When does romance become political?
More specifically, when do romantic lyrics become political?
The key is not what the author meant--"authorial intent"--but in what the audience understands (i.e. interpretation). Context is a moveable feast. For example, John's Stewart's "Anna on a Memory" (released in August, 1967) was clearly not written about Anna Nicole Smith (born November 28, 1967, three months after the song came out), but could be applied to her (as we see in the video).
Isn't original intent better, if not downright definitive? Not always. Lennie Gallant swears he didn't intend "Which Way Does the River Run" (one of the most beautiful "place songs" ever written) to be about any particular city. He became convinced by fans that it could only be about Winnipeg, aka "Windypeg": the first city you encounter when leaving Ontario, entering Cree country, a city divided by the Red River, which runs north, not south (as many believe).
Let's consider the lyrics to today's offering, minus the choruses (which are often nonsensical la-la-las or irrelevant references anyway), within the confines of a political discussion forum:
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| Songwriter Lennie Gallant. |
more than likely, your defences will fall
more than likely, you will see my side
more than likely, I'll be justified
so why am I shaking in my shoes
more than likely, you are all alone
more than likely, staring at your telephone
so why am I shaking in my shoes
I'm risking everything we had
to hold onto my pride
when more than likely you would like me more less dignified
I heard about the man who waits for us to fall
oh it's more than likely
he is also waiting for your call
more than likely, I will play it cool
more than likely, 'cause I am no one's fool
so why am I shaking in my shoes
Isn't it easy to infer that this is a conversation with/about the current "Hold-My-Beer" "president"? Hasn't their prophetic and ambiguous nature improved the lyrics since 1997, when the song was released?
Lyrics:
more than likely, you will make the call
more than likely, your defenses will fall
more than likely, you will see my side
more than likely, I'll be justified
so why am I shaking in my shoes
when more than likely
you're missing me just like I'm missing you
more than likely, you are all alone
more than likely, staring at your telephone
so why am I shaking in my shoes
when more than likely
you're missing me just like I'm missing you
I'm risking everything we had
to hold onto my pride
when more than likely you would like me more less dignified
I heard about the man who waits for us to fall
oh it's more than likely
he is also waiting for your call
more than likely, I will play it cool
more than likely, 'cause I am no one's fool
so why am I shaking in my shoes
when more than likely
you're missing me just like I'm missing you
when more than likely
you're missing me just like I'm missing you
more than likely . . .
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