Just my latest musical obsession, this time because it has a good strong beat to run to. And it also has rather explicit sexual undertones and I figured that's absolutely the mood I want to set for Lupercalia. No, I'm not calling it Valentine's Day - I much prefer Roman fertility rituals and feasts than greeting card holidays. That being said, I'm a hopeless romantic in the worst way and would absolutely fall for a Grand Romantic Gesture, like in the movies. I recently watched "When Harry Met Sally" in its entirety (because that's the kind of lame thing I do on a Saturday night). On the surface, it has to be the most boring romantic comedy ever. It is literally just two people being friends for like a decade before realizing they want to be together. What makes the movie is Nora Ephron's dialogue. Harry and Sally are both uniquely ridiculous people....but their ridiculousness complements each other in a way that is absolute magic. Their conversations - if overheard by a curious bystander - probably sound insane. Of course they do - that's what makes them entertaining. And that kind of chemistry is rare. In fact, I'm sure most people think that only exists in the movies, which is why the world is full of cynical people. But I believe in it. At the very least, it's an ideal to strive for. And I'm always being accused of being an idealist (accusations which aren't exactly unfounded but that's irrelevant).
Am I out of my head?
Am I out of my mind?
If you only knew the bad things I like
Don't think that I can explain it
What can I say, it's complicated
Don't matter what you say
Don't matter what you do
I only wanna do bad things to you
So good, that you can't explain it
What can I say, it's complicated
My favorite musical duet combination is perfected in this song - rap music combined with beautiful lyrical interludes sung by a female voice. And I love Camila Cabello's voice - she has such a pure soprano, but she has a special ability to make it sound soulful. If the melody sounds familiar, it's because it is - Machine Gun Kelly sampled the melody Fastball's "Out of My Head" and the lyrics of the original song feed into the chorus. As you may be able to extrapolate from the lyrics, but it's about being into BDSM-influenced sex. Rough sex, in general. There's very much a "there's pleasure in pain" undertone to the words. But the good kind of pain. Pain that sparks memories when you see a familiar bruise on your thigh. Or the enjoyable excitement of having your hands tied behind your back, not being able to control the movement. Before I take this too far, let's talk about the video. Not surprisingly, the director went with a Bonnie & Clyde motif. MGK and Cabello are running from the cops for some unknown crime. The video is interspersed with their love story, which has some rough moments but overall, it's played to emphasize how much they like each other. They are friends first, and that carries them through the hard stuff. Then, at the end of the video, it looks like they attempt to pull a Thelma & Louise. Because - frab nabbit- there's no such thing as a happy love story apparently. Especially not in the music industry.
I love this song and wanted to figure out some way to feature it. "A Walk to Remember" is one of the quintessential romance movies that defined the Millennial ethos on Love. Between this movie, "10 Things I Hate About You," "Save the Last Dance," and "Titanic," it primed an entire generation (especially the younger half) to believe that love can overcome insurmountable obstacles. Even Death, as it turns out. As one of those hopeless people who still believes in true love - real True Love - I've decided to take a closer look at how the romance movie formula takes shape and how that affects the trajectory of the Hero's Journey.
I was recently considering the effect meeting an authentically beautiful soul has on the Hero and his trajectory. In a lot of romance movies - especially romantic tragedies, such as "A Walk to Remember" - one of the two main protagonists is one of these Beautiful Souls. Often times, they are so Pure of Heart that it is to their detriment, and they begin the story as outcasts or ignored because their authenticity makes it difficult to blend in. The Beautiful Soul is often the female lead (there's a reason for this and we'll get to it), but it can be the male lead, as we see in Moulin Rouge. This character generally has a flat arc, in that they believe in something ardently and their entire storyline is centered around testing that conviction. For example, Christian in "Moulin Rouge" believes in Freedom, Beauty, Truth, and Love. Above all else, Love. For Jamie (Mandy Moore's character) in "A Walk to Remember," she truly believes that Landon (Shane West) is a good person, despite the bad, hurtful things he does. This character's mission is to show the other protagonist, through the example of their own authenticity, how to believe in whatever the Beautiful Soul already has faith in. The other protagonist is charged with going through the transformation - to have faith in something, even if it's fleeting. Satine believes in the power of Love before she dies. Landon believes that he's a good person and continues on the path of good, even after Jamie dies. Oh yeah - that's the thing about romantic tragedies - the characters involved usually aren't supposed to be in love with each other for certain reasons, often societal (i.e., race, age, socioeconomic disparities, betrothal to another, long-standing family vendettas) or biological (i.e., a terminal illness, a curse that can't be broken, or Death in one of her other unfortunate guises). Usually someone dies. That is the core choice of the Hero's Love Story - they make a choice to fall in love, even though they know they shouldn't. Even though they know it is short-lived. True Love doesn't always last forever for many reasons, but it would have if circumstances were different. However, it always leaves the protagonist fundamentally reformed as a more authentic version of themselves. This is the alchemical process of the Hero's Journey - to turn lead into gold and often the medium that helps the Hero achieve that is some combination of Love, Faith, and Courage.
There's a song that's inside
Of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write
Over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold
But you sing to me over and over and over again
Let's go into what makes a fantasy romance, because the "Like Stories of Old" channel I've been watching brought up some good points that I only just realized are essential to romances. First, the Lovers are put into a position where they are forced to get to know each other. Some examples: They are stuck together on a long train ride, spending the summer vacation in the same location, or they are working together on a play. In some cases, such as in "A Walk to Remember," they may have been aware of each other for a long time but only get to know each other as a result of being put into a situation where they must interact. Whatever the circumstances are, they always remove whatever barriers there are to the romance and support further intimacy between the characters. Second, they both make the choice to fall in love together. There is no chasing - there's no need for it. The process feels abnormally natural, such that there's no awkwardness or the awkwardness is gotten out of the way relatively quickly. It usually helps that the characters, at least internally, are caring and romantic. They do believe in Love, even if previous experiences have made them cynical. Finally, the circumstances are only there for a short amount of time. It's not that the love has a shelf-life (True Love doesn't and will stick around long after the protagonists separate), but the opportunity to enjoy the romance is short-lived. Reality will come crashing in eventually and separation is inevitable. That's the difference between a romantic comedy and a romantic tragedy. If the characters are reunited, it's a comedy; if the separation is permanent (or if they can only be reunited in death), it's a tragedy.
The scene in "A Walk to Remember" where "Only Hope" is featured is one of my favorite scenes in film. It's during the school play and Jamie is singing the song, during which, she looks like an absolute angel. This is a key point. This is the "Meeting with the Goddess" moment on Landon's journey, where the full weight of Jamie's beauty, kindness, and general good-ness cannot be ignored. He can't look away - everything has been unveiled to him and he must make the choice to pursue it. And he does, with a simple kiss, which is implied to be unscripted. There's also a moment at the end where his girlfriend/ex-girlfriend gets visibly jealous at seeing them together. That's often another element in romantic tragedies - there is another woman, often a femme fatale, who cannot stand to see the Goddess triumph. This woman is not always linked romantically to the Hero. Sometimes, shes simply jealous of the Goddess because of her beauty and/or talent, such as Nini in "Moulin Rouge." Or it's an overbearing mother who doesn't want her daughter to waste her life on a man she deems as unfit ("Titanic" and "The Notebook"). In the end, this leads to another test for the Lovers - often the ultimate test, before they finally end up together (for however long Fate decides).
It should be noted that this song is actually about Jamie's faith in God, but the lyrics were written purposefully so that it could be inferred that she was referring to her growing feelings for Landon. I could keep ranting because I'm pretty sure I missed a few points that were jumbled in my head earlier today, but I'll keep that to myself (or, more likely, write an entire literary analysis that I don't show anyone). Enjoy the following clip from "A Walk to Remember"!
I'm feeling HorrorPops, especially some of their darker stuff. HorrorPops are a Danish punk band, whose influences are mostly rockabilly and psychobilly. Especially when you get into more horrorbilly stuff (like Nekromantix and Calabrese), a lot of the songs are cinematically inspired. On the album, "Kiss Kiss Kill Kill," there are several songs inspired by classic movies. Most notably in my mind was "Thelma & Louise," which draws on the film to paint a picture of a pair of freewheeling girls on a joyride (when, in reality, the ending of the movie was much more tragic). The titular song itself, which I'm featuring today, takes it's name from a campy Euro-Spy movie made in the mid-60s that featured two American police detectives in Yugoslavia. Just judging by the movie poster, it looks ridiculous - but, then again, I'm the type of person who likes to watch awesomely bad movies.
In this shiver of symphony
the closing shadows turn like a still
a thousand feet across the floor
and in a second I'll never grow old
quiet now quiet now
crying I won't stop
the quivers running down my mind
ha-ah-ah-ah-oh-oh-oh!
close enough
close enough
and I'm feeling tired
(kiss kiss kill kill)
(kiss kiss kill kill)
The actual song lyrics, however, sound more like something out of a dimestore vampire novel. I couldn't find much on the lyrics meaning, so I'm going to go a little rogue and write my own interpretation. The singer is in love with someone who drains her....and she realizes it. But she doesn't want to let go. If he/she's going to kill her, she welcomes it. Like a soft kiss. I always thought that was the most disturbing part of the most recent spate of vampire/werewolf romances. It's like the collective unconscious believes that love has to be painful and even dangerous. Or maybe it's just the same story - we want to believe love changes people for the better, even when we (literally) love a monster. Even after they've done the absolute worst thing they could to you (like murdered you for your tasty tasty blood, metaphorically speaking). Coincidentally, classic rockabilly films usually center around a high-class girl falling for a "greaser." And, wouldn't you know it, the girl usually gets her heart broken.
Just a brief rundown on rockabilly - it's one of the earliest forms of rock'n'roll, which took hold of America during the 1950s, especially in parts of the South. It mixed elements of country music with that of blues. The name itself is a combination of "rock" and "hillbilly," as if you couldn't have figured that out yourself. The sound was popularized by Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, and - of course - Elvis Presley. One of my first loves. Did you know that Elvis was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division when he was drafted into the Army? Well, I do....but that's because my dad would bring it up all the time because he was also in 10th Mountain Division. Regardless, Elvis was one of my favorite artists growing up, because his sound and his voice was so unique.
Nowadays, rockabilly has become synonymous with the subculture that it birthed. There's a particular style that goes with it, of which I'm quite fond. Femmes have their choice of dressing like a Pink Lady or, if they're feeling fancy, they can squeeze themselves into a "wiggle" dress (this is the actual technical fashion term for that style). In recent years, there's been an explosion in rockabilly style, so if you're life is conducive to dressing in pencil skirts and shimmy dresses all the time, you have plenty of options. Even if you can't do that, a few fit & flare shirt dresses go a long way if you're going for the look (and they're super comfortable). Alternatively, if you identify as the more masculine type, your job is easy - jeans, steel-toed boots, a white t-shirt, and a leather jacket. Fucking classic and super hot.
"The Hazards of Love" album by The Decemberists was a concept album/rock opera that follows a fairy tale dreamed up by the band's front man, Colin Meloy. Here's a brief retelling of the story. Once upon a time....
"The Hazards of Love" Album Artwork
A fair maiden, Margaret, rode out into the taiga. Along the way, she came upon an injured fawn. Being sweet and kind, she stops to help it but, as she kneels down to check its leg, the fawn transforms into a beautiful young man, William. Enthralled by each other, they make love and then William disappears into the forest, as shape-shifting men tend to do. A few months later, Margaret discovers she's knocked up. Desperate, she runs back to the forest to find William. Hearing her cries, William returns to Margaret and finally declares his love for her. They are cuddling and reminiscing about their first night together when William's mother, The Forest Queen, discovers them. And, boy, is she pissed off about their romance.
You see, The Forest Queen saved William when he was abandoned by the river as a baby. She loved him as if he was her own child and bestowed him with the gift of Immortality. She views William's actions as ingratitude. He begs her to allow him one night with Margaret and she concedes. But only one night as a mortal man and then he can never see her again. After the deal is struck, Margaret is kidnapped by The Rake. The Forest Queen, being a raging bitch, gives The Rake permission to rape Margaret and allows him to escape. William cannot follow across the river unless he gives up his life for safe passage. Meanwhile, Margaret is screaming for him to save her. Then, the Rake is stopped by a trio of ghosts - his children whom he murdered - allowing William enough time to rescue Margaret. As they are running away, they choose to get "married" by jumping in the river and drowning while William is still a mortal. As they drown, the make a final pledge of love as they die. Fin.
With this long last rush of air
We'll speak our vows in starry whisper
And when the waves came crashing down
He closed his eyes and softly kissed her
What the fuck is with these people choosing to drown in order to be together forever?! That seems to be a common theme in these fairy tales, even ones that have been written in recent years. In fact, fairy tales written in modern times seem to be even darker, like they're going to be turned into a movie directed by Darren Aronofsky. Let's just drown ourselves! It'll be fun....and it's the ONLY WAY! I didn't know this story was going to take such a dark turn when I started listening to the album - and I have been listening to it the whole time I've been writing this. Because I like the Decemberists. In fact, I sought out a Decemberists song specifically for this month, because they're usually so whimsical and lovely. I've heard "The Rake's Song" on my playlist several times, but I hadn't taken the time to listen to the album before. In this case, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It does get a little confusing because Colin Meloy sings both the parts of William and The Rake. Shara Nova, who plays The Forest Queen, is wonderful and haunting (I highly recommend listening to "The Queen's Rebuke"). The music composition has such depth and makes wonderful use of the harpsichord (I fucking love the harpsichord...it's my favorite instrument). Other favorite songs on the album include "Annan Water" and "The Wanting Comes in Waves." But, for today's video, I chose the final song - "The Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned)" - because it's beautiful and sad and perfectly sums up the entire story. It's a duet - Meloy's strong, soulful tenor harmonizes so well with Becky Starks ghostly soprano....it really is a brilliantly done song and a lovely ending to the entire album. Seriously...try not to cry.
This is a version of the main theme from "Swan Lake" that Canadian metal band, The Agonist, composed for their second album, "Lullabies for the Dormant Mind." I love the ballet and I also happen to love the story of Swan Lake. The ballet was written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the Russian composer who is famous for writing the three Great Ballets, all of which are based on fairy tales - Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, and Swan Lake. Unlike the other two, Swan Lake does not exactly have a happy ending. Well, it has a Russian Happy Ending, which aren't particularly happy at all but are more beautiful and poetic.
Here is the story of Swan Lake. One day, Prince Siegfried is hunting in the forest, unhappy that he will have to choose a bride at a ball because he wants to marry for love. He gets lost in the forest and happens upon a lake filled with swans. He is about to shoot one with his bow when it transforms into a beautiful maiden, Odette. She explains that a sorcerer, Rothbart, has cursed her and her companions to live as swans during the day. The curse will only be broken if someone who has never loved before pledges to love only her forever. Siegfried offers to kill Rothbart but if the sorcerer dies before the curse is broken, Odette and her friends will stay swans forever. Over the course of the night, Odette and Siegfried fall in love. Siegfried vows to declare his love for Odette at the upcoming ball.
At the ball, Rothbart appears with his daughter, Odile (the Black Swan) magically disguised as Odette. The other princesses that are in attendance try to get Siegfried's attention but he only has eyes for the transformed Odile. Odette appears at the window, trying to get Siegfried's attention, but to no avail. Siegfried declares his love for Odile in front of all the guests. Afterwards, Rothbart reveals that Siegfried has declared his love for the wrong woman. Siegfried, horrified by the mistake he has made, returns to the lake. He apologizes to Odette. She forgives him but the damage is done. Heartbroken that the curse will never be lifted and she will never be with her True Love, Odette chooses to die than to remain a swan forever. Siegfried, not wanting to live without his Odette, chooses to die with her and they both jump into the lake and drown. Their act of love breaks the curse on Odette's friends and they return to their human form as Odette and Siegfried ascend to heaven. Fin.
Odette and her friends, St. Petersburg Ballet
That's how you know the difference between a romantic comedy and a romantic tragedy. They follow almost exactly the same pattern and at some point, the lovers are going to be separated, seemingly indefinitely. In a romantic comedy, the Universe conspires through a series of unlikely events to bring them together finally and the story ends with a wedding. In a romantic tragedy, the only way the lovers can be together is in death. Usually one or both dies, and a suicide pact like the one seen in Swan Lake is not uncommon in these stories.
"The Swan Princess" came out when I was a kid and I loved the movie. They gave the movie a happier ending than the one I described. Yes, the Prince declares his love mistakenly to the Black Swan but True Love's Kiss is able to save Odette. I think the original ending is more beautiful. Sometimes, Death is the only ending for a tragic love story and is needed to fix the world in which the story resides, as in "Romeo and Juliet" or "Tristan and Isolde." I find that Russian fairy tales seem to understand this best - not everyone can have a happy ending. That's an important lesson for children to learn.
I really like this version, because it's a capella or without accompaniment (instrumentation), for those not familiar with the term. The Agonist has a female singer and she sings all the parts in the song that would normally be played by an orchestra. I think the singer who did this particular version was Alissa White-Gluz and she has a very clean, clear soprano voice. I've always been jealous of sopranos. Yes, altos and mezzos sound very soulful, but sopranos always sound ethereal and ghostly. And they can hit those ridiculously high notes. Fucking bitches.
