What do you think of this song?

[kenny]

"In A Week", by Karen Crowley and Hozier.

Apparently it's a tender love song about dying ... together.

 

[monarch64]

Hozier's music is typically about love, sex, or dying (either as a euphemism for orgasm, or something like this) so I'm not super shocked at this one. It's really pretty. Also it seems like there is a ton of Irish music about death and dying--google "irish songs about dying." So maybe it's a cultural thing?

At any rate, it's a very romantic song. Kind of feeds into the theory that we humans are here to feed the planet's plants. I like it.

 

[AGBF]

When I read Monnie's "review", I really wanted to hear it and was glad I listened. I love Hozier's sound and was not disappointed in this song. As she said, musically this pretty. In fact, in my opinion, pretty is too light a word to describe the music. I find it beautiful and a bit haunting. It reminds me a bit of the 1960's group "Pentangle".

While I would not say that the descriptions of how dead flesh would be handled by animals shocked me, I cannot say that I found it romantic. It didn't make me have the same emotions that are invoked by the suicides in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", another piece that deals with the death of two lovers, for instance. I guess that the classic, tragic theme still works for me as a way of grabbing my attention!

I did find it interesting, however. Songs that invoke death as a theme may be part of the Irish tradition, but I really doubt there are many extant Irish songs that are this unrestrained.

 

[monarch64]

Deb, I like your interpretations. I think what I found romantic was the "couple's" assertion that even after their physical bodies had been dead for a week, and feasted on by other life forms, and also potentially noticed by other humans due to the smell and the sounds of the vultures, they would be together in some other world. All of the things we, in this world, perceive as ugly or gross, wouldn't matter to the couple because they'd be off on a new adventure someplace transcendant.

Listening again, and thinking more deeply into the subject matter of the lyrics, I feel they touch on that whole flesh/body vs. soul thing that people talk about when they're in love. For example, when two people decide that they're soulmates. I.e. their souls are connected in a way that their flesh/bodies won't be able to sustain forever.

Not sure about the Irish/death/dying thing...just bouncing ideas off these little forum walls.

 

[AprilBaby]

It's hauntingly beautiful! I adore Irish music (probably because I'm half Irish) and the voices are stunning. The lyrics are a bit squeamish.

 

[azstonie]

I'm of Irish descent and imho we are all over the place when it comes to death/dying. My relatives are either very matter-of-fact about it, or in complete denial. Probably the combo of paganism, Catholicism/Protestantism, and those Vikings who snuck into our DNA through nefarious means.

 

[AGBF]

Thank you for posting this, kenny. It is this kind of thread which is sometimes provoked by something you post that is terribly missed while you are away from the boards. I should speak for myself. I will rephrase. I am sorry that you ever have to leave the board because there is sadness or stress in your personal life; I do not wish that on you. But in addition, I miss threads like these when you are not on Pricescope. Some of the weird things you post provoke intense, funny, and very thoughtful discussions.

Deb

 

[kenny]

Thanks Deb.
I appreciate that.
And I love (and missed) the open, varied, smart and quirky community here.
Makes me feel right at home.

BTW, I found a website called songmeanings dot com where you and I can post our take on a song.
Lots of interesting opinions on this song.
Annoying ads and you have to scroll way down to find the comments ...
http://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107859492759/

Monnie, thanks for pointing out the Irish influence.
As a kid I grew up hearing Joan Baez doing many old folk songs from Ireland and the UK.
Lots of love and death in those songs.

I see America as particularly squeamish about the ultimate taboo, death, though it's the only thing we all have in common.
Countries vary when it comes to death, and social/cultural variations fascinate me.
Mexico actually has a holiday "Dia de los Muertos" or Day of the Dead".
The 2009 Japanese film, "Departures" won an Oscar for best foreign made film.
This is one of my favorite films ever.
Please check this out ...

 

[monarch64]

Thanks for the recommendation, Kenny. I will add "Departures" to my list of films to watch. Have you ever seen HBO's "Six Feet Under?" It's an excellent series and if you like quirky, smart, provocative stuff it'd be right up your alley.

The thought of death really used to frighten me. When I was a teenager, I'd lie in bed at night sometimes and imagine what if there were nothing after death, and I'd feel so anxious and afraid. But one day I came to the realization that, like before you're born, you don't know that you exist, so it must be the same after death. Whether that's the case, it doesn't matter. It's my personal conclusion and allows me to sleep soundly at night at least.

My mom is cool with death because she truly, deeply believes that she's going to the Christian version of Heaven, and she hates her body so she'll be glad to be rid of it finally. My dad won't even talk about death even though he's grappled with cancer for 14 years now. His mother was the same, never left a will, and let me tell you the struggle was real when she died and the family had to divvy up her estate. Yuck.

Last, one more recommendation is a movie with Matthew McConaughey called "The Sea of Trees." If you have Amazon Prime it's free on Prime Video right now. Otherwise find another way to watch it. Very interesting and moving film.

 

[kenny]

Thanks, I'll look for 6 Feet Under and Sea of Trees, but I only have Netflix and of course youtube.

 

[AprilBaby]

Six feet under was hilarious!