine' would resonate with him. I don't think this song needs any more introduction.

And now for the album spotlight...

 

Aryeh Frankfurter & Lisa Lynne - Weaving Worlds

This music literally makes you feel as if you are in the middle of an enchanted forest surrounded by fairies. It is very, very mystical - with beautiful harps and strings that seem to transport you to another world. This is fantastic to listen to in relation to traditional fantasy books - whether it be Lord of the Rings or similar. Something with magic and deep forests will come to life with this as its soundtrack. Here is a quick sample to have a listen: