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icepixieOne more link from my ongoing Suzanne Vega renaissance: "Marlene on the Wall" (re-recorded version). I was never a huge fan of the original--it was catchy, and it would get caught in my head, but not because I really liked it. But this one makes it like a whole new, much better song, for some reason. (*cough* Possibly that reason is that I finally got it explained to me that the "Marlene on the wall" is a poster of Marlene Dietrich that was hanging on her wall when she wrote the song.)
I have yet to figure out exactly what's going on it, though. My current theory is that it's from the perspective of someone who would very much like to be in casual relationships and/or be a femme fatale a la Dietrich, but can't help having FEELINGS explode in her face. It's vague enough that it could be entirely the opposite, though.
However, the one that is still getting the most play in my iTunes is "Undertow," which I just love to bits, haunting as it is. There appear to be competing theories as to its meaning:
1.) Vega herself says that she meant it to be from the perspective of a real undertow, as in the ocean current. The internet at large laughs at this.
2.) The internet at large thinks it's about anorexia, and they have a very compelling case I tend to believe, especially given all the sharp/thin imagery in the verses.
3.) I'm still kind of attached to the idea that it's from the perspective of a serial killer and/or cannibal.
4.) A case could be made for it being about writing metaphorically consuming an author as they reveal their innermost selves, which is perhaps the most cheerful interpretation.
I desperately want to vid this song, but I can't think of a dark enough canon to do it with. Maybe BSG, but I can't face the idea of rewatching that whole show. It could possibly be an Americans vid about spies losing themselves in their cover identities, but I dunno, I'm not really feeling it. Perhaps something could be made about becoming a role onstage in Slings & Arrows, but...eh, not sure.
On the other hand, the first disc of Orphan Black came today from Netflix, so depending on how dark that is, it might work! (I know nothing about it besides "clones" and "people whose taste I trust are hooked on it.")
I have yet to figure out exactly what's going on it, though. My current theory is that it's from the perspective of someone who would very much like to be in casual relationships and/or be a femme fatale a la Dietrich, but can't help having FEELINGS explode in her face. It's vague enough that it could be entirely the opposite, though.
However, the one that is still getting the most play in my iTunes is "Undertow," which I just love to bits, haunting as it is. There appear to be competing theories as to its meaning:
1.) Vega herself says that she meant it to be from the perspective of a real undertow, as in the ocean current. The internet at large laughs at this.
2.) The internet at large thinks it's about anorexia, and they have a very compelling case I tend to believe, especially given all the sharp/thin imagery in the verses.
3.) I'm still kind of attached to the idea that it's from the perspective of a serial killer and/or cannibal.
4.) A case could be made for it being about writing metaphorically consuming an author as they reveal their innermost selves, which is perhaps the most cheerful interpretation.
I desperately want to vid this song, but I can't think of a dark enough canon to do it with. Maybe BSG, but I can't face the idea of rewatching that whole show. It could possibly be an Americans vid about spies losing themselves in their cover identities, but I dunno, I'm not really feeling it. Perhaps something could be made about becoming a role onstage in Slings & Arrows, but...eh, not sure.
On the other hand, the first disc of Orphan Black came today from Netflix, so depending on how dark that is, it might work! (I know nothing about it besides "clones" and "people whose taste I trust are hooked on it.")
