posted
I was flipping through the stations when I came upon this beauty of a song: Alone Again (Naturally) by Gilbert O'Sullivan. At first, it seemed like a boring, slow piece. The beat was, after all, quite monochromatic--a simple dah (1) dah (2) DAH (3-4).
And, indeed, the first few lines seemed uninteresting: In a little while from now If I'm not feeling any less sour I promise myself to treat myself And visit a nearby tower
Then came the next part...
And climbing to the top will throw myself off
Wow. That caught my attention. An explanation is given shortly. In an effort to make it clear to who Ever what it's like when you're shattered Left standing in the lurch at a church Where people saying: "My God, that's tough She's stood him up"
Translation: this man was stood up by his soon-to-be wife.
That part of the song ends, having expressed, despite the slow tune, the true tragedy that has befallen this man. Indeed, the first few lines that seemed boring at first are now downright brutally ironic--especially considering how casually they were delivered.
In a little while from now If I'm not feeling any less sour I promise myself to treat myself And visit a nearby tower
As we enter the second stage of the song, the core beat is supplemented by a subtle violen. Though the main feeling of the song is maintained, for the most part this stanza is drawing the listener further into the plot.
To think that only yesterday I was cheerful, bright and gay Looking forward to well wouldn't do The role I was about to play But as if to knock me down Reality came around And without so much, as a mere touch Cut me into little pieces
If we structure the song like a short story, this would be the exposition after the inital hook of jumping from a tower.
The song, however, becomes even more passionate and tortured when the character accuses God.
Leaving me to doubt Talk about God and His mercy Or if He really does exist Why did He desert me[?] in my hour of need I truly am indeed Alone again, naturally
[? mine]
His faith in God is shaken. If God exists, how could such a thing happen?
The song continues, and has its good and bad sides, but overall, it is truly a fantastic capturing of sadness and depression.
posted
And when you get to the top of the tower... looking down at the little people below... alone... all alone... just remember...
I used to have a girlfriend But I guess she just couldn't compete With all these love starved women Who keep clamoring at my feet
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble When you're perfect in every way I can't wait to look in the mirror Cuz I get better lookin each day To know me is to love me I must be a hell of a man Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble But I'm doin' the best that I can
Well I probably could find me another But I guess they're all in awe of me Who cares, I never get lonesome Cuz I treasure my own company
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble When you're perfect in every way I can't wait to look in the mirror Cuz I get better lookin' each day To know me is to love me I must be a hell of a man Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble But I'm doin' the best that I can
I guess you could say I am a loner A cowboy all locked up and proud Well I could have lots of friends if I wanted But then I wouldn't stand out in a crowd
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble When you're perfect in every way I can't wait to look in the mirror Cuz I get better lookin each day To know me is to love me I must be a hell of a man Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble But I'm doin' the best that I can
Some folks say that I'm egotistical Hell I don't even know what that means I guess it has something to do with the way That I fill out my skin tight blue jeans
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble When you're perfect in every way I can't wait to look in the mirror Cuz I get better lookin each day To know me is to love me I must be a hell of a man Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble But I'm doin' the best that I can
Courtesy of Mac Davis when he found himself alone again, naturally
posted
You know, this reminds me of my life. I tried so hard, and got so far, but in the end, it didn't even matter. (emo)
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