Sunday, December 5, 2010

Limitations of Language

contributed May 10, 2010

I have always done my best to communicate clearly and succinctly whenever possible.  People speak different languages all over the world.  People who speak the same language often use words differently; the connotations and denotations are different and they can change over time as well.  I believe I have covered this topic in this space but I wanted to mention it again because of the importance to my blog for today.

It seems to me with all the creative ability that artists in this world possess there should never be a need to repeat what someone else said exactly.  And yet, they do.  Recording artists borrow from each other, they quote each other, they argue with one another, and they do it with their songs all the time.  They seem to squabble over who said what, and who did what first.

What do think of, and how do you feel when I say the expression

HEAD DOWN.

Does it mean something to you?  How many different ideas come to mind when you think about the expression composed of those two words?

Two music groups I have listened to quite a bit over the years have songs with the same title.  Look it up and you will find several songs with this title.  Interesting, huh?

Consider these two view points.



SOUNDGARDEN - HEAD DOWN

We see you laugh
We see you dance
We take that away
Every day

We see you cry
We turn your head
Then we slap your face

We see you try
We see you fail
Some things never change

We hear you cry
We hear you wail
We steal that smile from your face

Bow down to live
Your life
Head down, hide that smile
Head high got to smile

Head high like a song you like



NINE INCH NAILS - HEAD DOWN

You
What you looking at?
Head down
Too late for that
What you want
What you get
Know your place
Don't ever forget

And this is not my face
And this is not my life
And there is not a single thing here
I can recognize
This is all a dream
And none of you are real
I'll give anything
I'll give anything

Hey you
What you running from?
All your hate
What you've become
Bet you didn't think
It would happen to you
All used up
Half way through

And this is not my face
And this is not my life
And there is not a single thing here
I can recognize
This is all a dream
And none of you are real
I'll give anything
I'll give anything

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