It seems that the most serious accusation you could make towards a previous lover/partner/friend/or family member is the simplest phrase of all, “you don’t know me.” With these few words you strip off the protective film on all of your memories, and allow them to be scratched by persistent thoughts that make you question every day, and minute you’ve ever spent devoted to this person.
In reality, does anyone to know who anyone else is? Can we ever truly know someone so well that the soles in our shoes fit the same way from all those endless miles we’ve walked? I think not.
Don’t get me wrong.. I feel that if you’re lucky enough to meet someone who truly understands you, cares about you, and tolerates you on your bad days, you should hold on with all your might, because you’ve got yourself a soul mate, but even soul mates don’t share your body.
There is a fine line in “knowing” someone and being someone, and until you’ve been there and done that in that person’s body (don’t lose me, I know that takes a couple of seconds to reread) then you don’t really know them through and through. There are always going to be those cracks and crevices that you don’t even notice on a house, even if you’ve been living there for years.
This duet with Ben Folds and Regina Spektor takes the frustrated feelings of being misunderstood, and weaves them into a beautiful song. There are always going to be levels of miscommunication with these bonds, because you can’t just expect to fit two individual pieces together (innless you have a blow torch, and then I would suggest that your partner run away as fast as possible). The goal is to realize that there is no way to know everything, and to except that you never will. Too many times people blow situations up without realizing there are two sides to every story. You’ll never know how somebody feels completely, so try to give them the benefit of a doubt, and try to not to be so hard on yourself for not “knowing” everything.
Meh. Not a fan.
ReplyDeleteWriters, artists, and musicians alike have been exploring this theme for decades. The truth of the matter is, we are all 'invisible' to each other. We're defined by our exteriors and constrained by modern communication/art in how we can change said exterior. IMO, that's some burdensome, depressing material and this song is trivializing it.
Sidenote: What's the with the overall feel of the song? It's quirky and upbeat nature is in direct opposition with the lyrics. I'd like to give them credit for this and say that they were purposely using juxtaposition for some contrast, but I doubt it.
Don't take any personal offense to this. Your analyses are getting better. If you want to read/listen to some other stuff that deals with this theme check out Huxley's "Doors of Perception"... Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" also has some overarching themes dealing with identity and how we sculpt our identities (at least that's how I read into parts of the book, but it's a beast with a LOT of themes and social commentary)
-Grayson
Baby Gray Gray,
ReplyDeleteI like the song. I think its quirky tone kind of gives it an edgier feel. The video I put up isn't the official video either. I think you might like the original better.
You can find some depressing material in Britney Spear's "Oops I Did it Again," but it doesn't keep anyone from listening/enjoying the song.
Sometimes we need a quirky beat to tint the sad meaning behind it.
Oh, and I definitely plan on checking out the suggested material.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I like how the upbeat tempo contradicts the message the song conveys. I also love the fact that you can't see Ben Folds or Regina Spektor's face in the video. It really adds to the whole "you don't know me" attitude. Nice choice.
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