From Sound of Silence:
And in the naked light I sawI believe I’ve always listened to a song’s lyrics. Often words are sung in a way that makes it difficult to understand. Listening vs. hearing involves more focus and attention.
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
No one dare Disturb the sound of silence
| David Rowe's remake of Bruce's album cover |
(more from David Rowe)
In the last century, I had to rely on the hope that the album liner would include the lyrics. Now an easy internet search provides the words.
My, my, my Delilah! The first post like this one was back in 2014 analyzed the song “Delilah” (link if you care).
My, my, my Delilah! The first post like this one was back in 2014 analyzed the song “Delilah” (link if you care).
Listening for the words and meaning of songs (not just hearing) requires more time but being retired and having the recent gift of Spotify helps.
Bruce Springsteen wrote “Dancing in the Dark” in a single night back in 1984.
Now in a single post, I will provide my analysis of these lyrics as they relate to my current life in this pandemic stressed, politically divided country. The meaning of lyrics change with time.
I get up in the evening and I ain't got nothing to say
I come home in the morning, I go to bed feeling the same way
(he must work nights and have a less than satisfying job)
I ain't nothing but tired, man I'm just tired and bored with myself
(tired could be a sign of COVID19 but boredom is common with stay-at-home orders)
You can't start a fire, you can't start a fire without a spark
(you can’t start an pandemic without a virus)
This gun's for hire even if we're just dancing in the dark
(the idiot elected in 2016 has us all Dancing in the dark)
Message just keep getting clearer, radio's on and I'm moving 'round my place
(what message? The message to vote this idiot out of office is clearer and clearer everyday. Radio’s on ? - today it’s twitter and facebook for overwhelming unclear messages)
I check my look in the mirror, I wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face
(Good luck changing much if you are under a stay-at-home orders. Oh don’t waste too much time with the mirror. It will just make you feel bad.)
Man, I ain't getting nowhere, I'm just living in a dump like this
(Many others feeling the same way provided the home improvement industry with lots of business during the shutdown.)
There's something happening somewhere, baby I just know that there is
(oh don’t get caught up in FOMO)
You can't start a fire, you can't start a fire without a spark
(you can’t start a blog without a post)
This gun's for hire even if we're just dancing in the dark
(dark or not, I never could dance well)
You sit around getting older, there's a joke here somewhere and it's on me
(yeah there are some jokes about all this sitting around - it helps to find a laugh)
I'll shake this world off my shoulders, come on baby this laugh's on me
(the pandemic will end - people just need to join together to work on sooner the better)
Stay on the streets of this town and they'll be carving you up alright
(wear a mask, wash your hands if you stay out on the streets)
They say you gotta stay hungry, hey baby, I'm just about starving tonight
(you gotta stay safe)
I'm dying for some action, I'm sick of sitting 'round here trying to write this book
(getting some action might having you really dying in less than two weeks)
I need a love reaction, come on now baby gimme just one look
(love is good. Looks from 6 feet apart is fairly safe)
You can't start a fire sitting 'round crying over a broken heart
(fire and broken heart - wildfires have become a bigger problem in many parts of the world. They leave broken lives and families)
This gun's for hire even if we're just dancing in the dark
You can't start a fire worrying about your little world falling apart
(just worrying doesn’t help but it’s NOT just somebody’s little world. It’s whole damn world falling apart)
This gun's for hire even if we're just dancing in the dark
Even if we're just dancing in the dark
Even if we're just dancing in the dark
Even if we're just dancing in the dark
Hey baby!
(hey Baby, you the future generation! I hope you can work out these types of problems better than we have)
