What if I
I can't move around?
(Around)
What if I
I can't move around?
(Around, around)
If people can share a collective illusion, then why not a collective mondegreen? The 'waterfall' section of No Association certainly qualifies. The lyrics are missing from the cd foldout and the chairpage; they're reprinted above per Gracenote. Were they a late addition or omitted on purpose? They seem to be driven by feelings of claustrophobia, no doubt generated by overzealous fans and media.
The song is the best testament, IMO, to Daniel's confusion and anger during the early years. It never quite takes aim, but spatters the music industry, media, fans and maybe even classmates.
No one seems to like you
Abuse Me churns the same theme, but with a bit more finesse. Daniel stated that the song was about learning to discard criticism, which would point to the media - certainly, they weren't his favourite people. Brave words, but I don't think Daniel followed his own advice.
Lost my soul, lost my confidence in me
Can't be something but I'll try
The third in this subset of 'angry young man' songs is Slave. Like 'No Association', it suffers from drama overload in parts, but rescues itself with difficult, fragmentary passages like the one above. Musically, the song speeds to an ending that is pure grunge, perhaps a joke on us - he's giving his audience exactly what it wants.
Here's your warning
I'll give you click, click, boom
With Cemetery, he finally gives us the complete story. To become something of his own, and more importantly, discover who and what that is, is the yearning behind the song. This was his warning, as the lyrics state, of the unravelling that took place over the next few years. Like 'Ana's Song' on the NB tour, 'Cemetery' seemed to be intensely emotional and difficult in performance for him.
I'm alone while you're having fun
You have faith while I feel none
Sleep till late to waste half the day
But I'm happy to live this way
----------
Now I gotta dump you
Continue my life too
I tried to help you
Don't care what you do
Along with 'Petrol & Chlorine', The Closing was one of the last songs written for the album, apparently following a period of depression that was, according to Ben, at least partly caused by Ben's new girlfriend. You, then, is almost certainly Ben (which must have made it as much fun to perform as No Doubt's 'Don't Speak', if you know the history of that song).
In that light, Pop Song for Us Rejects becomes rather ironic; much of the co-dependency described could easily apply to the people around Daniel (and perhaps he realised it; silverchair hasn't done this song in concert since March 1999). Some of Ben's comments during the NB tour ("All you could say was, well, I hope he works it out") indicate a load of frustration and anger with his friend, and that's exactly what Daniel describes in 'Pop Song'. As a side reference, the song became associated with a friend who died in 1997, evidently due to drugs or possibly suicide (I've read fan chatter about the latter, but I don't know if it's true or simply a misunderstanding).
Finally, a bit of trivia: the original title of 'Pop Song', as it was setlisted for the show at the Paradiso in Amsterdam in March 1996, was 'Out of Tune'.
Next stop: Neon Ballroom
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Frogstomp Lyrics
Won't you come with me to a place in a little town
The only way to get there's to go straight down
Let's start with much-maligned Tomorrow. I can understand why the band is sick of the song (though IMO, it's mostly Daniel - Chris once said that the crowd's enthusiasm puts energy back into the old songs). Still, 'Tomorrow' should hardly make them cringe with shame. Hundreds of lyricists have written songs with this theme; few have done so with such subtlety.
I'll kill myself from holding my breath
In retrospect, it's clear that the I in Suicidal Dream is Daniel. This song has taken a bit of a beating, too, and it's equally undeserved. I'm not sure if Daniel himself knew what he was writing, but it's much more complex than it appears on the surface.
The first verse is childish, exactly what you would expect from a fourteen-year-old - but it's not quite that simple. This is what a kid in pain is feeling and thinking: They'll be sorry when I'm dead. At this stage, it's an idle daydream, punctuated by the very ineffective (and petulant) method of suicide at the end of the verse.
In the second verse, however, things get much more serious. The playground taunts have been absorbed and are believed to be true. Suicide becomes less a method of revenge than a way out of pain, and the method becomes very real. To underscore the increasing desperation of the lyrics, the music spirals into frantic intensity at the end of the song.
IMO, Daniel's always had a real problem separating himself from the opinions of others, and a lot of his depression and anorexia resulted from an inability to truly shrug off the critics, whether they were press or schoolmates. Taking the criticism to heart, there was nothing to do but disappear - one way or another.
I hate you and your apathy
You can leave, you can leave, I don't want you here
I'm playing this pantomime
But I don't see you showing any signs of fear
Almost fifteen years later, Israel's Son is still something of a mystery. Daniel's original explanation for it was flippant, and I don't think he's ever given us more insight. At songmeanings.net, posters have speculated that the victim in the song is Christ, while others relate it to hostilities between Israel and Palestine. Whatever Daniel's true intent, it's loaded with imagery, punctuated by the gun-cocking crack of the drums and the helter-skelter ride to the end.
Next: Freak Show
The only way to get there's to go straight down
Let's start with much-maligned Tomorrow. I can understand why the band is sick of the song (though IMO, it's mostly Daniel - Chris once said that the crowd's enthusiasm puts energy back into the old songs). Still, 'Tomorrow' should hardly make them cringe with shame. Hundreds of lyricists have written songs with this theme; few have done so with such subtlety.
I'll kill myself from holding my breath
In retrospect, it's clear that the I in Suicidal Dream is Daniel. This song has taken a bit of a beating, too, and it's equally undeserved. I'm not sure if Daniel himself knew what he was writing, but it's much more complex than it appears on the surface.
The first verse is childish, exactly what you would expect from a fourteen-year-old - but it's not quite that simple. This is what a kid in pain is feeling and thinking: They'll be sorry when I'm dead. At this stage, it's an idle daydream, punctuated by the very ineffective (and petulant) method of suicide at the end of the verse.
In the second verse, however, things get much more serious. The playground taunts have been absorbed and are believed to be true. Suicide becomes less a method of revenge than a way out of pain, and the method becomes very real. To underscore the increasing desperation of the lyrics, the music spirals into frantic intensity at the end of the song.
IMO, Daniel's always had a real problem separating himself from the opinions of others, and a lot of his depression and anorexia resulted from an inability to truly shrug off the critics, whether they were press or schoolmates. Taking the criticism to heart, there was nothing to do but disappear - one way or another.
I hate you and your apathy
You can leave, you can leave, I don't want you here
I'm playing this pantomime
But I don't see you showing any signs of fear
Almost fifteen years later, Israel's Son is still something of a mystery. Daniel's original explanation for it was flippant, and I don't think he's ever given us more insight. At songmeanings.net, posters have speculated that the victim in the song is Christ, while others relate it to hostilities between Israel and Palestine. Whatever Daniel's true intent, it's loaded with imagery, punctuated by the gun-cocking crack of the drums and the helter-skelter ride to the end.
Next: Freak Show
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Kids are Right
(On tour with Local H and silverchair)
01) Local H Mocks silverchair's 'Tomorrow' 1995
Sense of humour strongly recommended. As one viewer notes, Local H played this version of 'Tomorrow' in Ft Lauderdale while touring with the 'chair, so I don't think the guys were miffed. (And they hate this song, anyway.)
02) Local H Mosh while silverchair Plays
silverchair plays 'Minor Threat' in Atlanta on May 2, 1997. Local H run onto the stage. Chaos ensues. Unfortunately, it's hard to hear the vocals on this, but it's worth watching for a cute moment near the end when Scott Lucas joins Daniel on the mic.
03) Local H Slam Dances while silverchair Plays 1997
St Petersburg, FL, May 3, 1997, 'Minor Threat' again. Tongue by Ben.
04) Scott Lucas of Local H and Daniel Johns of silverchair Play
This is either Dallas, May 7th, or Santa Monica, May 12th. Scott plays 'Paranoid' with Daniel balanced on his shoulders (and screaming in his ear).
05) silverchair Plays Prank on Local H 1997 San Francisco
RHCP were a terrible influence on silverchair. San Francisco, May 13, 1997.
06) silverchair Plays Local H's 'Bound for the Floor' as a Joke
San Francisco, May 13, 1997 - a very nasal version of 'Bound for the Floor', a rather tame attempt to trash Susan Robertson's hotel room (she's so cute about it), and a tipsy Daniel.
01) Local H Mocks silverchair's 'Tomorrow' 1995
Sense of humour strongly recommended. As one viewer notes, Local H played this version of 'Tomorrow' in Ft Lauderdale while touring with the 'chair, so I don't think the guys were miffed. (And they hate this song, anyway.)
02) Local H Mosh while silverchair Plays
silverchair plays 'Minor Threat' in Atlanta on May 2, 1997. Local H run onto the stage. Chaos ensues. Unfortunately, it's hard to hear the vocals on this, but it's worth watching for a cute moment near the end when Scott Lucas joins Daniel on the mic.
03) Local H Slam Dances while silverchair Plays 1997
St Petersburg, FL, May 3, 1997, 'Minor Threat' again. Tongue by Ben.
04) Scott Lucas of Local H and Daniel Johns of silverchair Play
This is either Dallas, May 7th, or Santa Monica, May 12th. Scott plays 'Paranoid' with Daniel balanced on his shoulders (and screaming in his ear).
05) silverchair Plays Prank on Local H 1997 San Francisco
RHCP were a terrible influence on silverchair. San Francisco, May 13, 1997.
06) silverchair Plays Local H's 'Bound for the Floor' as a Joke
San Francisco, May 13, 1997 - a very nasal version of 'Bound for the Floor', a rather tame attempt to trash Susan Robertson's hotel room (she's so cute about it), and a tipsy Daniel.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Desert Island silverchair
What's on your playlist?
01) Silverchair - 1. Intro + Emotion Sickness (Dusseldorf)
(Dusseldorf Apr 4, 1999) Daniel was such a mess when he did this concert, but gods, his voice!
02) Silverchair - Israel's Son (Live @ MuchMusic)
(MuchMusic-Toronto Feb 4, 1997) This is such a tight, clean version. Listen for the ecstatic 'Chris! Fuck!' from someone in the audience at the start - nice to see Chris properly appreciated for once.
03) Silverchair - Abuse Me (Live In Melbourne)
(Melbourne Aug 12, 1999) Daniel grew so much as a singer in between Freakshow and Neon Ballroom, and this version really shows it.
04) Silverchair - 1. Intro + Slave (The Palace)
(Melbourne Jan 28, 1997) The change in tempo at 3:52 kills me every time.
05) Silverchair - 6. Ana's Song (Rockpalast: Dusseldorf)
(Dusseldorf Apr 4, 1999) Have I raved about Daniel's voice enough yet?
06) Silverchair - 7. Suicidal Dream (Rockpalast: Dusseldorf)
(Dusseldorf Apr 4, 1999) The keyboards really add something to this song, particularly at the end when it gets frantic.
07) Silverchair - Cemetery Live @ Stockholm 1997
(Stockholm Waterfest Aug 13, 1997) You can find better sound and video quality - this is a fan recording - but the performance is just so raw and heartfelt. Listen for the break in his voice at 3:19-20.
08) Silverchair - Point of View (Live Melbourne 1999)
(Melbourne Aug 12, 1999) This is such a beautiful song, and even better live.
09) Silverchair - 8. Paint Pastel Princess (Rockpalast)
(Dusseldorf Apr 4, 1999)
10) Silverchair - Madman (Live Melbourne 1999)
(Melbourne Aug 12, 1999) Daniel is seriously off his chain here.
11) Silverchair - Tomorrow (Live on Electric Ballroom, 02.08.99)
(London Feb 8, 1999) Another fan recording that has fairly decent sound quality. I actually have an .mp3 for the solo version performed at Myrtle Beach, and it's better, but there's no video for it.
12) Silverchair-Miss You Love
This is one of the few songs for which I prefer the studio to the live version.
13) Silverchair - 6. The Door (Bizarre, 1997)
(Cologne Bizarrefest Aug 16, 1997) They had a lot of technical problems at this show, but Daniel's voice was really excellent.
14) Silverchair - 2. Pure Massacre (Bizarre, 1997)
(Cologne Bizarrefest Aug 16, 1997)
15) Silverchair - Freak (Live @ MuchMusic)
(MuchMusic-Toronto Feb 4, 1997)
16) Silverchair - Untitled "Godzilla Soundtrack"
Lovely fan video.
17) Silverchair - Anthem For The Year 2000
Another one I like better on the album than live.
18) Silverchair - 8. No Association (The Palace)
(Melbourne Jan 28, 1997) This is such a sharp version, musically.
19) Silverchair - 9. Lie To Me (The Palace)
(Melbourne Jan 28, 1997)
20) Silverchair - Pop Song For us Rejects (Stockholm)
(Stockholm Waterfest Aug 13, 1997) Again, it's a fan recording, but I really like Daniel's voice on this version.
21) Local H MOSH while SILVERCHAIR plays...
silverchair plays 'Minor Threat' in Atlanta on May 2, 1997. Local H run onto the stage. Chaos ensues. Unfortunately, it's hard to hear the vocals on this, but it's worth watching for a cute moment near the end when Scott Lucas joins Daniel on the mic.
22) Silverchair-Tomorrow Live at Much Music
(MuchMusic-Toronto Feb 4, 1997) Guh. Daniel's just amazing here. The guitar solo will kill you.
01) Silverchair - 1. Intro + Emotion Sickness (Dusseldorf)
(Dusseldorf Apr 4, 1999) Daniel was such a mess when he did this concert, but gods, his voice!
02) Silverchair - Israel's Son (Live @ MuchMusic)
(MuchMusic-Toronto Feb 4, 1997) This is such a tight, clean version. Listen for the ecstatic 'Chris! Fuck!' from someone in the audience at the start - nice to see Chris properly appreciated for once.
03) Silverchair - Abuse Me (Live In Melbourne)
(Melbourne Aug 12, 1999) Daniel grew so much as a singer in between Freakshow and Neon Ballroom, and this version really shows it.
04) Silverchair - 1. Intro + Slave (The Palace)
(Melbourne Jan 28, 1997) The change in tempo at 3:52 kills me every time.
05) Silverchair - 6. Ana's Song (Rockpalast: Dusseldorf)
(Dusseldorf Apr 4, 1999) Have I raved about Daniel's voice enough yet?
06) Silverchair - 7. Suicidal Dream (Rockpalast: Dusseldorf)
(Dusseldorf Apr 4, 1999) The keyboards really add something to this song, particularly at the end when it gets frantic.
07) Silverchair - Cemetery Live @ Stockholm 1997
(Stockholm Waterfest Aug 13, 1997) You can find better sound and video quality - this is a fan recording - but the performance is just so raw and heartfelt. Listen for the break in his voice at 3:19-20.
08) Silverchair - Point of View (Live Melbourne 1999)
(Melbourne Aug 12, 1999) This is such a beautiful song, and even better live.
09) Silverchair - 8. Paint Pastel Princess (Rockpalast)
(Dusseldorf Apr 4, 1999)
10) Silverchair - Madman (Live Melbourne 1999)
(Melbourne Aug 12, 1999) Daniel is seriously off his chain here.
11) Silverchair - Tomorrow (Live on Electric Ballroom, 02.08.99)
(London Feb 8, 1999) Another fan recording that has fairly decent sound quality. I actually have an .mp3 for the solo version performed at Myrtle Beach, and it's better, but there's no video for it.
12) Silverchair-Miss You Love
This is one of the few songs for which I prefer the studio to the live version.
13) Silverchair - 6. The Door (Bizarre, 1997)
(Cologne Bizarrefest Aug 16, 1997) They had a lot of technical problems at this show, but Daniel's voice was really excellent.
14) Silverchair - 2. Pure Massacre (Bizarre, 1997)
(Cologne Bizarrefest Aug 16, 1997)
15) Silverchair - Freak (Live @ MuchMusic)
(MuchMusic-Toronto Feb 4, 1997)
16) Silverchair - Untitled "Godzilla Soundtrack"
Lovely fan video.
17) Silverchair - Anthem For The Year 2000
Another one I like better on the album than live.
18) Silverchair - 8. No Association (The Palace)
(Melbourne Jan 28, 1997) This is such a sharp version, musically.
19) Silverchair - 9. Lie To Me (The Palace)
(Melbourne Jan 28, 1997)
20) Silverchair - Pop Song For us Rejects (Stockholm)
(Stockholm Waterfest Aug 13, 1997) Again, it's a fan recording, but I really like Daniel's voice on this version.
21) Local H MOSH while SILVERCHAIR plays...
silverchair plays 'Minor Threat' in Atlanta on May 2, 1997. Local H run onto the stage. Chaos ensues. Unfortunately, it's hard to hear the vocals on this, but it's worth watching for a cute moment near the end when Scott Lucas joins Daniel on the mic.
22) Silverchair-Tomorrow Live at Much Music
(MuchMusic-Toronto Feb 4, 1997) Guh. Daniel's just amazing here. The guitar solo will kill you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
