Songs that Make You Hurt So Good

Although I was planning on doing a 'blast from the past' 60's type post, I decided that I needed to write about songs that musically and lyrically get down to the core of one's soul. Without trying to sound super emo, I believe that there's a song out there for everyone that brings out some kind of emotion whether nostalgic, confused, happy, etc. The songs I've chosen are so beautiful, they're heartbreaking. The first song is actually a cover (which is another subject I will post about at some point). Jose Gonzalez's rendition of "Heartbeats" (off the album Veneer) might be incredibly different from the original by the Knife, but it's just as good if not better...probably one of the most beautiful/best covers out there. While the original is very rhythmic, electronic, and almost dance like, Jose Gonzalez changes the texture, making it poignant, thoughtful, and gentle. To hear the original as a point of comparison, click HERE. Anyway, here it is...please read the lyrics for this one (and the video is pretty cool too, ignore the Sony Bravia ad, though)). I'd recommend a tissue (yes, I'm being serious).



Lyrics to Heartbeats :
(A-Section)
One night to be confused
One night to speed up truth
We had a promise made
Four hands and then away

Both under influence
We had divine scent
To know what to say
Mind is a razor blade

(Chorus/B-Section)
To call for hands of above
To lean on
Wouldn't be good enough
For me, no

(a-Section)
One night of magic rush
The start a simple touch
One night to push and scream
And then relief

Ten days of perfect tunes
The colors red and blue
We had a promise made
We were in love

(Chorus/B-Section)
To call for hands of above
To lean on
Wouldn't be good enough
For me, no

To call for hands of above
To lean on
Wouldn't be good enough

(C-Section/Bridge)
And you, you knew the hands of the devil
And you, kept us awake with wolf teeth
Sharing different heartbeats
In one night

(Chorus/B-Section)
To call for hands of above
To lean on
Wouldn't be good enough
For me, no

To call for hands of above
To lean on
Wouldn't be good enough
For me, no

The intro of this song is just a simple guitar motive that literally stays the same (harmonically and melodically) the entire song, except for what I labeled the "C-Section/bridge." Although this song is so simple and there really isn't that much to analyze, it's just so beautiful. Sometimes, it's the simplest of songs that get the mark. It's just vocals and guitar, and that's all it needs. It's not very rhythmically driven like the majority of songs that I've posted, but it isn't meant to be. It just flows so well.

Even though the guitar line is repetitive, this song doesn't get boring. There's a certain build from section to section. One of my favorite parts in the song is at the end of the C-Section where there's this chordal "confusion" in the guitar which just leads back to the last statement of the chorus (B-Section). Now the C-Section deserves some explaining because it is a much needed departure from the rest of the song. The harmony and melody both change to fit this departure, but I think this section is mostly present to really set up the last statement of the chorus. The harmony kind of waivers until you really hear the V-I cadential motive into this chorus.

In terms of the lyrics...it's important to note that the Knife (who wrote the original version, remember) are Swedish and it's my belief that some of the lyrics didn't translate well (ex. "Mind is a razor blade"). I really hope that didn't sound mean. But, by keeping that in mind, this can account for its obscurity. Although, I somewhat like the obscurity because it allows for it to mean different things to different people. However you take it, I believe it's a love song (torrid lover affair gone wrong, perhaps?). Despite some of the confusing imagery in this song, it is very sweet. In many ways it makes you smile and sob at the same time.

The next song I want to share is straight out of the 1960s/70s. Now, this blog isn't just about "newer" music, but all good music. I feel that this group, Crosby, Stills, and Nash (and Young), deserve so much credit in being able to create beautiful music through their amazing use of harmony. It's truly some of the most beautiful harmony you'll ever hear. Anyways, this song is entitled ''Helplessly Hoping" from CSN(Y)'s self titled debut album in 1969. Though the lyrics are beautifully heartbreaking, the harmony only exacerbates this painful sentiment. Take a listen:



Lyrics to Helplessly Hoping:
(A-Section)
Helplessly hoping
Her harlequin hovers nearby
Awaiting a word
Gasping at glimpses
Of gentle true spirit
He runs, wishing he could fly
Only to trip at the sound of good-bye

(a-Section)
Wordlessly watching
He waits by the window
And wonders
At the empty place inside
Heartlessly helping himself to her bad dreams
He worries
Did he hear a good-bye? Or even hello?

(B-Section)
They are one person
They are two alone
They are three together
They are for each other

(a-Section)
Stand by the stairway
You'll see something
Certain to tell you confusion has its cost
Love isn't lying
It's loose in a lady who lingers
Saying she is lost
And choking on hello

(B-Section)
They are one person
They are two alone
They are three together
They are for each other

Like the previous song "Heartbeats," this song remains so simple: all it is are vocals and guitar. Nothing rhythmic about it. This just goes to show that even the most simplest of songs can create the most power and meaning. As I've said before, the most beautiful thing about this song other than the lyrics is the harmony in the vocals. It's like velvet. Their voices just mesh so well and the intonation (disregarding studio techniques) is so in tune, it's heavenly. It also ends, just the way it begins: with a lovely strumming guitar.

What's interesting about this song is that it doesn't really have a main chorus. The B-Section, which is usually the chorus in rock music (or in this case folk), is really more of a bridge to the next section, or a concluding statement (the B-Section is the last thing stated in the song). This plays very well throughout. Also, the B-Section is the only place within the song that has a real diatonic center. Though the previous sections are very tonal, I would say that they're much more modal in terms of an established key.

The lyrics in this song are not meant to be over looked. Obviously it involves some kind of "love hurts" sentiment, but the lyrics just flow so well and offer a very poignant view on lover's pain. They're so honest because everyone at one time or another has these feelings of confusion, loss, love and desperation. I'm not a poetry expert, but the lines like "choking on hello," and "helplessly hoping her harlequin hovers nearby," are just so melodious and clever to not only listen to, but to say. These lyrics could stand alone as a simple poem, but the it's the lyrics added with the harmony melody that truly makes this song come alive.

Anyways, that's all for now. I expect all of you to be crying tears of heartbreak/joy after listening to these gems.