Final Analysis: Forbidden Love Through Indie Music

    I chose these three songs because on the surface they all sound completely different, but upon further inspection they all cover similarly flawed relationships. I chose Is There Somewhere because this picturesque song puts a glamorous yet terribly sad spin on being the "other girl" It also shows the speaker and other person openly giving into their  irrational feelings unlike Sex where the speaker frequently attempts to push away these feelings, as well as the girl he’s interested in. It shows how harmful being the second choice can be to someone and their mental health. I chose Sex mainly based on its tone. Usually songs from this perspective, like Is There Somewhere, have a somber and longing tone, but this song is an acception. Unlike others, it shows extreme frustration and anger for the situation at hand. Finally, I selected  9 Crimes because it’s formatted as a girl flashing back to a relationship ruined by the kind of relationship discussed in Sex and Is There Somewhere. Also its simplicity lends itself to giving off tension and hostility that comes with a rough breakup. There’s one very apparent thing in all of these songs; none of the people involved are happy. No one in these situations are moderately happy about it. Everyone is either internally conflicted, desperately pining over someone who doesn’t feel the same or extremely angry for the same reason. This kind of love is seen as forbidden for this reason. It may seem like a good idea but only results in emotional harm to all involved. In the end, each song shares the same moral; forbidden love never ends well for anyone.

9 Crimes by Damien Rice ft. Lisa Hannigan (Forbidden Love Through Indie Music Song 3)

9 Crimes by Damien Rice ft. Lisa Hannigan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgqOSCgc8xc

Leave me out with the waste

This is not what I do

It's the wrong kind of place

To be thinking of you

It's the wrong time

For somebody new

It's a small crime

And I've got no excuse

Is that alright?

Give my gun away when it's loaded

Is that alright?

If you don't shoot it how am I supposed to hold it

Is that alright?

Give my gun away when it's loaded

Is that alright

With you?

Leave me out with the waste

This is not what I do

It's the wrong kind of place

To be cheating on you

It's the wrong time

She's pulling me through

It's a small crime

And I've got no excuse

Is that alright?

I give my gun away when it's loaded

Is that alright?

If you don't shoot it, how am I supposed to hold it

Is that alright?

I give my gun away when it's loaded

Is that alright

Is that alright with you?

Is that alright?

I give my gun away when it's loaded

Is that alright?

If you don't shoot it, how am I supposed to hold it

Is that alright?

If I give my gun away when it's loaded

Is that alright

Is that alright with you?

Is that alright?

Is that alright?

Is that alright with you?

Is that alright?

Is that alright?

Is that alright with you?

No…

    9 Crimes utilizes metaphors, repetition and tone to create a hostile environment of a couple trying to reassemble from the wreckage of an infidelity. The metaphor of a “small crime” is used to represent the infidelity of the man in the relationship. It’s also used for the woman looking for someone new after the relationship ended. It seems to be a crime in the sense that this couple had guidelines that they’ve now broken. The other metaphor present that is used throughout the song is referencing guns. The gun seems to represent the heart or love. In the second stanza, the phrase “give my gun away when it’s loaded” means that he significant other has thrown her love away when it was strongest and ready to be felt. The phrase used later on “if you don’t shoot it, how am I supposed to hold it?’ I interpret as meaning if he doesn’t accept her love or reciprocate it, how is she supposed to continue feeling this way about him? This is assured by the fact that earlier in the song she feels guilty, but continues to look for someone who will accept her feelings instead of pushing them aside for another girl. Finally, tone holds great importance to this song. The song begins softly with somber expression. However the song builds into a whirlwind of chorales and flying emotions. The music then quickly dies down at the end, almost to represent the falling out and finally the final nail in the coffin of the relationship. This song perfectly portrays the aftermath of a forbidden love which goes on to blow an irreparable hole into a once stable love.

Sex by The 1975 (Forbidden Love Through Indie Music Song 2)

Sex by The 1975: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUPtt8RAKkY

And this is how it starts

Take your shoes off in the back of my van

Yeah my shirt looks so good,

When it's just hanging off your back

And she said, "Use your hands and my spare time—

We've got one thing in common, it's this tongue of mine."

She said

She's got a boyfriend anyway

there's only minutes before I drop you off

All we seem to do is talk about sex

She's got a boyfriend anyway

She's got a boyfriend anyway

I loved your friend when I saw his film

He's got a funny face

But I like that 'cause he still looks cool

She's got a boyfriend anyway

She's got a boyfriend anyway

Now we're on the bed in my room

And I'm about to fill his shoes

But you say no

You say no

Does he take care of you

Or could I easily fill his shoes?

But you say no

You say no

And now we're just outside of town

And you're making your way down

She's got a boyfriend anyway

She's got a boyfriend anyway

And I'm not trying to stop you love

If we're gonna do anything we might as well just fuck

She's got a boyfriend anyway

She's got a boyfriend anyway

You've got your tongue pierced anyway

You're in your high tops any day

You're in your skinny jeans anyway

You and your fit friends anyway

I'd take them all out any day

They've all got backcombs anyway

You've all got boyfriends anyway

    Sex covers infidelity from the same point of view as Is There Somewhere, from the eyes of the hopelessly falling single person. Through repetition, idioms and tone, this song tells a story of a girl in a relationship set in conflict. The phrase, “she’s got a boyfriend anyway” is repeated throughout the song almost as a personal motto of the speaker. It’s used in attempts to discourage the speaker from romantically engaging with this girl, however its efforts seem futile. The idiom of “filling someone else’s shoes” doesn’t literally mean to put on their shoes, but to be in their place. It is used in this song to say that the speaker is getting closer to this girl and is about to take her boyfriend’s place in her heart and by her side. However, she is quick to bat away these feelings with a harsh “no” This heightens the speaker’s blatant frustration with the subject of his affection, represented from his tone. The words are spat unhappily, sounding something like an angry thought filled voicemail recorded out of spite. The phrase “I’m not trying to stop you, love” is said in an almost patronizing way, saying that he’s not trying to stop her from returning to her boyfriend, but clearly implying he’ll be unhappy if she does. Unlike Is There Somewhere, this song covers almost the exact same situation but with a completely different outlook.

Is There Somewhere By Halsey (Forbidden Love Through Indie Music Song 1)

Is There Somewhere by Halsey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=686SmDtBOu8

You were dancing in your tube socks in our hotel room,

Flashing those eyes like highway signs.

Light one up and hand it over, rest your head upon my shoulder.

I just wanna feel your lips against my skin.

White sheets, bright lights, crooked teeth, and the night life.

You told me this is right where it begins.

But your lips hang heavy underneath me.

And I promised myself I wouldn't let you complete me.

I'm trying not to let it show, that I don't want to let this go.

Is there somewhere you can meet me?

'Cause I clutched your arms like stairway railings.

And you clutched my brain and eased my ailing.

You're writing lines about me; romantic poetry.

Your girl's got red in her cheeks, 'cause we're something she can't see.

And I try to refrain but you're stuck in my brain.

And all I do is cry and complain because second's not the same.

I'm sorry but I fell in love tonight.

I didn't mean to fall in love tonight.

You're looking like you fell in love tonight.

Could we pretend that we're in love?

I'm sorry but I fell in love tonight.

I didn't mean to fall in love tonight.

You're looking like you fell in love tonight.

Could we pretend that we're in love?

   Is There Somewhere tells a story of a couple made for casual hook-ups, but trouble is made when one of the lovers’ feelings progress. Repetition, imagery and similes paint this late night hazy picture of a hotel room teeming at the brim with tension. Halsey has said the song is about loving someone in a relationship and knowing she’s the second choice, but pretending that they’re truly in love with her, even if that isn’t the case. The song lacks a typical structure of verses, choruses and a bridge. It seems more like a flow of consciousness blurred by love. In the first stanza, the simile “flashing those eyes like highway signs” is used to compare this person’s eyes to road signs. I believe she’s comparing the brightness and glowing quality of this person’s eyes to the way highway signs reflect at night. This goes along with the idea that when someone is in love, the subject of their affection seems infinitely more appealing. She was hypnotized by this person, saying “I clutched your arms like stairway railings” She held onto him so fiercely, I imagine in the way I cling onto the railing as I make my final way up the stairs to go to bed after a long day. Also, imagery sets the scene for this inappropriate encounter. The images of “white sheets, bright lights, crooked teeth and the nightlife” perfectly creates the image of this secretive late night meeting. Finally, repetition is used in the last two stanzas of this song to show the speaker’s feelings towards this other person. The lines repeat phrases about both the speaker and other person falling in love. It shows that the speaker is particularly hung up on this person and can’t knock her feelings for them. This song practically writes a short film itself, depicting a late night meeting between forbidden lovers in a clean white hotel room while neon signs from outside bleed onto the walls, floors and bodies occupying the space.

Final Analysis: Mental Illness Through Alternative Music

    The genre of alternative music is extremely diverse along with its subject matter and tone. This is clearly shown in each of these songs, as they cover a similar issue in entirely different ways and tones. I initially chose Goner as the first song of this analysis because it appears as a typical song about depression. Both sad and angry, plenty of poetic devices are used along with a weak and struggling tone to put listeners in the shoes of someone struggling with depression. I went on to choose Swim because its the complete opposite of Goner. Its use of an extended metaphor of pulsing tides drowning victims to represent depression is the most accurate depiction of depression I’ve come across. However, the song holds an optimistic outlook that the others don’t. These qualities made Swim stand out among other songs covering a similar topic. Finally, I chose Camisado because it’s a song I’ve listened to for years but never quite understood. I knew vaguely of the subject matter being discussed, but I never took the time to break down the song’s devices to further understand the narrative being told. Through further inspection as well as some research on the song’s writer, I was able to break down the story being told. It made me pay more attention to songs I may have in the past just listened to but didn’t further invest in. These three songs cover the same issue in varying ways, because depression is different for most who suffer through it. Some find it easier to tackle while others struggle from day to day, and others are taken as prisoners by it. Each of these songs tell different stories of this mental illness in a way that shows depression’s profound diversity.

Breakup Songs

The Only Ones Who Know by Arctic Monkeys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-seRFY7-cw

U.N.I. by Ed Sheeran: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-seRFY7-cw

    The Only Ones Who Know begins with somber guitar chords and gloomy string instruments to set the overall tone of the song. The speaker speaks of a another man stealing his lover. While most songs of this subject are bitter and hateful, this one breaks that mold. The lyrics are sung in a quiet and reserved that make the song simply feel sorrowful and longing for what once was. However, the speaker wishes the new couple the best, saying “and I hope you’re holding hands by New Year’s Eve” The speaker seems forgiving of this man because unlike most speakers in the same situation, he seems to understand that there wasn’t anything he could do to keep her, and the events have shown him that it wasn’t meant to be. Tragically beautiful and brief, this song pulls heartstrings like few others.

    U.N.I. covers a topic many can relate to. Sheeran speaks of breaking up with his girlfriend as she has to attend school away from him, as well as him being on tour. The lyrics imply that the relationship ended long ago, but he hasn’t managed to get past it. Lines implying this include referencing his heavy drinking and smoking weed. The second verse is almost delivered as a rap, making the words seem like an improvised stream of consciousness regarding this lost love. To further indicate that Sheeran hasn’t gotten over this girl include the bridge of the song where he states that he would take her in his harms to shelter her from the pain he caused. This song softly captures the struggles of a break up under poor circumstances.

Angry Songs

Do Me A Favor by Arctic Monkeys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_-JPegrOK8

Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying by Fall Out Boy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kiYevm-DX4

    Do Me A Favor is a perfect breakup song. Angry, confused and upset all once, this ties up all the emotions of heartache. However the build up to an ultimate rage filled ending makes the song perfect for angry listeners. The words “perhaps f*** off might be too kind” can be applied to anyone the listener is thinking for and allows them to more closely connect to the song. Its a perfect “angrily looking out the car window as you drive down the highway” kind of song. Overall this song flawlessly captures the emotions of a rough breakup of young love through its lyrics, volume and tone.

    Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying epitomizes teen anger at its best. Raw, passionate and not entirely dignified, the song seems unjustly rageful. The lyrics don’t mention much to point to a specific reason for anger. This allows listeners to reflect their personal issues onto the song and enjoy it as their own. However, the chorus is specifically bitter. “I know this hurts, it was meant to” is spat in such a tone that could get any listener fired up about whatever situation they are in.  Perfectly sour and unrelenting, Get  Busy Or Living Or Get Busy Dying is perfectly rage filled and great for revelling in your personal anger.

Top Ten Songs (in no specific order)

1. Me And Bobby McGee by Janice Joplin: The tone used in this song expresses shows her love for her significant other. The vivid imagery used throughout the song puts you in her shoes and makes you feel her emotions. The song has an enchanting tone of nostalgia.
2. American Pie by Don McClean: This labyrinth of a song is full of poetic devices highlighting multiple narratives through its duration. Historical allusions give the tune it’s legacy. It’s many intricacies and memorable melody makes it an unforgettable song.
3. Yellow Submarine by The Beatles: A classic almost everyone knows, the playful imagery of this song paints a child like image. Understood by few but adored by many, Yellow Submarine is an excellent song through and through.
4. Sympathy For The Devil by The Rolling Stones: A classic rock song that has withstood the test of time, “Sympathy” is told from the point of view of the devil himself. Its inspired symbolism and poetic devices make this song complicated yet still enjoyed by classic rock fans everywhere.
5. Killing Me Softly With His Song by Roberta Flack: This extended musical metaphor is deep yet easily comprehended. The vocalist clearly portrays a love slowly dying at the hands of her man. Still a break up anthem to this day, “Killing Me Softly” remains relevant today.
6. Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell: Both Sides Now utilizes parallelism to express her knowledge of the many hard truths of life. Along with similes and metaphors Mitchell’s lyrics show the vulnerability of humans everywhere.
7. You’re Lost Little Girl by The Doors: While the lyrics are simple and repetitive, its the repetition that makes the song haunting and memorable. While seemingly arbitrary, depth can be found in these lyrics by young women who feel lost in the world, unsure of what path to take in life.
8. California Dreamin by Mamas and Papas: A classic restyled and revamped uncountable times, California Dreaming says what everyone on the east coast is thinking in the winter. It’s timeless idea of breaking away from gray dull life to reach that golden state is one that allows this song to withstand the the test of time.
9. Irreplaceable by Beyonce: An anthem for independent women who don’t need no man everywhere, Irreplaceable is well... irreplaceable. Beyonce’s vocal range and passionate tone come from a place of hurt and sincerity, allowing women in bad breakups to understand and relate with her. A hymn of empowerment to hurting women everywhere, Irreplaceable is an unforgettable song.

The End by The Doors: An extremely intricate song that would take years to completely understand, The End is an excellent song. Depending on where you are in life, it could symbolize the end of a relationship, the end of an era, or just the end. Painfully tragic as Morrison’s life ended early, the song takes on another kind of end in an amazing way.

Camisado by Panic! At The Disco: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eabB6yG6TvA

The I.V. and your hospital bed

This was no accident

This was a therapeutic chain of events

This is the scent of dead skin on a linoleum floor

This is the scent of quarantine wings in a hospital

It's not so pleasant

And it's not so conventional

It sure as hell ain't normal

But we deal, we deal

The anesthetic never set in and I'm wondering where

The apathy and urgency is that I thought I phoned in

It's not so pleasant.

And it's not so conventional

It sure as hell ain't normal

But we deal, we deal

Just sit back, just sit back

Just sit back and relax

Just sit back, just sit back

Just sit back and relapse again

Can't take the kid from the fight

take the fight from the kid

Sit back, relax

Sit back, relapse again

Can't take the kid from the fight

take the fight from the kid

Just sit back, just sit back

You're a regular decorated emergency

You're a regular decorated emergency

This is the scent of dead skin on a linoleum floor

This is the scent of quarantine wings in a hospital

It's not so pleasant.

And it's not so conventional

It sure as hell ain't normal

But we deal, we deal

The anesthetic never set in and I'm wondering where

The apathy and urgency is that I thought I phoned in

It's not so pleasant.

And it's not so conventional

It sure as hell ain't normal

But we deal, we deal

Can't take the kid from the fight

take the fight from the kid

Sit back, relax

Sit back, relapse again

Can't take the kid from the fight

take the fight from the kid

Just sit back, just sit back

Sit back, sit back, relax, relapse

Sit back, sit back, bababada

You can take the kid out of the fight

You're a regular decorated emergency

The bruises and contusions will remind me what you did when you wake

You've earned a place atop the ICU's hall of fame

The camera caught you causing a commotion on the gurney again

You're a regular decorated emergency

The bruises and contusions will remind me what you did when you wake

You've earned a place atop the ICU's hall of fame

The camera caught you causing a commotion on the gurney again

Can't take the kid from the fight

take the fight from the kid

Sit back, relax

Sit back, relapse again

Can't take the kid from the fight

take the fight from the kid

Just sit back, just sit back

Sit back, sit back, relax, relapse

Sit back, sit back, bababada

You can take the kid out of the fight

The I.V. and your hospital bed

This was no accident

This was a therapeutic chain of events

    Camisado by Panic! At The Disco is from the point of view of someone affected by another’s mental illness. Alcoholism is a mental illness dominating people’s lives across the world and taking victims along the way. The use of imagery, metaphors and wordplay are used to portray the speaker’s apathy towards his alcoholic father. The imagery of “dead skin on the linoleum floor” and “the scent of quarantine wings in a hospital” puts you in the shoes of the speaker back at the hospital once again, no longer sad for the health of his father but angered by his stupidity and belligerence, careless enough to end up there once again. the metaphor of his father as an “emergency” a “regular decorated” one no less, paints his father as an accident waiting to happen. It shows that he lacks sympathy for his father’s illness, because he clearly doesn’t do much to take care of it. Another metaphor used is “I’m wondering where the apathy and urgency is that I thought I phoned in” This doesn’t mean he literally called for these things but that his emotions towards his father’s state are vacant and he can’t seem to find a reason to care. Wordplay is used to further express the speaker’s anger and his father’s state. As a spin on the phrase “sit back relax” the lyrics “sit back, relapse” is used to refer to his father’s relapse into alcoholism and depression. This song was written by bassist, Ryan Ross, about his alcoholic abusive father. His father has passed away, I believe before the song was written. Songs penned by Ross from the album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, seem to have a motif of angst and nothing but aggression and apathy towards his father. The disease of alcoholism is treated as something that ruins lives but the issue is not solely blamed on the disease. His father is not viewed as a victim, but as someone who isn't trying to stay clean. Overall, the mental illness is seen as an awful thing, but the victim depicted is viewed as much worse.