|
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2006
Some Insights
"I Don't Believe" is partly about faith, or the lack thereof. That's what the bit about the broker is focused on: "He hoped that my faith was not shaken." And that ties neatly to the title. This doesn't explain, "My children are laughing / Not a whisper of care...." Where that fits, I ain't got a clue. And the "Maybe's the exit..."?
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2006
I've got my teeth deep into "Northeast" and "I Don't Believe." Both obviously about religion, and neither taking an obvious position. Separating Simon's views from Simon's character's views is difficult, at best. In the last analysis, it may not even be important. Simon's brilliance as an artist does not confer on him any authority as a theologian.
MONDAY, JANUARY 01, 2007
"I Don't Believe," Structure
Though this be madness
Yet there be method in't.
(Polonius, Hamlet Act II, Scene 2)
I've just finished the annotation of "I Don't Believe." Wow! This is a meticulously organized structure!
instrumental intro
1a) "Acts of kindness, ... " Music simple, tonic/dominant alternation.
1b) "But I don't believe ... " Same music, but add minor chords.
2) "The earth was born ... " prehistory in Cm11.
3) "I got a call from my broker ..." also in Cm11.
Now each musical section repeats.
4a) "Oh, guardian angel...." repeats 1a
4b) "I don't believe a heart can be filled ..." repeats 1b
5) "Maybe the heart is part of the mist...." repeats 2
6) "I got a call ... " repeats 3
Ends with reprise of 1.
7a) "Acts of kindness, ... " repeats 1a
7b) "I don't believe ... " repeats 1b
instrumental coda
At CrackingTheSimonCode.org I've put up a page of reviews. For example, at EW.com, Chris Williams wrote, "'I Don't Believe' is practically an album unto itself: ... Most artists spend entire careers covering less territory."
The color bands in the annotations were one of the rare ideas I've had that actually worked as planned. 1a and 1b are in blue, 1b slightly darker than 1a. 2 is green, 3 is red. Then the colors repeat as the music repeats. It really shows the structure well. This one's at www.CrackingTheSimonCode.org/lyrics/i3.html . Couldn't have written this blog without it.
I'm not about to post the cracking as I've still not understood two bits. Can anyone help with "To pantomime prayers with the hands of the clock"? I think that you would pantomime prayer by pressing palms together in front of chest, fingers pointing up, head bowed. But "with the hands of a clock"?
|
